Resort Executive Chef

westgate resorts; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

401(k) with company match

Daily pay

Tuition assistance

Career growth opportunities

Employee assistance program

Wellness programs

Job summary

Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa in Gatlinburg, TN, seeks a Resort Executive Chef to provide overall culinary leadership for the resort’s Southern Comfort Restaurant and related outlets. You will direct kitchen operations, menu development, and staff performance to ensure consistent, high‑quality dining experiences.

You will lead menu development, maintain food safety standards, and partner with Food & Beverage leadership to deliver guest satisfaction while controlling costs and maintaining

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive experience in a culinary leadership role.
• Working knowledge of applicable laws, codes, and F&B regulations.
• Excellent communication skills in English; Spanish is a plus; ability to present information clearly.

Responsibilities

• Oversee culinary operations across outlets, banquets, and catering, ensuring quality and guest satisfaction.
• Lead menu development and cost evaluations to drive profitability.
• Collaborate with Food & Beverage leadership to deliver exceptional guest experiences and maintain brand standards.
• Manage labor costs, staffing, schedules, and vendor/invoice oversight.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and health regulations.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Budget management

Staff development

Cost controls

Menu development

Food safety

English fluency

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Company Description

Adjacent to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most-visited national park in the country, Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, provides an amazing work environment with refreshing mountain breezes and spectacular views of the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains. As a member of the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort team, you will meet and engage with guests who have arrived to enjoy all the Great Smoky Mountains have to offer and help them experience our world-class amenities such as the state-of-the-art Wild Bear Falls water park. As part of Westgate Resorts, recognized by U.S. News as one of the Best Companies to Work For, you’ll be joining a team committed to excellence and creating unforgettable vacation experiences and supporting your career growth where you are or at 60+ resorts across the company.

Job Description

What You'll Do as a Resort Executive Chef:

As a Resort Executive Chef at Westgate Resortsyou areresponsible for providing overall culinary leadership for a our Southern Comfort Restaurant, ensuring consistent, high-quality food production across diverse kitchens and dining concepts. This role oversees menu development, food quality standards, kitchen operations, staff development, financial performance, and compliance with all health and safety regulations. The Executive Chef partners closely with Food & Beverage leadership to deliver exceptional guest experiences, maintain strong cost controls, and uphold the resort’s brand, culinary identity, and service vision. This position manages all kitchen and culinary staff, ensuring cohesive operations.You will demonstrateWestgate’s core values of Passion, Integrity, and Work Ethicin every interaction with guests and team members.

• Oversee all culinary operations across outlets, banquets, and catering, ensuring alignment with quality, presentation, and guest satisfaction standards.
• Lead menu development and engineering, conducting regular sales analysis and cost evaluations to drive profitability.
• Collaborate with outlet managers to ensure seamless kitchen and service coordination.
• Implement and uphold departmental action plans, standard operating procedures, and contingency plans.
• Attend departmental and leadership meetings to align on resort and culinary initiatives.
• Comply with all CFI policies and procedures and represent Westgate Resorts in a professional manner through appearance, dress, and behavior at all times.
• Participate in company budgeting, forecasting, and departmental goal-setting initiatives.
• Manage labor costs and kitchen staffing, creating and approving schedules to ensure operational efficiency and guest satisfaction.
• Analyze and approve invoices, requisitions, and food purchasing activities in line with budget and quality expectations.
• Ensure compliance with beverage and food cost control procedures.
• Maintain accurate and timely department reporting, cost analysis, and budget planning data.
• Keep accurate recipes, inventory controls, ordering procedures, and standardized operating manuals for all kitchen operations.
• Conduct performance evaluations, deliver training programs, and provide coaching and corrective action in accordance with company policies.
• Support and reinforce team recognition and reward programs that promote engagement and high performance.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and health standards through routine inspections and adherence to company and government regulations.
• Monitor and evaluate food preparation methods, presentation, and portion control to maintain consistency and guest satisfaction.
• Provide exceptional guest service by addressing concerns and managing special requests or dietary needs with urgency and professionalism.
• Assist with hands‑on cooking and food production during peak times or events.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

What You'll Bring:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED).
• 7years of progressive experience in a culinary leadership experience and or/training equivalent role.
• Working knowledge of all applicable laws, codes, and F&B regulations.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to read, write and speak English fluently, Spanish is a plus. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from team members, managers, clients, owners/guests, and the public. Collaborate with clients, F&B Director, and sales to outline and contribute to BEO’s.
• Strong general management skills, including time management, information analysis, planning and organizing, decision making, problem solving and delivery of results.
• Strong financial management skills, including budget management, expense control, forecasting, inventory management, ordering and analysis of financial statements.
• Strong people management skills, including coaching, motivating, delegating, scheduling and relationship building.
• Must be able to lift and move up to 50 lbs. while performing the duties of this job.
• Must be flexible in working when needed and when business demands, including weekends, evenings, and holidays.

If you love creating clean, welcoming spaces for guests and want to be part of a resort that values teamwork, growth, and great service.

Additional Information

Why Westgate?

• Comprehensive Health Benefits – Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Paid Time Off – Vacation, Sick, and Personal Time to Recharge
• Paid Holidays
• 401(k) with Generous Company Match to Support Your Future
• Daily Pay – AccessYour Earnings When You Need Them
• Family‑Focused Benefits – Pregnancy, Parental Leave, and Adoption Assistance
• Wellness Programs to Support Your Well‑Being
• Flexible Spending Accounts(FSA)
• Tuition Assistance to Help You Grow Your Career
• Military Leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Support When You Need It Most
• Life, Disability, Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Insurance
• Pet Insurance for Your Furry Family Members
• Loyalty Program – Exclusive Discounts on Hotels, Cruises, Resorts, Restaurants, Entertainment, and More
• Low‑Cost Gym Membership
• NEW! David A. Siegel Legacy Scholarship– Up to $40,000 for Team Members’ Dependents
• Career Growth and Advancement Opportunities
• Community Involvement – Give Back and Make an Impact

Westgate Resorts is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status or any other protected status under federal, state or local law. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to complete your application or any part of the recruiting process, please email [e-mail] with the job title and the location of the position for which you are applying.

This job posting is intended to provide a general overview of the position and may not include every responsibility, duty, or qualification required. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.