Executive Chef - Casual Italian

A popular, fast-paced Italian restaurant is seeking a talented and passionate Executive Chef to lead our kitchen team. Known for our vibrant atmosphere, scratch-made Italian dishes, and great selection of beer and wine, were looking for a chef who can bring flavor, leadership, and a people-first attitude to our back of house.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Executive Chef with a strong background in Italian cooking and a desire to lead a collaborative kitchen team. Our ideal candidate has a hands-on approach, takes pride in training and mentoring staff, and knows how to deliver consistent, high-quality food while managing costs and operations.

• Lead day-to-day kitchen operations in a busy, full-service Italian restaurant
• Develop and maintain seasonal Italian menus and weekly specials
• Ensure consistent food quality, portion control, and plating standards
• Train, coach, and motivate kitchen staff to maintain high performance
• Oversee inventory management, food costing, and labor control
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized kitchen in compliance with health regulations
• Collaborate with ownership and FOH management on service and event execution
• Participate in occasional off-site catering and private events

• 5+ years of experience in kitchen management
• 2+ years as an Executive Chef, Head Chef, or similar leadership role
• Proven success in managing food cost, labor cost, and BOH financials
• Strong leadership and communication skills; a patient and supportive trainer
• Background in Italian cuisine or Mediterranean-inspired cooking
• Experience with catering and event menus a plus

• Menu creation and pricing strategy
• Familiarity with Toast POS or similar systems
• Knowledge of baking or scratch desserts (e.g., tiramisu, panna cotta)
• Sourcing and utilizing fresh, local ingredients
• Light equipment maintenance and vendor coordination
• Community outreach or local fundraising experience

• 45-hour work week with true work-life balance
• Paid time off (10+ days in your first year)
• Holiday and special event bonuses
• Flexible scheduling
• 401(k) retirement plan
• A fun, supportive kitchen culture that feels like family