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Executive Chef Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

Edited by Indeed Employer Content Team
Last updated November 6, 2025
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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8 min read

An 580894269executive chef50.41chef43.04sous chef5.84chef manager4.33kitchen manager4.0228463928998131000.0082471.17156000.00YEARLY1430577422025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Executive Chef, or Head Chef, is responsible for overseeing kitchen staff and ensuring the quality of food items. Their duties include hiring and training staff to cook their dishes, expediting orders to maintain a steady flow of dishes and creating dishes to add to the menu.

Executive Chef duties and responsibilities

Executive Chefs complete a variety of creative, organizational and leadership tasks to ensure a kitchen runs optimally and patrons’ meals are satisfactory. Their responsibilities frequently include:

  • Developing unique and cuisine-appropriate menus
  • Collaborating with the Restaurant Manager to set item prices
  • Staying current on developing trends in the restaurant industry
  • Maintaining the kitchen and surrounding areas in conditions that meet the company standards and health code regulations
  • Monitoring inventory and purchasing supplies and food from approved vendors
  • Hiring, training and supervising kitchen staff
  • Assisting and directing kitchen staff in meal preparation, creation, plating and delivery
  • Identifying and introducing new culinary techniques
  • Preparing meals and completing prep support as needed

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Executive Chef Job Description Examples

Example 1

Pepper's Landing has an opening for an Executive Chef. We are seeking an Executive Chef at our Rochester NH location an individual who has a passion for culinary arts and possesses great leadership skills to join the growing team. We source many of our ingredients from local purveyors and use only the highest quality available. Our ideal candidates for Executive Chef will have at least 6 years experience and be willing to input ideas into the creation of our daily special menu items, possess a fun and personable attitude, are punctual and have reliable transportation.

The Executive Chef's responsibility is to directly manage all back of house functionality of the business; direct the preparation of food, help the kitchen team in the preparation of food items and set up stations for food service. This is a working Chef position. This position must be able to prepare food quickly to the set specifications and standards while maintaining hygienic practices.

The Executive Chef also arranges, prepares and break downs the stations of the kitchen, storage areas and refrigerators. And makes sure all are maintained at the beginning and end of every day/night. This person will be capable of supervising the team independently.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Inventory and ordering.
  • Schedule employees / Hire/ Discipline
  • Oversee/set up stations and collect all necessary supplies to prepare menu for service
  • Prepare a variety of foods; meat, seafood, poultry, vegetable, and cold food items
  • Arrange sauces and supplementary garnishes for allocated station
  • Cover, date and correctly store all bits and pieces and food prep items
  • Think on your feet
  • Serve menu items compliant with established standards
  • Use food preparation tools in accordance with manufactures instructions
  • Close the kitchen correctly and follow the closing checklist for kitchen stations
  • Maintain a prepared and sanitary work area at all times
  • Keep the work area fresh all through the shift
  • Make sure all storage areas are tidy and all products are stored appropriately
  • Constantly use safe and hygienic food handling practices
  • Returns dirty food preparation utensils to the appropriate areas
  • Assist with all duties as assigned

Qualifications:

  • Prior line cook and supervisory experience in a fast paced, high intensity setting.
  • Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively.
  • Be able to reach, bend, stoop and frequently lift up to 50 pounds.
  • Be able to work in a standing position for long periods of time.
  • Must have exceptional hygiene and grooming habits.
  • Must have reliable transportation to and from work.
  • Must have knife skills.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $60,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:
  • 401(k)
  • Dental insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Vision insurance
Experience level:
  • 5 years
Pay rate:
  • Yearly pay
Supplemental pay types:
  • Bonus pay
Weekly day range:
  • Every weekend
  • Monday to Friday
  • Rotating weekends
  • Weekend availability
Work setting:
  • Bar
  • Casual dining restaurant
  • Upscale casual Location: In person

Example 2

Hyatt Regency Wichita is excited to announce an exceptional career opportunity for an experienced Executive Chef. Qualified candidates will be driven to succeed, posses excellent multitasking, interpersonal and communication skills with the desire to develop people and culture while having strong culinary background and a passion for food and the guest experience. In addition to advanced culinary skills, this individual must have experience in cost controls and take full ownership and responsibility for all culinary operations. We are looking for an Executive Chef that will set us apart from our competition with their culinary creativity and commitment to excellence. This position reports directly to the General Manager is participates as a member of the Executive Committee.

Description

The Executive Chef is responsible for overseeing all culinary functions for the hotel. This position will work continually to improve guest and employee satisfaction while maximizing the financial performance in all areas of responsibility. The Executive Chef must ensure that sanitation and food standards are achieved. Areas of responsibility include overseeing all food preparation areas (e.g. banquets, room service, restaurants, bar/lounge, perks market, employee cafeteria) and all support areas (e.g., dish room, purchasing).

Key Responsibilities:

  • Managing cost controls and controlling expenditures for the account
  • Planning and creating seasonal menus
  • Purchasing and managing inventory
  • Rolling out new culinary programs in conjunction with marketing, banquets and culinary team

Other Duties include:

  • Leads kitchen management team (Sous Chef and Culinary Supervisors)
  • Provides direction for all day-to-day operations
  • Ensures property policies are administered fairly and consistently
  • Reviews staffing levels to ensure that guest services and operational needs and financial objectives are met.
  • Develops implements guidelines and control procedures for inventory
  • Manages department controllable expenses including food costs, supplies, uniforms and equipment
  • Participates in the budgeting process for areas of responsibility
  • Knows and implements brand standards
  • Demonstrating new cooking techniques and equipment to staff
  • Ability to instill safety and sanitation habits in all employees.
  • Teach culinary team the importance of consistency in preparation and presentation
  • Displays leadership in guest hospitality, exemplifies excellent customer service and creates a positive atmosphere for guest relations
  • Responds to and handles guests problems and complaints
  • Thorough knowledge of food handling and preparation techniques
  • Ensure that level of quality, portion control, and plate presentation is adhered to consistently
  • Coach and counsel employees to reflect Hyatt service standards and procedures

Qualifications

  • A minimum of 3-5 years of high volume Executive Chef experience required
  • Culinary Arts Degree, equivalent experience and training will be considered
  • Certified Executive Chef preferred
  • Prior experience in hospitality culinary management.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of hotel F&B/Culinary function.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of banquet operations.
  • Demonstrated skills in leading a diverse team with varying degrees of experience.
  • Ability to teach and inspire team members to be their best every day.
  • Must have a flexible schedule to work during days, nights, weekends, and some holidays as needed

At Hyatt, we believe our guests select Hyatt because of our caring and attentive associates who are focused on providing efficient service and meaningful experiences. Hyatt associates work in an environment that demands exceptional performance, yet reaps great rewards. Whether it's career opportunities, job enrichment or a supportive work environment, if you are ready for this challenge, then we are ready for you.

Ruffin Riverfront Hotel, LLC is an equal employment opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, disability, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship status or any other group protected by law.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $80,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:
  • 401(k)
  • Dental insurance
  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Vision insurance
Experience level:
  • 5 years
Shift:
  • Day shift
Weekly day range:
  • Monday to Friday
  • Weekends as needed
Work setting:
  • Hotel
  • Upscale casual restaurant



Experience:
  • Culinary experience: 5 years Location: In person

Example 3

Hightop Hospitality, a restaurant and catering group in the twin cities, is looking to add an Executive Corporate Chef to our team. Responsibilities may include training and development of kitchen managers and team members, quality assurance checks at our store locations, new store opening training, assistance in menu development and execution of catering events. This is a full-time salaried position that will involve some travel to our various restaurant locations throughout MN, WI, AZ and the Dakotas.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • 3+ years of kitchen manager or executive chef experience in a similar concept
  • 1+ years of multi-unit leadership experience (preferred)
  • Strong knowledge of restaurant industry operations, safety, and sanitation standards
  • Strong communication skills with ability to motivate employees and obtain positive results
  • Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills, results-oriented, and customer-focused
  • The ability to work with a high degree of independence
  • Strong analytical and decision-making skills
  • Ability to work flexible hours and travel between assigned restaurants
  • ServSafe Certification (preferred)
  • Microsoft Office Suite proficiency (Word, Excel, PP)

We offer:

Competitive annual salary

401k with company match

Health and dental benefits

Short term/long term disability insurance

Life insurance

Paid vacation + five personal days per year

Company laptop

Cell phone stipend

Company logoed gear

Annual personal pizza party for up to 100 people enjoy for yourself or gift to your favorite non-profit organization

Annual anniversary dinner reimbursement enjoy a night out on us during your work-iversary month every year

Annual weekend hotel getaway for you and your family up to $200 value

About Us:

At Hightop Hospitality, we know the restaurant, catering, and event businesses. We are a team of passionate industry-leading professionals committed to genuine hospitality. Each of the Hightop Hospitality brands is developed and supported by one of the most experienced hospitality teams in the upper Midwest. With a tireless dedication to the highest standards and unparalleled industry knowledge, our team is the driving force for over 40 successful restaurants and catering companies including Green Mill Restaurant & Bar, Crooked Pint Ale House, The Copperfield, and more! Learn more about us at [website]

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:
  • 401(k) matching
  • Dental insurance
  • Disability insurance
  • Employee discount
  • Health insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off
Physical Setting:
  • Casual dining Location: Multiple Locations

Example 4

Hightop Hospitality, a restaurant and catering group in the twin cities, is looking to add an Executive Corporate Chef to our team. Responsibilities may include training and development of kitchen managers and team members, quality assurance checks at our store locations, new store opening training, assistance in menu development and execution of catering events. This is a full-time salaried position that will involve some travel to our various restaurant locations throughout MN, WI, AZ and the Dakotas.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • 3+ years of kitchen manager or executive chef experience in a similar concept
  • 1+ years of multi-unit leadership experience (preferred)
  • Strong knowledge of restaurant industry operations, safety, and sanitation standards
  • Strong communication skills with ability to motivate employees and obtain positive results
  • Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills, results-oriented, and customer-focused
  • The ability to work with a high degree of independence
  • Strong analytical and decision-making skills
  • Ability to work flexible hours and travel between assigned restaurants
  • ServSafe Certification (preferred)
  • Microsoft Office Suite proficiency (Word, Excel, PP)

We offer:

Competitive annual salary

401k with company match

Health and dental benefits

Short term/long term disability insurance

Life insurance

Paid vacation + five personal days per year

Company laptop

Cell phone stipend

Company logoed gear

Annual personal pizza party for up to 100 people enjoy for yourself or gift to your favorite non-profit organization

Annual anniversary dinner reimbursement enjoy a night out on us during your work-iversary month every year

Annual weekend hotel getaway for you and your family up to $200 value

About Us:

At Hightop Hospitality, we know the restaurant, catering, and event businesses. We are a team of passionate industry-leading professionals committed to genuine hospitality. Each of the Hightop Hospitality brands is developed and supported by one of the most experienced hospitality teams in the upper Midwest. With a tireless dedication to the highest standards and unparalleled industry knowledge, our team is the driving force for over 40 successful restaurants and catering companies including Green Mill Restaurant & Bar, Crooked Pint Ale House, The Copperfield, and more! Learn more about us at [website]

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:
  • 401(k) matching
  • Dental insurance
  • Disability insurance
  • Employee discount
  • Health insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off
Physical Setting:
  • Casual dining Location: Multiple Locations

Example 5

  • Job Purpose: The Executive Chef is primarily responsible for directing and overseeing the heart of-the-house operation and working closely with the leadership and events team, coordinating club, member special events, and private catering.

Duties and Responsibilities: Professional and courteous service includes:
  • Leads and manages culinary services
  • Maintains the highest professional food quality and sanitation standard
  • Develops and plans menus considering members, guests, marketing conditions, costs, and other applicable factors and oversees its execution
  • Sources and purchases of all necessary culinary supplies
  • Plans, coordinates, and oversees special events
  • Develops and monitors culinary and labor budget
  • Recruits, hires, and trains all kitchen and event staff
  • Establishes controls to minimize food and supply waste
  • Executes special projects as assigned, including Manager on Duty responsibilities as needed
  • Supervises Cooks and oversees the supervision of production
  • Provides employee meals, as required
  • Safeguards all food preparation by implementing training to increase staff's food handling knowledge and maintains A Health Scores
  • Prepares, manages, coordinates, and adheres to the food and beverage operating and capital budgets
  • Attends all food and beverage leadership meetings as directed
  • Completes alcohol awareness and food safety programs successfully within 30 days of hire
  • Conducts regular department staff meetings and training
  • Administers schedules, employee performance evaluations, coaching, and counseling sessions as needed
  • Works a variety of shifts, as required, including nights, weekends, and holidays
  • Complies with, reviews, and updates departmental policies and procedures and submits them for approval to the General Manager

Qualifications Experience, Competencies, and Education

Culinary degree or certificate from a central accredited Culinary Institute or equivalent. A minimum of 8 years of proven culinary experience in a leadership or management position with a proven track record as a manager in the hospitality industry.

Must demonstrate an advanced understanding of culinary arts, restaurant management, and public relations.

Ability to work independently and able to handle multiple priorities/projects at the same time. Must be punctual, reliable, and conscientious. Basic computer skills, MS Office suite including Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Physical Demands

An employee must meet the physical demands described here to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by the job include
close and distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
  • Standing and walking up to 90% of shift. Working on the computer up to
  • 25% of the time
  • Lifting, carrying, and/or moving up to 25 pounds
  • Pushing, pulling, bending, stooping, and upward reaching

Salary & Benefits: Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. The club offers an excellent bonus and benefits package, including educational allowance, medical insurance, and paid vacation.

Instructions on how to apply: Candidates should submit their cover letters and resumes.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $85,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year

Benefits:
  • Dental insurance
  • Food provided
  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Vision insurance
Physical Setting:
  • Bar
  • Casual dining restaurant
  • Fine dining restaurant
Schedule:
  • 8 hour shift
  • Every weekend
  • Holidays
  • Weekend availability
Supplemental Pay:
  • Bonus pay

Ability to commute/relocate:
  • Dana Point, CA 92629: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Experience:
  • Culinary experience: 8 years (Preferred)
  • Cooking: 8 years Location: One location
Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines
Job Description Best Practices
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What does an 580894269executive chef50.41chef43.04sous chef5.84chef manager4.33kitchen manager4.0228463928998131000.0082471.17156000.00YEARLY1430577422025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Executive Chef do?

Executive Chefs typically work for restaurants, but they can also work for catering businesses or private households. They use their culinary expertise and leadership abilities to maintain a clean and orderly kitchen environment. Their job is to promote food safety by teaching their staff about proper storage and shelf-life. They may also travel to meet with potential food suppliers and check the quality of their produce.

Executive Chef skills and qualifications

Executive Chefs use a variety of culinary skills and soft skills to lead kitchens and provide excellent meal service to patrons. These skills include:

  • Expert knowledge of the restaurant or organization’s cuisine
  • Advanced culinary skills including food preparation, flavor pairings and other cooking best practices
  • Ability to develop unique recipes
  • Current knowledge of trends in the restaurant industry
  • In-depth knowledge of federal, state and local food handling regulations
  • Comfortable training, directing and supervising kitchen staff
  • Exceptional leadership skills, including motivation and goal-setting
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Time management and organization

Executive Chef salary expectations

An Executive Chef makes an average of $66,177 per year. Salary may depend on a candidate’s level of experience, education and geographical location.

Executive Chef salary expectations

2025-10-0131000.0082471.17156000.00YEARLY
  • Common salary: 82471.17 YEARLY
  • Typical salaries range from 31000.00 - 156000.00 YEARLY
  • Find more information on Indeed Salaries

*Indeed data – 2025-10-01

Executive Chef education and training

Most Executive Chef candidates have completed a professional certification, diploma or degree in culinary arts, culinary science or pastry arts from a culinary school or technical college. Other candidates have completed their education through specialized apprenticeship or training programs, often those that teach both the basics of culinary creation and of a specific cuisine or cooking style. In addition to education, many candidates earn a ServSafe certification that demonstrates their understanding of best practices and regulations for safe food handling practices.

Executive Chef experience requirements

Depending on your organization, facility or restaurant, the experience required for an 580894269executive chef50.41chef43.04sous chef5.84chef manager4.33kitchen manager4.0228463928998131000.0082471.17156000.00YEARLY1430577422025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Executive Chef may vary. For new, up-and-coming restaurants, an experienced Executive Chef with more than five years of kitchen leadership experience may be desirable. Those looking for new ideas or willing to train the right candidate may consider candidates with less experience in leadership but a few years working as a Sous Chef or other cooking professional. Restaurants in a specialized cuisine or cooking style would benefit from candidates with years of experience and/or training in that cuisine or style.

Job description samples for similar positions

If you’re hiring for a different job related to Executive Chef, consider these examples as well:

Job Description Best Practices
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Frequently asked questions about Executive Chefs

Three individuals are sitting at a table with a laptop, a disposable coffee cup, notebooks, and a phone visible. Two are facing each other, while the third’s back is to the camera. The setting appears to be a bright room with large windows.

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