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Executive Chef – Chef-Driven Upscale Steakhouse | Eastern North Carolina
Lead the Kitchen. Create the Menu. Leave Your Culinary Signature.
We're conducting a confidential search on behalf of an established, independently owned upscale steakhouse in Eastern North Carolina to identify an accomplished Executive Chef who is passionate about scratch cooking, premium ingredients, and culinary creativity.
Unlike many corporate Executive Chef opportunities, this role offers genuine ownership of the culinary program. You'll have the opportunity to create seasonal menus, develop new recipes, build relationships with local vendors, and lead a talented kitchen while maintaining the restaurant's reputation for exceptional food and hospitality.
This is an opportunity for a chef who wants more than simply executing someone else's recipes. We're looking for a culinary leader who enjoys building teams, mentoring cooks, controlling costs, and creating memorable dining experiences through outstanding cuisine.
Compensation & Benefits
- $85,000 base salary
- Performance bonus (historically exceeding $18,000 annually)
- Total compensation potential exceeding $100,000
- Additional commission opportunity through banquet operations
- Two weeks paid time off
- Generous health insurance stipend
- Relocation assistance may be available for the right candidate
What You'll Do
- Lead all culinary operations for a chef-driven upscale steakhouse.
- Develop seasonal menus and create original recipes and features.
- Oversee a 100% scratch kitchen focused on premium quality and consistency.
- Manage hand-cut steak production and premium protein preparation.
- Recruit, hire, train, coach, and develop the culinary team.
- Oversee food purchasing, inventory, labor scheduling, recipe costing, and food cost management.
- Build relationships with major food distributors, local farmers, and specialty vendors.
- Partner with ownership on banquet execution and private dining events.
- Collaborate on food and wine pairing recommendations while maintaining exceptional guest experiences.
What We're Looking For
- Executive Chef, Executive Sous Chef, or Chef de Cuisine experience within an upscale casual, fine dining, or chef-driven restaurant.
- Strong scratch kitchen experience.
- Experience with premium steaks and high-quality protein fabrication.
- Proven menu development and seasonal culinary creativity.
- Strong financial acumen, including food cost, labor management, purchasing, and inventory control.
- Experience leading and developing high-performing culinary teams.
- Banquet experience and wine knowledge are highly desirable.
- Culinary degree preferred but not required.
Why You'll Love This Opportunity
- Creative freedom to design seasonal menus and culinary features.
- True ownership of the kitchen—not a corporate recipe-driven environment.
- Opportunity to work with premium ingredients in a respected independent restaurant.
- Strong compensation package with bonus potential exceeding six figures in total earnings.
- Ownership team committed to investing in long-term culinary leadership.
If you're interested in learning more about this confidential Executive Chef opportunity, we'd welcome the opportunity to have a confidential conversation.
JOB ID: 179069
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John Watson