Restaurant Executive Chef de Cuisine

Royal Gorge Route Railroad

$90K — $100K *
Hospitality & Recreation
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Culinary degree preferred or equivalent professional experience
  • 5+ years of progressive leadership in upscale or fine dining kitchens
  • Experience as Executive Sous Chef, Chef de Cuisine, or Senior Sous Chef preferred
  • Strong understanding of modern culinary techniques
  • Excellent communication and organizational skills
  • Proven ability to coach, mentor, and inspire others

Responsibilities

  • Lead daily kitchen operations alongside the Executive Chef
  • Execute seasonal and evolving menus with precision and consistency
  • Ensure exceptional presentation, quality, and execution of every dish
  • Uphold the restaurant's culinary standards during every service
  • Hire, train, coach, and mentor culinary team members
  • Assist with inventory management and monitor food costs
  • Contribute creative recipe ideas while maintaining the restaurant's culinary vision

Benefits

  • 100% employer-paid medical, dental and vision insurance
  • 401(k) with up to 8% company match
  • Paid vacation and holidays
  • Employee housing options available
  • Professional development and continuing culinary education
  • Outstanding advancement opportunities within a growing hospitality organization
Full Job Description
Description:
Executive Chef de Cuisine

Reports To: Founding Executive Chef
FLSA Status: Full-Time | Salaried | Exempt
Compensation:$90,000-$100,000 annually
Relocation Assistance: Available for qualified candidates

Benefits
  • Competitive salary of $90,000-$100,000, based on experience
  • 100% employer-paid medical, dental and vision insurance
  • 401(k) with up to 8% company match
  • Paid vacation and holidays
  • Employee housing options available
  • Professional development and continuing culinary education
  • Outstanding advancement opportunities within a growing hospitality organization

Position Summary

The Executive Chef de Cuisine serves as the Founding Executive Chef's right hand and plays a critical leadership role in the daily operation of the kitchen.

This position combines hands-on culinary excellence with operational leadership. You'll help oversee all culinary operations, maintain the highest standards of food quality and consistency, mentor and develop the culinary team, and ensure every guest receives an exceptional dining experience.

We're looking for a chef who thrives in high-performance kitchens, leads by example, remains calm under pressure, and is passionate about building a culture of professionalism, accountability, and creativity.

Essential Responsibilities

Culinary Leadership
  • Lead daily kitchen operations alongside the Executive Chef
  • Execute seasonal and evolving menus with precision and consistency
  • Ensure exceptional presentation, quality, and execution of every dish
  • Uphold the restaurant's culinary standards during every service
  • Maintain excellence across all kitchen stations

Team Leadership
  • Hire, train, coach, and mentor culinary team members
  • Foster a positive, respectful, and performance-driven kitchen culture
  • Lead by example with professionalism, humility, and integrity
  • Assist with scheduling and labor management
  • Conduct training and ongoing performance development

Operations
  • Assist with inventory management, ordering, and receiving
  • Monitor food costs and minimize waste
  • Ensure proper product rotation and storage
  • Maintain kitchen cleanliness and organization
  • Oversee food safety, sanitation, and HACCP standards
  • Collaborate with leadership to improve systems and efficiencies

Culinary Excellence
  • Assist in menu development and seasonal features
  • Support recipe consistency and documentation
  • Evaluate products and ingredients for quality
  • Contribute creative ideas while maintaining the restaurant's culinary vision

Additional Duties
  • Support banquet, special event, and private dining operations
  • Participate in leadership meetings
  • Perform additional responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications
  • Culinary degree preferred or equivalent professional experience
  • 5+ years of progressive leadership in upscale or fine dining kitchens
  • Previous experience as Executive Sous Chef, Chef de Cuisine, or Senior Sous Chef preferred
  • Strong understanding of modern culinary techniques
  • Experience leading high-performing kitchen teams
  • Excellent communication and organizational skills
  • Proven ability to coach, mentor, and inspire others
  • Passion for hospitality and guest experience
  • Ability to perform successfully in a fast-paced environment

Current Food Safety Manager Certification (ServSafe or equivalent) required or ability to obtain upon hire.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate is:
  • A servant leader who enjoys developing people
  • Passionate about fine dining and elevated hospitality
  • Calm, composed, and decisive during busy service
  • Highly organized and detail-oriented
  • Financially responsible with strong food and labor cost awareness
  • Adaptable, creative, and eager to grow
  • Excited by the opportunity to build something lasting from the ground up

Working Conditions
  • Fast-paced fine dining kitchen
  • Exposure to heat, steam, sharp equipment, and kitchen noise
  • Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 pounds
  • Nights, weekends, and holidays required
  • Minimum 50-hour workweek

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