Executive Chef - Upscale Italian
Cornelius, NC, United States
- Hospitality
- Full-time
- Executive Chef
- Italian Cuisine
- High-Volume Kitchen
The Executive Chef leads a high-volume Italian kitchen, focusing on scratch-made cuisine and team development within a professional, standards-driven restaurant group. This role requires strong leadership, culinary expertise in Italian food, and operational skills including inventory, scheduling, and cost controls. The position offers competitive salary, benefits, and emphasizes consistency, hospitality, and business acumen.
A respected, locally owned restaurant group in Charlotte is hiring an Executive Chef to lead a high-volume, scratch-made Italian kitchen. This group is known for consistent quality, chef-driven food, and a professional culture focused on standards, systems, and true hospitality.
This is a hands-on culinary leadership position for a chef who excels in Italian cuisine, thrives in fast-paced kitchens, and consistently develops stable, high-performing teams.
Executive Chef Salary and Compensation
• Base salary $85,000 to $95,000
• Structured monthly performance bonus
• 100 percent employer-paid medical and dental benefits
• PTO available after 6 months
• Company-paid life insurance
Executive Chef Requirements and Qualifications
• Minimum 4 years of leadership experience as an Executive Chef or Chef de Cuisine
• Strong knowledge of Italian cuisine, sauces, and foundational techniques
• Hands-on operator with urgency, organization, and composure in high-volume environments
• Proven success with ordering, inventory, scheduling, COGS, and labor controls
• Able to train and develop cooks and sous chefs with clear communication and accountability
• Skilled in food safety, sanitation, and inspection standards
• Professional communicator who leads by example and maintains consistent standards
Executive Chef Preferred Background and Skills
• Authentic Italian or Italian-American culinary background
• High-volume scratch-kitchen experience
• Solid tenure history with two years or more in most prior roles
• Experience in structured or multi-concept restaurant groups
• Proven ability to stabilize, strengthen, and develop back-of-house teams
• Strong business acumen and a focus on cost management and consistent execution
• Leadership style that blends standards, accountability, coaching, and calm under pressure
• Comfortable working with involved ownership that values structure and performance




