Executive Chef

About Heidel House Hotel & Conference CenterHeidel House Hotel & Conference Center is built on a legacy of warm hospitality, exceptional guest experiences, and a commitment to excellence across all departments. Our culinary program plays a critical role in delivering memorable experiences for leisure guests, weddings, conferences, and local diners.As part of Lighthouse Hospitality Group, our mission is to elevate food quality, strengthen operational performance, and foster a culture where culinary leaders develop strong teams, maintain high standards, and operate with accountability, creativity, and integrity.Job SummaryIn alignment with Lighthouse Hospitality Group values, the Executive Chef provides strategic culinary leadership and operational oversight for all kitchen operations at Heidel House Hotel & Conference Center. This includes Oakwood Bar & Restaurant (fine dining), Waves Pub & Grill (casual dining), banquets, and special events.The Executive Chef is responsible for menu development, food quality, cost control, staff leadership, safety compliance, and collaboration with restaurant, banquet, and sales leadership to ensure a consistent, elevated culinary experience across all outlets.Decision-Making & Financial AuthorityAuthorized to approve food and kitchen-related purchases within established budget parameters and Lighthouse Hospitality Group purchasing proceduresResponsible for maintaining all food cost percentages, labor efficiency, and waste controls within targets established by the General Manager and Lighthouse Hospitality GroupParticipates in annual budgeting, forecasting, and all kitchen-related Profit & Loss reviewsAccountable for explaining budget variances and implementing corrective action plansCollaborates with Restaurant Director and Banquet Director on pricing strategies, menu costing, and operational efficienciesAll purchasing must follow Lighthouse Hospitality Group approval workflows, vendor standards, and documentation requirementsSupervisory ResponsibilitiesOversees hiring, training, scheduling, evaluation, and development of all kitchen staff, including Sous Chefs, Line Cooks, Prep Cooks, and Dish StaffEstablishes clear kitchen leadership structure, expectations, and accountabilityCoaches and mentors culinary leadership to support consistency, growth, and succession planningConducts coaching, counseling, and performance documentation in accordance with Lighthouse Hospitality Group HR standardsMaintains strict confidentiality regarding employee matters, recipes, financial data, and business strategyMust be available for a flexible schedule including early mornings, nights, weekends, holidays, and high-volume event periodsDuties and ResponsibilitiesCulinary Operations & QualityDevelops and executes menus for Oakwood, Waves Pub & Grill, banquets, weddings, and special eventsEnsures consistent execution, presentation, portioning, and flavor standards across all outletsLeads seasonal menu updates, specials, and culinary innovation aligned with brand and guest expectationsOversees recipe development, costing, and documentationEnsures timely preparation and execution for high-volume banquets and group eventsFinancial & Inventory ManagementManages food cost, waste reduction, and inventory controlsOversees ordering, receiving, storage, and rotation of all food productsConducts regular inventory counts and reconciliationsWorks closely with the Restaurant Director and Banquet Director to align menus with operational capacity and labor strategySafety, Sanitation & ComplianceEnsures compliance with all food safety, sanitation, and health department regulationsMaintains ServSafe standards and ensures all culinary staff are properly trainedOversees daily kitchen cleanliness, organization, and equipment maintenanceSupports safety inspections, incident reporting, and corrective actions as requiredLeadership & CultureModels Lighthouse Hospitality Group and Heidel House values through professionalism, accountability, and consistencyCreates a positive, disciplined kitchen culture focused on teamwork, respect, and developmentLeads daily line checks, pre-shift meetings, and training sessionsIdentifies operational improvement opportunities and presents solutions proactivelyInterdepartmental CollaborationPartners closely with the Restaurant Director, Banquet Director, Sales Team, and Front Office to ensure seamless guest experiencesCollaborates on event menus, tastings, and client meetings when appropriateWorks with Maintenance on kitchen equipment needs, repairs, and preventative maintenanceParticipates in leadership meetings, BEO reviews, and operational planning sessionsReporting & DocumentationMaintains accurate labor schedules, prep sheets, production plans, and inventory reportsEnsures all incidents, injuries, and food safety issues are documented per Lighthouse Hospitality Group standardsMaintains organized, compliant kitchen documentation including recipes, training materials, and safety logsRequired CompetenciesStrong culinary leadership with the ability to hold teams accountable consistentlyProven ability to manage food cost, labor, and high-volume executionExcellent organizational and time-management skillsCalm, solution-oriented decision-making under pressureStrong communication skills with both culinary and non-culinary teamsPassion for mentoring and developing kitchen talentEducation & ExperienceCulinary degree or formal culinary training preferredMinimum 5 years of progressive culinary leadership experienceHotel, multi-outlet, banquet, or fine-dining experience strongly preferredServSafe Food Protection certification required (or ability to obtain promptly)Technology & SystemsFamiliarity with recipe costing tools, inventory systems, and POS reportingComfortable using Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Excel-based reports, and digital kitchen logsAbility to adapt to evolving technology and reporting requirementsPhysical RequirementsMust be able to stand for extended periodsAbility to lift up to 50 pounds / 22.7 kilogramsAbility to traverse all kitchen, storage, and event spaces on propertyEmployment Disclaimer: This job description reflects the essential functions of the position but is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Responsibilities may evolve based on operational needs. Employment remains at-will and may be modified at any time by the company.