Italian Cuisine Executive Chef

We are seeking a passionate, experienced, and hands-on Executive Chef to lead the culinary program of a highly regarded Italian restaurant in Philadelphia. This is a key leadership role responsible for overseeing all kitchen operations, culinary execution, team development, and maintaining the highest standards of quality and hospitality.

The ideal candidate is a strong culinary leader with deep expertise in authentic Italian cuisine and the operational experience to manage a high-volume restaurant with significant private dining and event business. This individual should be a humble, collaborative leader who thrives in a team-driven environment and is committed to building something long-term.

Executive Chef Benefits and Compensation

• Bonus
• Benefits
• Paid Time Off
• Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates
• Opportunity to lead a respected Italian culinary program with significant growth potential
• Supportive ownership team focused on long-term success

Executive Chef Requirements & Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive culinary leadership experience, including Executive Chef, Chef de Cuisine
• Strong background in authentic Italian cuisine; Northern Italian experience highly preferred
• Experience working in Italy or significant exposure to Italian culinary traditions strongly preferred
• Proven ability to lead and develop a kitchen team of approximately 20 employees
• Experience managing high-volume operations with 150+ covers and private events
• Strong understanding of:
  • Food cost controls
  • Labor management
  • Inventory systems
  • Ordering and kitchen organization
  • Menu execution and consistency
• Ability to manage multiple simultaneous events, including large-scale buyouts
• Strong leadership presence with a calm, organized, and team-oriented approach
• Commitment to long-term growth and building a strong culinary culture

Executive Chef Preferred Background & Skills

• Experience in acclaimed Italian restaurants or refined culinary environments
• Hands-on expertise with:
  • Wood-burning grills
  • Wood-fired pizza ovens
  • Fresh pasta production
  • Extruded pasta
• Strong knowledge of traditional Italian ingredients, techniques, and regional cuisine
• Experience balancing elevated culinary standards with operational efficiency
• Ability to collaborate effectively with front-of-house leadership and ownership
• Strong mentorship skills with a focus on training and developing kitchen talent
• Experience overseeing private dining, events, and large-scale service execution
• Low-ego, collaborative leadership style with a focus on team success
• Desire to become a long-term culinary leader within the organization