Executive Chef – Gattara Italian Restaurant
Location: Warwick Denver Hotel, Denver, Colorado
Department: Food & Beverage
Reports To: General Manager
Employment Type: Full-Time
About Warwick Denver & Gattara
Located in the heart of downtown Denver, Warwick Denver is a boutique luxury hotel and part of Warwick Hotels & Resorts. Gattara is the hotel's signature Italian restaurant, offering authentic regional Italian cuisine with contemporary influences, seasonal ingredients, handcrafted pastas, premium meats, seafood, and exceptional hospitality.
Position Summary
We are seeking a passionate, creative, and results-driven Executive Chef to lead Gattara Restaurant and oversee all culinary operations throughout the hotel, including breakfast, room service, banquets, catering, and special events. The Executive Chef will be responsible for culinary excellence, guest satisfaction, team leadership, financial performance, and maintaining Gattara's reputation as one of Denver's premier Italian dining destinations.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute Gattara's culinary vision while preserving authentic Italian traditions.
- Create seasonal menus, specials, tasting menus, and banquet offerings.
- Lead all kitchen operations, ensuring exceptional food quality, consistency, and presentation.
- Maintain HACCP, ServSafe, sanitation, and food safety standards.
- Manage food costs, labor costs, purchasing, inventory, and departmental budgets.
- Build relationships with local producers and premium Italian suppliers.
- Recruit, train, coach, and develop a high-performing culinary team.
- Partner with the Food & Beverage team on wine dinners, promotions, and special events.
- Collaborate with Sales and Marketing to enhance Gattara's visibility and reputation.
- Deliver exceptional guest experiences and promptly resolve guest concerns.
Qualifications
- Minimum 5 years of Executive Chef experience in an upscale hotel, fine dining restaurant, or premium Italian restaurant.
- Demonstrated expertise in authentic regional Italian cuisine, including fresh pasta, risotto, seafood, premium meats, and seasonal menu development.
- Strong leadership and team development skills.
- Proven experience managing food cost, labor cost, purchasing, and inventory.
- Knowledge of HACCP, ServSafe, and food safety regulations.
- Culinary degree preferred.
- ServSafe Manager Certification or ability to obtain shortly after hire.
- Excellent English communication skills; Italian language skills are a plus.
- Experience in luxury hospitality is highly desirable.
- Salary: $100,000 – $110,000 annually, based on experience
- Performance bonus opportunity