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Executive Chef Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Metz Culinary Management

Executive Chef

Henderson, TN · On-site

$50K - $68K/yr

Executive Chef Location: Freed-Hardeman University, Henderson TN Relocation Assistance is available! Freed-Hardeman University is a private university associated with the Churches of Christ and ...

Sushi-San

Executive Chef

Nashville, TN

$70K - $100K/yr

EXECUTIVE CHEF! Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants is looking for a Executive Chef with 5+ years of Executive Chef experience. We reward our teams with benefits, career-long training and growth ...

Creative Dining Services

Executive Chef

Jackson, TN · On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

The Executive Chef is part of the Dining Services Management team that works professionally together to make sure the needs of the customer, client, staff, and colleagues are met. Core ...

Sushi-San

Executive Chef

Nashville, TN · On-site

$70K - $100K/yr

EXECUTIVE CHEF! Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants is looking for a Executive Chef with 5+ years of Executive Chef experience. We reward our teams with benefits, career-long training and growth ...

CommonSail Investment Group

Executive Chef

Chattanooga, TN · On-site

$65K - $90K/yr

Executive Chef StoryPoint Chattanooga Position Summary: The Executive Chef is responsible for the successful management of all aspects of the culinary and dining department. Responsibilities include ...

Ruth's Chris Steak House

Executive Chef

Chattanooga, TN · On-site

$61K - $84K/yr

Executive Chef Ruth's Chris Steak House Where legendary flavor meets refined leadership. Ruth's Chris Steak House is seeking a dynamic, experienced, and passionate Executive Chef to lead our kitchen ...

Laurus Home Care

Executive Chef

Jackson, TN · On-site

$67K - $93K/yr

Executive Chef Beo of Jackson by StoryPoint Position Summary: The Executive Chef is responsible for the successful management of all aspects of the culinary and dining department. Responsibilities ...

Laurus Home Care

Executive Chef

Chattanooga, TN · On-site

$65K - $89K/yr

Executive Chef StoryPoint Chattanooga Position Summary: The Executive Chef is responsible for the successful management of all aspects of the culinary and dining department. Responsibilities include ...

StoryPoint

Executive Chef

Chattanooga, TN

$65K - $90K/yr

Executive Chef StoryPoint Chattanooga Position Summary: The Executive Chef is responsible for the successful management of all aspects of the culinary and dining department. Responsibilities include ...

CommonSail Investment Group

Executive Chef

Jackson, TN · On-site

$59K - $82K/yr

Executive Chef Beo of Jackson by StoryPoint Position Summary: The Executive Chef is responsible for the successful management of all aspects of the culinary and dining department. Responsibilities ...

Chattanooga Upscale American Restaurant

Be Seen First

Executive Chef

Chattanooga, TN · On-site

$85K/yr

Executive Chef Location: Chattanooga, TN Position Type: Full-Time / Salaried with an expected weekly hourly commitment of 50-52 hours Compensation: starting at $85,000 with potential for bonuses ...

New

Red Pebbles Hospitality

Executive Chef

Nashville, TN · On-site

$75K - $95K/yr

Executive Chef Key Responsibilities: * Execute menus that showcase flavors and ingredients, while also catering to the local market's tastes and preferences. * Ensure that all dishes are prepared to ...

Bartaco

Executive Chef

Nashville, TN

$85K - $90K/yr

As an Executive Chef at bartaco, you are the culinary leader responsible for ensuring the highest standards of food quality, consistency, and operational excellence. You will guide your team to ...

ZUZU NASHVILLE

Executive Chef

Nashville, TN · On-site

$72K - $84K/yr

The Executive Chef will shape menu innovation, uphold technical excellence, and lead a high-performance culinary team capable of executing refined Asian cuisine at the highest level. The ideal ...

bartaco

Executive Chef

Nashville, TN · On-site

$85K - $90K/yr

As an Executive Chef at bartaco, you are the culinary leader responsible for ensuring the highest standards of food quality, consistency, and operational excellence. You will guide your team to ...

bartaco

Executive Chef

Nashville, TN · On-site

$85K - $90K/yr

As an Executive Chef at bartaco, you are the culinary leader responsible for ensuring the highest standards of food quality, consistency, and operational excellence. You will guide your team to ...

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Executive Chef information

See Tennessee salary details

$36.3K

$78.9K

$118K

How much do executive chef jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for executive chef in Tennessee is $78,860.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $64,900.00 and $89,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an executive chef, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Executive Chef, you need advanced culinary skills, menu development expertise, and significant kitchen management experience, often supported by a degree from a culinary school or equivalent professional experience. Proficiency with inventory management systems, commercial kitchen equipment, and food safety certifications (like ServSafe) is typically required. Leadership, creativity, and strong communication are essential soft skills to inspire teams and maintain high service standards. These skills ensure operational efficiency, innovation, and customer satisfaction in a fast-paced culinary environment.

What does an executive chef do?

An executive chef is the head of the entire kitchen operation of a restaurant. Executive chefs manage inventory, budgeting, menu planning, training, plating, and all kitchen staff, from sous chefs to dishwashers. They ensure the high standard of food quality and that service runs smoothly and efficiently. Executive chefs are the highest level of level of management in the kitchen, and they are ultimately responsible for its success or failure.

What is an executive chef?

Executive Chefs are the head of a restaurant or hotel's kitchen, responsible for overseeing all culinary operations. They develop menus, manage kitchen staff, ensure food quality, and handle budgeting and inventory. Executive Chefs also collaborate with management on menu pricing and may be involved in hiring and training staff. Their primary goal is to maintain high standards of food preparation and presentation while ensuring the kitchen runs efficiently.

What is the difference between Executive Chef vs Sous Chef?

AspectExecutive ChefSous Chef
CredentialsCulinary degree, extensive experienceCulinary degree or equivalent, experience in kitchens
Work EnvironmentOversees entire kitchen operations, manages staffAssists Executive Chef, manages specific kitchen sections
Industry UsageHigh-end restaurants, hotels, resortsAll restaurant types, including casual and fine dining

The Executive Chef is responsible for overall kitchen management, menu creation, and staff supervision, while the Sous Chef supports the Executive Chef by managing daily kitchen operations and specific sections. Both roles require culinary credentials and experience, but the Executive Chef holds a higher leadership position within the culinary hierarchy.

What does an executive chef get paid?

The average salary for an executive chef varies depending on location and establishment, but typically ranges from $50,000 to $100,000 annually. In high-end restaurants or large hotels, salaries can exceed $100,000, especially with experience and leadership skills in kitchen management and menu development.

What are some of the main challenges executive chefs face when managing kitchen staff and operations?

Executive Chefs often balance creative menu development with the practicalities of managing a diverse kitchen team. Common challenges include maintaining high food quality standards during busy service periods, training and motivating staff, and handling tight budgets for food costs and labor. Effective communication is crucial, as Executive Chefs collaborate closely with restaurant management, waitstaff, and suppliers to ensure smooth operations. Adapting quickly to unexpected issues, such as equipment breakdowns or staff shortages, is also a key part of the role.
More about Executive Chef jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Chef jobs in Tennessee? The most popular types of Chef jobs in Tennessee are:
What are popular job titles related to Executive Chef jobs in Tennessee? For Executive Chef jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Executive Chef jobs in Tennessee look for? The top searched job categories for Executive Chef jobs in Tennessee are:
What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Executive Chef jobs? Cities in Tennessee with the most Executive Chef job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Executive Chef jobs in TN? For Executive Chef jobs in TN, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Executive Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Executive Chef job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $78,860 per year, or $37.9 per hour.

Executive Chef

Metz Culinary Management

Henderson, TN • On-site

$50K - $68K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago

Metz Culinary Management rating

6.6

Company rating: 6.6 out of 10

Based on 86 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

27th of 68 rated caterers

Job description

Position Title: Executive Chef
Location: Freed-Hardeman University, Henderson TN
Relocation Assistance is available!
Freed-Hardeman University is a private university associated with the Churches of Christ and located in Henderson, Tennessee, United States. We are seeking a talented Executive Chef to lead our AWESOME Culinary Team!
Metz Culinary Management is growing and we have an opening for Rock Star Executive Chef who shares our passion for Food and Service and Leadership. We are seeking a Culinary Leader, with a passion for Food, Service and AMAZING Presentations.
Our Executive Chef must have a mentoring management style creating a culture of fun, creativity and growth. If you have the CULINARY CHOPS and passion for current, trending and diverse menus, and are ready to hit the ground running in a fast paced, high volume setting, we would like to hear from you! Must have Executive and/or Sous Chef experience in preferably an institution style, multi-outlet setting such as Hospital, School, College, Senior Living or Corporate Dining setting.
Requirements:
  • 3-5+Plus Years in a Supervisory Experience as Sous Chef or Executive Chef
  • High Volume background
  • Institutional facility or multi-outlet experience preferred
  • Impeccable communication Skills
  • Strong Restaurant Management knowledge
  • Thorough knowledge of Menu implementation with STUNNING presentation ideas
  • Strong Catering Experience
  • Culinary Degree strongly preferred

Metz Culinary Management Values are what separates us from the competition. Our Leaders share our Values, Attributes, and Strategic Focus reinforcing our culture and values every day to our Team Members creating an environment for personal growth, enrichment and career success.
As one of the fastest growing companies in the industry, we continually seek talented and dedicated individuals who share our commitment to excellence. Join our team of over 7,000 team members who share a passion for Onsite Dining and Support Services, working together toward one common goal, excellence, in quality and service. We are committed to providing the atmosphere, opportunity, and benefits that enable us to be an employer of choice in the industry.
We are a family-driven company that delivers restaurant-inspired hospitality to everyone we serve.

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