Executive Chef Jobs in Fulton, NY (NOW HIRING)

Open to Out of State Candidates Open to Relocate

EXECUTIVE CHEF

We are seeking an experienced Executive Chef to lead culinary operations for a high-volume hospitality and events environment. This position will oversee culinary strategy, menu development, production, team leadership, financial performance, food safety, and overall kitchen execution.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on culinary leader who has experience managing large-scale food production, developing teams, controlling costs, and delivering a consistently high-quality guest experience in a fast-paced environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead all day-to-day culinary and kitchen operations across restaurant, event, banquet, and/or concession service
• Develop creative menus based on seasonality, local ingredients, guest preferences, and current culinary trends
• Maintain recipe consistency, presentation standards, portion control, and overall food quality
• Plan production schedules and staffing levels based on anticipated business volume and event needs
• Oversee food and labor costs while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability
• Manage purchasing, ordering, receiving, inventory, storage, and food preparation
• Ensure kitchen operations meet all applicable health, sanitation, food safety, and HACCP standards
• Maintain kitchen equipment, cleanliness standards, and preventative maintenance procedures
• Recruit, hire, train, coach, and develop culinary and stewarding team members
• Establish clear performance expectations and provide ongoing feedback and development
• Coordinate food production and execution for banquets, catered events, and other large-scale functions
• Partner with operations and event teams to ensure successful execution of events and guest experiences
• Participate in client tastings, menu presentations, and culinary demonstrations when needed
• Support proposals and menu development for prospective events and clients
• Build relationships within the local culinary and hospitality community
• Continuously evaluate processes to improve quality, productivity, labor efficiency, and guest satisfaction
• Perform additional leadership responsibilities as needed

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

This position is responsible for leading culinary and stewarding teams, including hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, performance management, employee development, and day-to-day operational direction.

QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Approximately 8+ years of progressive culinary experience
• Strong background in high-volume food production, large events, banquets, hospitality, or similar environments
• Previous culinary leadership or kitchen management experience strongly preferred
• Experience working within structured or unionized environments is beneficial
• Strong understanding of food safety, sanitation, and HACCP practices
• Demonstrated ability to manage food cost, labor, inventory, purchasing, and operational budgets
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, coach, and develop culinary teams
• Excellent organization, communication, and time-management skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and execute effectively under tight timelines
• Creative approach to menu development, food presentation, and culinary programming
• Strong guest-service mindset and professional presence
• Ability to work a flexible schedule based on business and event needs, including evenings, weekends, early mornings, and holidays

CERTIFICATIONS

Serve-Safe Certified/Food Handlers Certificate

The Restaurant Zone is a leading hospitality recruitment agency specializing in connecting top-tier talent with restaurants, hotels, and hospitality groups across the United States. We partner with growing brands and established operators to deliver high-quality candidates for management, executive, and specialized roles. Our team combines industry expertise, a vast candidate network, and a results-driven approach to help businesses build strong, reliable teams. At The Restaurant Zone, we focus on speed, quality, and long-term fit—ensuring both clients and candidates succeed.