Menu Development Jobs in Austin, TX (NOW HIRING)

Who We Are
White Lodging develops and operates a portfolio of award-winning premium hotels, rooftop bars, and restaurants in some of the country's most dynamic cities. We know that the hospitality business, like life, is about how you make people feel. That's where you come in.
Yacht Club is the signature fine dining seafood restaurant at Hotel Trinity, Autograph Collection - one of Austin, Texas's most anticipated luxury hotel openings of 2026, located at the corner of Trinity and Fifth Streets in the heart of downtown Austin. As the only Marriott Autograph Collection hotel in Austin's city center, Hotel Trinity is a 258-room luxury boutique hotel positioned alongside Antone's on the historic 6th Street entertainment district. Yacht Club anchors the hotel's ground floor, offering a refined yet approachable take on coastal cuisine - high-quality fresh seafood and oyster bar experiences complemented by thoughtful steakhouse offerings, seasonal menus, and an elevated wine and beverage program. Designed to be a destination for Austin locals and hotel guests alike, Yacht Club pairs polished, attentive service with a lively, social energy to create one of downtown Austin's most exciting new upscale seafood dining experiences.
We are seeking a visionary Executive Sous Chef to help lead the culinary program at Yacht Club from the ground up. This is a rare pre-opening Executive Sous Chef opportunity in Austin, Texas - your chance to build a kitchen team, shape the menu identity, and set the culinary standard for one of Austin's most anticipated new fine dining seafood restaurants. If you're an Senior Sous Chef or Sous Chef ready to step up - with a passion for coastal cuisine, seafood-forward menus, and hotel restaurant leadership in a downtown Austin, TX environment - we want to hear from you.
What You'll Do
• Own all culinary operations at Yacht Club - a premier fine dining seafood restaurant in downtown Austin, TX - including recipe execution, menu development, financial profitability, staffing, and compliance with White Lodging SOPs and all local and federal guidelines
• Serve as a hands-on culinary Subject Matter Expert, setting the standard for safe, high-quality food handling, preparation, and presentation across the entire hotel kitchen team
• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop all culinary associates to drive high engagement, a strong internal promotion rate, and low turnover - executing the White Lodging Way FOH & BOH Systems
• Foster productive relationships with Sales & Marketing, Event Management, front-of-house leadership, hotel departments, owners, business partners, and vendors at this Marriott Autograph Collection Austin property
• Oversee all ordering, preparation, marketing, and execution of recipes and USE Records, managing all costs associated with culinary department profitability at a high-volume Austin restaurant
• Actively participate in property-specific month-end and year-end processes and reporting
What You'll Bring
• Proven Executive Chef or senior culinary leadership experience in a fine dining, upscale seafood, or hotel restaurant environment - experience in the Austin, Texas market a plus
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing kitchen team in a fast-paced downtown Austin restaurant setting
• A natural inclination to problem-solve complex operational challenges and arrive at creative, guest-focused culinary solutions
• High proficiency in culinary financial management, menu creation, and attention to detail - with a hands-on approach to all kitchen systems and processes
• Sharp observational and walk-through skills - consistently gauging food quality and quantity, service readiness, inventory levels, cleanliness, safety, and sanitation standards
• Pre-opening restaurant or hotel culinary experience strongly preferred - this is a ground-up launch of one of Austin's most anticipated new seafood restaurants
• Background in fine dining, upscale seafood, coastal cuisine, or Marriott-brand hotel culinary operations strongly preferred
What You Can Look Forward To
• Benefits - starting day 1
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life and disability insurance
• Paid parental leave
• DailyPay - get paid when you need it
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off (PTO) with rollover
• Complimentary wellness tools
• Unlimited employee referral bonuses
• Leadership development & tuition reimbursement
• Discounts on hotel rooms, dining, and travel
• Growth opportunities across multiple hotel properties
White Lodging is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status.