Executive Chef

We are seeking an experienced and highly organized Campus Executive Chef to lead an expansive culinary operation for a premier retirement community, nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, NC. This sprawling campus features multiple high-volume dining venues, ranging from a vibrant main market to an upscale, elevated dining restaurant and boutique coffee shop, alongside dedicated healthcare dining kitchens. For a culinary leader, this region offers an incredible lifestyle. Asheville is a nationally celebrated culinary hub known for its thriving arts scene, outdoor adventure, and mild mountain climate, making it an exceptional place to live and work.

This is a newly created, highly visible leadership role designed for someone who thrives on elevating cuisine and improving efficiency. The successful candidate will transition the multi-site kitchens from convenience options toward a 100% scratch-cooking model while implementing modern technology to replace manual pen-and-paper tracking. This role requires a hands-on, high-energy leader capable of balancing resort-style fine dining with the detailed execution of therapeutic and dietary restrictions.

Executive Chef Responsibilities:

• Culinary & Operational Leadership: Oversee all campus-wide back-of-house operations, ensuring exceptional food quality, artistic presentation, and strict portion control across fine dining, casual market, and healthcare service areas.
• Scratch Kitchen Transition & Innovation: Lead the transformation from a partial convenience model to a 100% scratch kitchen, driving menu development, batch-cooking systems, and creative recipes that change frequently (including monthly global cuisines and seasonal rotations).
• System Implementation & Financial Management: Build operational systems from the ground up, implementing modern software for recipe costing, digital checklists, prep sheets, inventory control, and waste management to eliminate paper tracking.
• Staff Training & Development: Mentor, coach, and assess a culinary team of 40 staff members, intentionally closing skills gaps for the half of the kitchen team requiring fundamental development.
• Compliance & Regulatory Oversight: Maintain a pristine kitchen environment in strict accordance with local, state, and federal health regulations, consistently targeting and maintaining a Health Department Grade “A” of 98% or higher.

Executive Chef Requirements:

• Experience: 7+ years of progressive culinary leadership experience within a high-volume, multi-unit hospitality setting; a background as an Executive Chef in a luxury hotel, resort, or high-end senior living estate is strongly preferred.
• Technical Skills: Proven track record in recipe development, food costing, batch-cooking execution (handling 200+ covers simultaneously), and designing menus tailored to specialized dietary restrictions and therapeutic needs.
• System Savvy: Strong professional familiarity with culinary software systems (such as automated inventory and catering programs) and a history of successfully moving kitchens away from manual tracking.
• Certifications & Education: Valid ServSafe Manager Certification is required; a Culinary Arts or College degree is highly preferred. High School Diploma or GED equivalent is required.
• Licensing: A valid North Carolina Driver’s License with a clean driving record is required to utilize facility vehicles when necessary.
• Physical Demands: Ability to stand and remain active for up to 80% of the workday, with the capability to safely push, pull, or lift up to 50 lbs.

Compensation Package Details:

• Base Salary: $90,000 – $95,000 annualized (Exempt status)
• Health Benefits: Generous employer-sponsored health coverage with 80% of premiums paid by the organization
• Retirement Plan: 403(b) plan featuring a highly competitive employer match of up to 6%
• Schedule: Favorable quality-of-life hours (10:00 AM – 7:00 PM; working either Monday–Friday or Tuesday–Saturday)

If you're ready to take the helm of the entire culinary operation and have the work-life balance rarely seen in this industry, apply today.

Only qualified candidates will be contacted.