Executive Chef

Executive Chef

Location: Dubuque, IA

Salary:$100,000–$120,000 DOE

Benefits: Competitive bonus opportunity, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) with company match, life and disability insurance, employee dining and hotel discounts.

About the Opportunity

Seeking an accomplished Chef de Cuisine for an exciting upscale dining concept. This is an exceptional opportunity for a culinary leader who is passionate about creating memorable dining experiences through innovative cuisine, exceptional execution, and strong team leadership.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who thrives in a high-performance environment and is committed to mentoring talent while maintaining the highest culinary standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all daily back-of-house operations for a high-end restaurant
• Recruit, hire, train, coach, and develop a high-performing culinary team
• Create staff schedules to support business demands and operational efficiency
• Develop and execute seasonal menus, recipes, and innovative culinary offerings
• Ensure exceptional food quality, consistency, presentation, and execution
• Manage food cost, inventory, purchasing, vendor relationships, and waste reduction
• Maintain strict food safety, sanitation, and kitchen cleanliness standards
• Partner closely with front-of-house leadership to deliver exceptional guest experiences
• Monitor kitchen equipment, operational procedures, and overall efficiency
• Engage with guests, VIPs, and special events while promoting a culture of hospitality

Ideal Experience

• 5+ years of culinary leadership experience in an upscale steakhouse, fine dining restaurant, or luxury hospitality environment
• Culinary degree or equivalent professional culinary training
• Proven experience leading and developing high-performing kitchen teams
• Strong background in menu development, recipe creation, and seasonal programming
• Experience managing food cost, inventory, purchasing, and labor controls
• Knowledge of dry-aging techniques and premium protein programs is highly preferred
• Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills
• ServSafe certification (or ability to obtain)
• Passion for culinary excellence, innovation, and guest satisfaction

To be considered, please submit your resume to:sydneyc@geckohospitality.com