Executive Chef - French Brasserie

Executive Chef | French Brasserie & Bakery

Location: Davidson, NC
Salary: $80,000–$90,000 Annually
Job Type: Full-Time

Executive Chef | French Brasserie & Bakery

We are seeking a talented, passionate, and hands-on Executive Chef to lead the culinary operations of an established French Brasserie & Bakery in Davidson, NC.

This is an exciting opportunity for a creative culinary leader with a strong foundation in French cuisine, classical cooking techniques, and seasonal, ingredient-driven menus.

The ideal candidate brings experience in upscale casual or fine dining, a passion for authentic French-inspired cuisine, and the leadership skills to develop a talented culinary team while maintaining exceptional quality and operational standards.

We are looking for a chef who appreciates the balance of traditional French cooking and modern culinary creativity, thrives in a collaborative environment, and takes pride in delivering an outstanding dining experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee daily culinary operations for a French Brasserie & Bakery, ensuring exceptional food quality, consistency, and presentation.
• Develop and execute seasonal, French-inspired menus featuring fresh, high-quality ingredients and scratch-made cuisine.
• Lead, mentor, train, and develop a high-performing culinary team.
• Maintain strong standards in classical French cooking techniques, preparation, and execution.
• Collaborate with bakery and pastry teams to ensure a cohesive culinary experience.
• Manage food costs, labor expenses, inventory, purchasing, and overall kitchen profitability.
• Establish and maintain recipes, portion standards, preparation procedures, and quality controls.
• Build relationships with local farmers, suppliers, and specialty purveyors.
• Oversee kitchen staffing, scheduling, hiring, and performance management.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, sanitation, and health department regulations.
• Partner with ownership and restaurant leadership on menu development, special events, and operational improvements.
• Remain actively involved in daily kitchen operations and service, leading by example.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience as an Executive Chef or Executive Sous Chef in an upscale restaurant, French brasserie, bistro, or fine-dining environment.
• Strong foundation in classical French cuisine and cooking techniques.
• Experience with seasonal menu development, scratch cooking, and high-quality ingredients.
• Understanding of bakery and pastry operations is a plus.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and retain talented culinary teams.
• Strong financial acumen, including food cost management, labor controls, purchasing, and inventory.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Hands-on leadership style with a passion for culinary excellence.
• Ability to maintain high standards while managing a busy, multifaceted culinary operation.
• Culinary degree preferred but not required.

Compensation & Opportunity

• Competitive Base Salary: $80,000–$90,000, depending on experience.
• Opportunity to lead the culinary operations of an established French Brasserie & Bakery.
• Creative involvement in menu development and culinary direction.
• Collaborative, quality-focused leadership environment.
• Opportunity for professional growth within a respected hospitality group.

Apply Today!

If you're a talented Executive Chef with a passion for French cuisine, scratch cooking, and exceptional hospitality, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today for a confidential conversation about this exciting Executive Chef opportunity in Davidson, NC!

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.