Executive Chef

Executive Chef Opportunity At Big Fish Wilmington

At Big Fish Wilmington, culinary excellence and hospitality go hand in hand. We are seeking an Executive Chef who is passionate about leading high-performing teams, driving creativity in the kitchen, and delivering exceptional diningexperiences rooted in consistency, quality, and innovation.

This role is an opportunity to lead one of our dynamic culinary teams while shaping the guest experience through thoughtful leadership, operational excellence, and a commitment to developing talent. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, leads with confidence and collaboration, and brings a strong sense of ownership, creativity, and hospitality to everything they do.

At Big Fish Wilmington, we believe great restaurants are built by great people. We are looking for a leader who is excited to grow, inspire, and make an impact.

The Role

As Executive Chef, you are the culinary leader and driving force of the kitchen. You will:

• Shape and evolve the culinary vision of Stingray.
• Design menus that are expressive, intentional, and rooted in both tradition and innovation
• Lead daily kitchen operations with clarity, urgency, and consistency
• Build, train, and inspire a high-performing kitchen team grounded in pride and accountability
• Own food quality, execution, and presentation at every stage of service
• Partner closely with leadership to continuously refine and elevate the guest experience
• Establish systems that support creativity while ensuring operational excellence

What We're Looking For

• 4+ years of experience leading the daily kitchen
• A chef who leads with both creativity and discipline
• Deep respect for ingredients, technique, and cultural inspiration
• Strong ability to balance storytelling through food with operational consistency
• Proven leadership in high-volume, high-energy kitchen environments
• A builder of teams and culture—not just execution
• Calm under pressure, direct in communication, and passionate about standards

What We Bring

At Atlas, we are intentional about how we show up for our leaders because the experience you create for our teams starts with the experience we create for you. We invest in our people in a way that is thoughtful, competitive, and built for growth.

Total Rewards The base salary range for this role is $80,000-$90,000 aligned with your experience, leadership scope, and the impact you bring to the business.

Your Experience at Atlas Includes

• Health coverage that supports you—medical, dental, and vision
• A 401(k) to invest in your future
• 100% company-paid Life and AD&D Insurance for added peace of mind
• Paid parental leave to support life's biggest moments
• Ongoing learning and leadership development to keep you growing
• Real opportunities to move, grow, and build your career across our brands and markets
• Pet Insurance options—because they're part of your family too
• A 40% dining discount across all Atlas Restaurant Group properties, so you can experience what we create

This is more than a role. It's an opportunity to lead, grow, and shape the culture that defines Atlas.

Why Atlas?

At Atlas Restaurant Group, we believe hospitality is a craft and culture is the differentiator. We are a growing collection of best-in-class concepts and hospitality destinations built on energy, excellence, and experience. From waterfront hotels to iconic restaurants, we create spaces where guests celebrate life's moments and where our teams build meaningful careers. Here, leadership isn't about titles. It's about impact. We invest in our people, promote from within, and challenge our leaders to think strategically, act boldly, and execute flawlessly.

We move with intention.

We hold high standards.

We lead the right way by being grounded in our Core Values of Excellence, Trust, Responsibility, Professionalism, Teamwork, Community, and Uniqueness.

At Atlas, we don't chase industry standards. We define them.