Executive Chef | Fine Dining | Menu Creation

We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Executive Chef to lead culinary operations for a premier multi-phase hospitality development in Central Pennsylvania. This role offers the rare opportunity to build a culinary program from the ground up—starting with an intimate, 50–60 seat scratch-kitchen restaurant featuring artisan pizza, handmade pasta, and seasonal Italian-inspired cuisine, before expanding into high-volume event catering, banquets, and resort dining.

Key Responsibilities

• Culinary & Menu Development: Design, test, and standardize elevated, scratch-made menus, seasonal features, and signature recipes.
• Operational Leadership: Build kitchen systems, standard operating procedures, inventory controls, and food safety protocols from scratch.
• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Recruit, train, coach, and develop a high-performing kitchen team centered on servant leadership, mutual respect, and accountability.
• Financial Management: Oversee food and labor costs, purchasing, vendor partnerships, and back-of-house budgets.
• Future Expansion: Lead culinary planning for upcoming phases, including a dedicated wedding and event pavilion and full catering operations.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of Executive Chef, Executive Sous Chef, or Head Chef experience in high-quality, scratch-cooking environments.
• Strong background in Italian cuisine, artisan dough/pizza production, and seasonal menu design.
• Banquet, wedding, or high-volume private event catering experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in food/labor cost control, kitchen systems development, and team mentorship.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to balance culinary creativity with operational discipline...