Executive Chef (Italian Experience) - Capital Restaurant Resources

Capital Restaurant Resources is a national recruiting agency with a Washington, DC regional focus. Our clients range from free-standing restaurants to upscale hotel chains, with a combined total of more than 1,000 outlets across the country, featuring fine dining, upscale, and casual menus. Our grassroots approach to recruiting has led to many successful relationships across the Washington, DC dining scene, which is not-so-quietly becoming one of the nation's premier dining locations. Our connections can and will lead to opportunities in the front and back-of-the-house, both here and nationally, that you will not be able to find anywhere else...

Role: Executive Chef - Upscale Authentic Italian Cuisine

Location: Washington DC

Timeline: Actively Hiring

Compensation: 120-140K plus full benefits with a leading company

Position Summary:

Our client is seeking an experienced and passionate Executive Chef with a strong background in upscale authentic Italian cuisine. The ideal candidate will bring creativity, leadership, and operational expertise to lead our kitchen team. This role is pivotal in establishing and maintaining a high-quality dining experience while upholding the traditions of Italian culinary artistry.

Key Responsibilities:

Culinary Leadership

• Execute an authentic Italian menu with a focus on seasonal, high-quality ingredients.
• Ensure all dishes meet the highest standards of taste, presentation, and consistency.
• Innovate and adapt recipes to enhance guest satisfaction while staying true to Italian culinary traditions.

Team Management

• Recruit, train, and mentor a high-performing kitchen team.
• Lead by example to foster a collaborative and professional kitchen environment.
• Oversee kitchen staff schedules, performance, and development.

Operational Excellence

• Manage food cost, inventory, and labor to align with budgetary goals.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and sanitation regulations.
• Implement and maintain efficient kitchen processes to support high-volume service.

Restaurant Opening Expertise (Highly Preferred)

Qualifications:

• Proven experience as an Executive Chef in an upscale or fine-dining Italian restaurant.
• Expertise in authentic Italian cuisine, with a strong understanding of traditional techniques and ingredients.
• Demonstrated success in managing kitchen operations for high-volume restaurants.
• Previous experience opening a restaurant is strongly preferred.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent organizational and communication abilities.
• Culinary degree or equivalent professional training is a plus.

Capital Restaurant Resources is an Equal Opportunity Vendor to Equal Opportunity Employers. CRR trusts that all aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.