What are the responsibilities and job description for the Executive Sous Chef - Italian position at Gecko Hospitality?
We are a thriving, 92-seat modern Italian restaurant in West Springfield, MA, known for a 21-year history of culinary excellence and a 100% scratch kitchen philosophy. Our kitchen draws inspiration from the local farming community and fresh seafood bounty, offering a dinner-service-only operation Tuesday through Saturday that promotes a strong work-life balance. We seek an ambitious, hands-on, and creative Executive Sous Chef or Chef de Cuisine to lead our medium-sized culinary team of 6-10 members, including line cooks, pantry cooks, and a sous chef.
Responsibilities
- Execute a high-end, farm-to-table Italian menu with emphasis on seasonal vegetables, fresh seafood, and cured meats
- Develop and refine menus that highlight creativity and authenticity
- Manage kitchen operations including food cost control, labor scheduling, and profit & loss oversight
- Lead, mentor, and train a diverse, tenured kitchen staff, fostering skill development and teamwork
- Work alongside the kitchen team during dinner service to ensure consistency, quality, and timely execution
- Maintain strict adherence to recipes, protocols, and organizational systems to ensure operational excellence
- Oversee quality assurance to uphold the highest standards in every dish served
Required Qualifications
- Proven experience in Mediterranean and/or Italian cuisine, with candidates from Italy or Italian heritage preferred
- Mastery of all mother sauces and advanced scratch cooking techniques
- Culinary degree strongly preferred
- Organized, creative, and structured mindset thriving in a system-oriented kitchen environment
Preferred Qualifications
- Minimum 2 years of direct experience in Italian cuisine
Gecko Hospitality, named to Forbes 2018, 2019 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 list of America’s Best Recruiting Firms, offers the largest selection of restaurant, catering, grocery store, corporate dining, senior living, healthcare food service, K-12 food service and higher education food service positions. Our hospitality-exclusive team covers all 50 states and Canada and offers professional placement services with over 120 dedicated hospitality experts.
With Gecko's extensive list of hospitality recruiter services, we get you and your resume in front of the hospitality industry's leading decision makers! Better yet, Gecko has exceptional national, regional, and local relationships and is well respected in the hospitality industry for enhancing hospitality careers.
With Gecko's extensive list of hospitality recruiter services, we get you and your resume in front of the hospitality industry's leading decision makers! Better yet, Gecko has exceptional national, regional, and local relationships and is well respected in the hospitality industry for enhancing hospitality careers.
Salary : $70,000 - $75,000