EXECUTIVE CHEF - ITALIAN FINE DINING RESTAURANT

THE OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking an accomplished Executive Chef with a proven background in Italian fine dining and hands-on fresh pasta preparation to lead the culinary operations of an upscale Italian restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience in authentic Italian cuisine, scratch cooking, fresh pasta production, seasonal menu development, and refined food presentation. This role requires a hands-on culinary leader who can maintain exceptional standards while overseeing kitchen operations, developing talent, and managing financial performance.

Candidates must have direct experience in Italian fine dining and demonstrated expertise in making and executing fresh pasta. General restaurant experience without a strong Italian culinary background will not be sufficient.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Italian Cuisine & Pasta Program

• Lead the preparation and execution of an elevated Italian fine dining menu.
• Oversee hands-on fresh pasta production, including dough preparation, mixing, kneading, rolling, shaping, and cooking.
• Demonstrate expertise in a variety of pasta shapes, textures, fillings, and traditional Italian preparations.
• Develop and execute authentic Italian dishes featuring house-made pasta, regional sauces, seasonal ingredients, seafood, and premium proteins.
• Create seasonal menus and specials that reflect Italian culinary traditions while maintaining a distinctive dining experience.
• Establish consistent recipes, portion standards, cooking techniques, and plating specifications.
• Maintain exceptional flavor, texture, quality, and presentation across every dish.

Culinary Leadership & Kitchen Operations

• Oversee all kitchen operations, including preparation, service, inventory, purchasing, and sanitation.
• Remain hands-on during service to ensure consistency and execution.
• Recruit, train, mentor, and develop Sous Chefs and kitchen team members.
• Establish clear performance expectations and maintain a culture of professionalism, accountability, and culinary excellence.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and health regulations.

Financial & Cost Management

• Manage food costs, labor expenses, purchasing, and inventory.
• Conduct recipe costing and menu analysis to maintain profitability.
• Build strong vendor relationships to source authentic Italian ingredients and high-quality seasonal products.
• Minimize waste through effective production planning, portion control, and inventory management.
• Monitor kitchen performance and implement improvements without compromising food quality.

Guest Experience & Collaboration

• Partner with front-of-house leadership to deliver an exceptional fine dining experience.
• Maintain consistent execution during busy dinner services and special events.
• Address guest feedback and special requests professionally.
• Collaborate with restaurant leadership on culinary strategy, menu direction, and overall restaurant performance.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Proven experience as an Executive Chef, Chef de Cuisine, or senior culinary leader in an Italian fine dining restaurant.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience making fresh pasta from scratch is required.
• Strong knowledge of authentic Italian cuisine, regional Italian dishes, traditional cooking methods, and ingredient sourcing.
• Expertise in fresh pasta dough, rolling and shaping techniques, filled pasta, and pasta cookery.
• Experience developing Italian menus and executing dishes to fine dining standards.
• Strong scratch-kitchen background using fresh, high-quality ingredients.
• Proven experience leading, training, and developing professional kitchen teams.
• Strong understanding of food costing, labor management, inventory, purchasing, and menu profitability.
• Ability to maintain exceptional quality and consistency during high-pressure service.
• Strong leadership, organization, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required.

COMPENSATION

Annual Salary: $85,000–$125,000, depending on experience and qualifications.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate is an accomplished Italian fine dining chef who combines authentic culinary technique with a hands-on approach to leadership. They understand fresh pasta production in depth, can develop and execute an exceptional Italian menu, and have the operational skills to lead a high-performing kitchen.

Priority will be given to candidates whose professional experience is specifically rooted in Italian fine dining—not simply general upscale dining—with a strong, demonstrable fresh pasta background.

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.