Executive Chef - High-Volume Catering & Events
3 days ago
Liverpool
Job Description We are seeking an experienced Executive Chef to lead culinary operations within a high-volume events and hospitality environment in Syracuse, NY. This role will oversee culinary strategy, menu development, large-scale food production, team leadership, cost control, food safety, and overall kitchen execution. The ideal candidate is a hands-on culinary leader with experience managing high-volume production, banquets, catered events, concessions, or similar large-scale foodservice operations. This chef should be comfortable leading sizable culinary teams while maintaining quality, efficiency, and profitability in a fast-paced environment. Key Responsibilities • Lead daily culinary operations across events, banquets, catering, concessions, and hospitality service, • Develop seasonal menus incorporating local ingredients, guest preferences, and culinary trends, • Maintain consistency in recipes, presentation, portions, and food quality, • Plan production, staffing, and kitchen execution based on event volume and demand, • Manage food cost, labor cost, inventory, purchasing, and operational budgets, • Oversee ordering, receiving, storage, preparation, and inventory controls, • Lead culinary execution for large-scale events, banquets, and catered functions, • Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and HACCP standards, • Recruit, train, coach, and develop culinary and stewarding teams, • Establish performance expectations and maintain team accountability, • Partner with operations and event teams to ensure seamless event execution, • Participate in client tastings, menu presentations, and culinary demonstrations, • Support event proposals and customized menu development, • Maintain kitchen equipment, cleanliness, and operational standards, • Identify opportunities to improve quality, productivity, labor efficiency, and guest satisfaction Qualifications • High school diploma or equivalent required, • 8+ years of progressive culinary experience, • Strong background in high-volume food production, events, banquets, catering, hospitality, or large-scale foodservice, • Previous Executive Chef, Chef de Cuisine, Executive Sous Chef, or Kitchen Management experience strongly preferred, • Experience leading and developing large culinary teams, • Strong knowledge of food cost, labor, inventory, purchasing, and budgeting, • Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and HACCP practices, • Union or structured labor environment experience is a plus, • Strong menu development and culinary programming skills, • Excellent leadership, organization, communication, and time-management skills, • Ability to execute under tight timelines and fluctuating business volumes, • ServSafe certification / Food Handler certification required, • Ability to work evenings, weekends, early mornings, and holidays based on event schedules\nCompany Description 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. 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.