Executive Chef

DRIFTWOOD HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT • Asheville, NC

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Executive Chef provides strategic and day-to-day leadership for all culinary operations throughout The Radical Hotel, including: Golden Hour – Michelin Recommended signature restaurant; after/glow – Coffee, breakfast and lunch café & evening lounge bar; The Roof – Rooftop bar and seasonal dining; Catering & Private Events - at The Radical Hotel and sister property Zelda Dearest. You'll lead a talented culinary team while ensuring exceptional food quality, operational excellence, financial performance, and memorable guest experiences across every outlet.

Requirements

• Proven experience as an Executive Chef or Executive Sous Chef in a luxury hotel, upscale restaurant, or multi-outlet culinary operation.
• A hands-on leader
• Demonstrated success leading high-performing kitchen teams.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing food cost, labor, and purchasing.
• Experience overseeing multiple restaurant concepts and banquet operations.
• Passion for seasonal, locally inspired cuisine and innovative menu development.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment while maintaining exceptional standards.
• Hotel experience is strongly preferred.

Nice To Haves

• Hotel experience is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead all culinary operations across multiple restaurant concepts and event spaces.
• Partner with our James Beard nominated F&B consultant Jacob Sessoms
• Create and evolve seasonal menus that reflect The Radical's creative spirit while delivering consistent execution.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop an exceptional culinary leadership team.
• Partner with Food & Beverage leadership to elevate guest experiences across every outlet.
• Oversee banquet, catering, and special event culinary execution at both The Radical Hotel and Zelda Dearest
• Manage food cost, labor, purchasing, inventory, and kitchen budgets to achieve financial goals.
• Ensure exceptional quality, consistency, cleanliness, and food safety standards.
• Build strong partnerships with local farms, artisans, and regional producers.
• Foster a positive, collaborative culture built on accountability, creativity, and continuous improvement.
• Stay ahead of culinary trends while maintaining operational efficiency and profitability.
• Experienced in high volume catering with hotel top brands and fine dining
• Proven leadership and managerial skills supporting an environment of colleague growth and development, interdepartmental teamwork and exceptional customer service
• Current on all culinary trends and active in the furthering of his/her own culinary development
• Extremely creative with strong service skills and demonstrated ability to energize a diverse team of culinary professionals
• Proven financial planning skills with the ability to analyze data and trends and implement strategies for improvement
• Fully supportive of and cognizant of all Corporate programs
• Experience and comfort with television and other media promotional venues
• Computer literate

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Room Discounts
• Employee Food and Beverage Discounts

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: No Education Listed