Hotel Arista Executive Chef

CityGate Hospitality • Naperville, IL

6d • $100,000 - $130,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Executive Chef is the senior culinary leader for Hotel Arista, responsible for defining and delivering the culinary vision across all hotel culinary operations, including Che Figata, Zorba Lounge, Arista Coffee & Café, In-Room Dining, Banquets and Catering, and other Hotel Arista culinary experiences. This leader balances culinary creativity with disciplined execution—building exceptional teams, protecting quality and consistency, driving financial performance, and ensuring every culinary experience reflects Hotel Arista's commitment to intentional luxury and genuine care. As a member of the hotel's senior leadership team, the Executive Chef develops culinary leaders, creates distinctive dining experiences, strengthens the property's culinary reputation, and takes ownership of the long-term success of the culinary operation.

Requirements

• Four year culinary degree from a recognized culinary institute or equivalent experience.
• ServSafe Manager & Allergen certification required.
• Five or more years as an Executive Chef overseeing multiple outlets in a luxury hotel environment.
• Thorough knowledge of food preparation, kitchen, restaurant, and banquet operations.
• Strong customer service, leadership, and communication skills.
• Ability to supervise staff and staffing levels.
• Knowledge of applicable safety and sanitation procedures and training required.
• Knowledge of food cost and inventory management principles required.
• Must be able to walk and stand for up to 8 hours a day, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to bend, stoop, squat, and stretch to fulfill job duties.
• Must be able to lift up to 20 lbs regularly, and up to 50 pounds on occasion.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience working with Italian cuisine is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the culinary vision across all Hotel Arista culinary operations—including Che Figata, Zorba Lounge, Arista Coffee & Café, In-Room Dining, and Banquets and Catering—ensuring each experience reflects the property's commitment to intentional luxury, genuine care, and exceptional quality.
• Lead menu strategy, development, and seasonal innovation in partnership with culinary and Front of House leadership, creating distinctive experiences appropriate to each outlet and guest occasion.
• Establish and protect standards for food quality, flavor, presentation, consistency, portioning, and execution across all culinary operations.
• Lead, coach, and develop the culinary leadership team, establishing clear expectations, accountability, and opportunities for professional growth.
• Recruit, develop, and retain high-performing culinary talent while building future leaders and succession within the department.
• Create a culture of ownership and give the team the authority to care—trust thoughtful decisions, support initiative, celebrate wins, and learn from misses.
• Ensure the highest standards of food safety, sanitation, cleanliness, organization, equipment care, and regulatory compliance across all culinary areas.
• Maintain consistent culinary execution through regular kitchen presence, tastings, inspections, pre-shifts, training, and real-time coaching.
• Partner with Food & Beverage leadership to identify and remove operational friction while continuously improving the guest and associate experience.
• Take ownership of culinary financial performance by outlet and in total, including food cost, labor, purchasing, inventory, waste, productivity, and profitability, adjusting staffing and schedules to business conditions to achieve budgeted culinary labor targets.
• Lead menu engineering, recipe costing, portion controls, purchasing, product utilization, and inventory management by outlet and in total to achieve budgeted food cost objectives without compromising quality or the guest experience.
• Utilize and maintain the Craftable Purchasing and Inventory System to manage purchasing, menu items, recipes, cost transfers, and inventory by outlet, ensuring accurate and timely culinary cost reporting.
• Partner with the General Manager, Food & Beverage leadership, and Finance on budgets, forecasts, staffing strategies, and capital priorities.
• Partner across Food & Beverage, Banquets, Sales, Marketing, Rooms, and hotel leadership to develop culinary experiences, programming, and events that strengthen Hotel Arista's reputation and overall guest experience.
• Model the Hotel Arista Brand Values—Care, Intention, Ownership, Excellence, and Stewardship—and ensure they are reflected in how the culinary team leads, operates, and serves.

Benefits

• Major Medical Plans, Dental and Vision Insurance - single or family options available at employee’s election
• Basic Life & AD&D - 100% employer paid
• Short-Term Disability - 100% employer paid
• Supplemental Life, AD&D, Critical Illness, Accident and Disability – single or family options available at employee’s election
• 401(k) Plan & Matching Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Leave Time (up to 40 hours/year)
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 9 Paid Holidays/Year
• Paid Jury Duty Time
• Paid Bereavement for immediate family members
• Partially-Paid Parental Leave
• Hotel/Restaurant Discounts
• Pet Insurance
• Incentive Programs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: Associate degree