Executive Chef | Grassa Gramma

Grassa Gramma•Louisville, KY

23d

About The Position

Grassa Gramma is seeking an experienced, passionate, hands-on Executive Chef to lead the culinary team at its Italian restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky. The restaurant offers an immersive dining experience inspired by Italy’s piazzas, combining authentic cuisine, exceptional hospitality, and theatrical presentation. The Executive Chef will oversee back-of-house operations and kitchen staff, maintain strong service and food-quality standards, and manage labor, purchasing, inventory, and food costs. The role includes recruiting, hiring, training, coaching, and developing the culinary team; maintaining health, sanitation, and safety standards; and working alongside the team during service. The chef will partner with the General Manager to support operational excellence and an outstanding guest experience. This is a visible, guest-facing leadership role. The chef is expected to engage with guests and represent the restaurant. The menu is established and successful, so the emphasis is on excellent execution, team development, consistent standards, and thoughtful improvements rather than constant reinvention.

Requirements

Experience as an Executive Chef in an Italian restaurant.
Executive Chef or accomplished Executive Sous Chef experience in a high-volume, full-service restaurant.
Passion for hospitality and guest satisfaction.
Comfort interacting with guests and representing the restaurant.
Strong operational and financial management skills.
Proven leadership, coaching, and team-building abilities.
Experience managing food cost, labor, inventory, and purchasing.

Nice To Haves

Italian cuisine experience is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Lead all back-of-house operations and kitchen staff.
Schedule labor to budget while maintaining exceptional service standards.
Manage ordering, inventory, and food cost using MarketMan.
Maintain food cost goals of approximately 28%.
Recruit, hire, train, coach, and develop the culinary team.
Ensure consistent recipe execution, presentation, and food quality.
Maintain health department, sanitation, and safety standards.
Work alongside the team during service and lead from the front.
Partner with the General Manager to drive operational excellence and an outstanding guest experience.
Be visible and approachable, visit tables, engage with guests, and serve as an ambassador for the restaurant.
Make thoughtful improvements to the established menu over time.

Benefits

Competitive salary based on experience.
Performance-based bonus opportunities.
100% company-paid family medical insurance, including employee, employee plus spouse, employee plus children, or full-family Bronze health plan options.
100% company-paid family dental and vision insurance.
Three weeks of paid vacation to start, with additional PTO earned based on tenure.
Two weeks of paid maternity/paternity leave in addition to accrued PTO.
401(k) with company match up to 4%.
Company-paid $100,000 life insurance policy.
Employee Assistance Program providing counseling, legal services, financial guidance, and wellness resources.
Company-issued laptop computer.
Paid birthday off.
$500 work anniversary recognition gift.
Employee dining discounts throughout Belle Noble Restaurant Group.
Significant career growth opportunities within a growing multi-concept hospitality company.