Resort Executive Chef

Westgate Resorts•Gatlinburg, TN

12d•Onsite

About The Position

Adjacent to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most-visited national park in the country, Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, provides an amazing work environment with refreshing mountain breezes and spectacular views of the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains. As a member of the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort team, you will meet and engage with guests who have arrived to enjoy all the Great Smoky Mountains have to offer and help them experience our world-class amenities such as the state-of-the-art Wild Bear Falls water park. As part of Westgate Resorts, recognized by U.S. News as one of the Best Companies to Work For, you’ll be joining a team committed to excellence and creating unforgettable vacation experiences and supporting your career growth where you are or at 60+ resorts across the company. What You'll Do as a Resort Executive Chef: As a Resort Executive Chef at Westgate Resorts you are responsible for providing overall culinary leadership for a our Southern Comfort Restaurant, ensuring consistent, high-quality food production across diverse kitchens and dining concepts. This role oversees menu development, food quality standards, kitchen operations, staff development, financial performance, and compliance with all health and safety regulations. The Executive Chef partners closely with Food & Beverage leadership to deliver exceptional guest experiences, maintain strong cost controls, and uphold the resort’s brand, culinary identity, and service vision. This position manages all kitchen and culinary staff, ensuring cohesive operations. You will demonstrate Westgate’s core values of Passion, Integrity, and Work Ethic in every interaction with guests and team members.

Requirements

High school diploma or general education degree (GED).
7 years of progressive experience in a culinary leadership experience and or/training equivalent role.
Working knowledge of all applicable laws, codes, and F&B regulations.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to read, write and speak English fluently, Spanish is a plus.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from team members, managers, clients, owners/guests, and the public.
Collaborate with clients, F&B Director, and sales to outline and contribute to BEO’s.
Strong general management skills, including time management, information analysis, planning and organizing, decision making, problem solving and delivery of results.
Strong financial management skills, including budget management, expense control, forecasting, inventory management, ordering and analysis of financial statements.
Strong people management skills, including coaching, motivating, delegating, scheduling and relationship building.
Must be able to lift and move up to 50 lbs. while performing the duties of this job.
Must be flexible in working when needed and when business demands, including weekends, evenings, and holidays.

Responsibilities

Oversee all culinary operations across outlets, banquets, and catering, ensuring alignment with quality, presentation, and guest satisfaction standards.
Lead menu development and engineering, conducting regular sales analysis and cost evaluations to drive profitability.
Collaborate with outlet managers to ensure seamless kitchen and service coordination.
Implement and uphold departmental action plans, standard operating procedures, and contingency plans.
Attend departmental and leadership meetings to align on resort and culinary initiatives.
Comply with all CFI policies and procedures and represent Westgate Resorts in a professional manner through appearance, dress, and behavior at all times.
Participate in company budgeting, forecasting, and departmental goal-setting initiatives.
Manage labor costs and kitchen staffing, creating and approving schedules to ensure operational efficiency and guest satisfaction.
Analyze and approve invoices, requisitions, and food purchasing activities in line with budget and quality expectations.
Ensure compliance with beverage and food cost control procedures.
Maintain accurate and timely department reporting, cost analysis, and budget planning data.
Keep accurate recipes, inventory controls, ordering procedures, and standardized operating manuals for all kitchen operations.
Conduct performance evaluations, deliver training programs, and provide coaching and corrective action in accordance with company policies.
Support and reinforce team recognition and reward programs that promote engagement and high performance.
Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and health standards through routine inspections and adherence to company and government regulations.
Monitor and evaluate food preparation methods, presentation, and portion control to maintain consistency and guest satisfaction.
Provide exceptional guest service by addressing concerns and managing special requests or dietary needs with urgency and professionalism.
Assist with hands-on cooking and food production during peak times or events.
Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Comprehensive Health Benefits – Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
Paid Time Off – Vacation, Sick, and Personal Time to Recharge
Paid Holidays
401(k) with Generous Company Match to Support Your Future
Daily Pay – Access Your Earnings When You Need Them
Family-Focused Benefits – Pregnancy, Parental Leave, and Adoption Assistance
Wellness Programs to Support Your Well-Being
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Tuition Assistance to Help You Grow Your Career
Military Leave
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Support When You Need It Most
Life, Disability, Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Insurance
Pet Insurance for Your Furry Family Members
Loyalty Program – Exclusive Discounts on Hotels, Cruises, Resorts, Restaurants, Entertainment, and More
Low-Cost Gym Membership
NEW! David A. Siegel Legacy Scholarship – Up to $40,000 for Team Members’ Dependents
Career Growth and Advancement Opportunities
Community Involvement – Give Back and Make an Impact