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Executive Chef - Coastal Staple
Job Description
Job Description: Executive Chef
Overview
We are seeking an innovative and experienced Executive Chef to lead the culinary vision of a prestigious fine-dining restaurant in Southern California. This unique opportunity offers the chance to guide a beloved, multi-generational establishment into its next chapter. Known for its dedication to fresh, locally-sourced seafood and a curated wine list, the restaurant blends casual elegance with sophisticated cuisine.
Salary
- Annual Base Salary Range: $90,000 to $100,000
- Performance-based bonus opportunities available.
Key Responsibilities
- Direct all kitchen operations, ensuring exceptional food quality, presentation, and consistency.
- Create and enhance seasonal menus that focus on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and innovative culinary techniques.
- Ensure strong menu alignment with the restaurant’s fine-dining concept and excellent wine offerings.
- Manage food cost controls, inventory, and supplier relationships to maintain profitability and quality.
- Hire, train, and develop a high-performing culinary team, fostering a respectful and collaborative workplace culture.
- Implement and enforce strict health, safety, and sanitation standards, ensuring compliance with all regulations.
- Collaborate with front-of-house management to provide a seamless dining experience for guests.
- Work closely with leadership to strategize and achieve operational and financial goals.
- Stay abreast of culinary trends to continuously elevate the dining experience.
Qualifications
- Proven experience as an Executive Chef or similar leadership role in a fine-dining environment.
- Expertise in seafood preparation and innovative seasonal cuisine.
- Demonstrated success in menu development, cost management, and achieving financial targets.
- Strong leadership skills, with an emphasis on team development and positive kitchen culture.
- Passion for fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and creating a memorable guest experience.
- Creative experience a plus.
Benefits
- Opportunity to lead a newly renovated and iconic restaurant in a supportive, family-oriented community.
- A balanced work environment with early closings, even on weekends.
This is a rare opportunity to spearhead the culinary transformation of a highly regarded Southern California institution. If you are passionate about leading with creativity and excellence, we encourage you to apply.
As part of our standard recruiting process, we may contact you via SMS text message or email regarding potential job opportunities that align with your profile. By responding to this message and providing us access to your email address and phone number, you agree to these communications. Please note that standard message and data rates may apply depending on your mobile phone service plan. To seek assistance or opt-out of our SMS messages, you can reply with "HELP" or "STOP" at any time. Your consent to communicate with you via SMS text message moving forward is greatly appreciated and will help us keep you informed about exciting career prospects in the future. Thank you for considering this important aspect of our recruitment process.
Meet Your Recruiter

Michael Sumeracki, CPC
Franchise Partner
Michael Sumeracki has been involved in the food and beverage industry for over 30 years, getting his first taste as a busboy in a local family restaurant in Michigan. Instantly hooked on the speed, challenge, and fact that every day brought new experiences, Michael quickly moved into serving in some of the finest restaurants in Michigan until taking over one of the most expansive wine lists in the state as a sommelier.
Michael jumped on the opportunity to be an opening manager for the new Wynn Resort Las Vegas in 2005 and then spent several years working for Motor City Casino and MGM in Detroit until packing his bags again and moving to Southern California where he would continue working for a variety of venues including high-volume restaurants and wineries.
Not completely satisfied with his career path, Michael decided to go back to university where he would complete his BA in human resources management. As luck would have it, Michael was searching for work that would allow time for completing his degree when he connected with the Gecko Hospitality Southern California franchisee and was offered the opportunity to recruit with the company. Two and a half years later, Michael was offered the opportunity to take over the LA and Orange County markets and has accepted the challenge.
Michael currently resides in southern California and keeps busy outside of talent management with hiking, biking, and traveling. He looks forward to continuing the partnerships with the great restaurants and candidates in Southern California.
Since 2000, Gecko Hospitality and its dedicated Franchise Partners and Recruiters throughout the United States and Canada have been pioneers in the hospitality recruiting industry. The value that Gecko Hospitality provides to its clientele is evident in the advanced networking and technology skills our professional recruiters possess in identifying qualified restaurant professionals.
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