Director of Culinary

Idle Hour Country Club, established in 1946, is a prestigious private, member-owned club located in Lexington, Kentucky. Known for its rich tradition, warm hospitality, and multigenerational community, Idle Hour has maintained a reputation as a premier club for families and individuals who value exclusivity and a strong sense of belonging. As the club prepares to embark on a new chapter, including a major kitchen renovation, it is actively seeking an experienced and visionary Director of Culinary to lead the culinary team and shape the future of its dining experience.

The Director of Culinary at Idle Hour Country Club is a pivotal executive-level leadership role responsible for developing and maintaining culinary standards, mentoring kitchen leadership, and designing operational frameworks that ensure timing, quality, and consistency across all culinary venues. This position is not involved in the day-to-day kitchen line duties but focuses on leadership, system architecture, and continuity across the culinary department. Reporting directly to the Clubhouse Manager and General Manager/COO, the Director of Culinary works closely with the Executive Chef, Food and Beverage leadership, and other key stakeholders to establish a resilient culinary system that does not rely solely on any one individual but ensures excellence is embedded within the club’s operations.

Key aspects of the role include serving as the club’s senior culinary standards architect who designs and maintains systems for consistent quality and accountability; mentoring and developing the culinary leadership team to build a strong succession pipeline and improve overall leadership bench strength; overseeing the kitchen’s functioning during the renovation phase by establishing temporary operational models; guiding menu architecture and culinary innovation in partnership with the Executive Chef; and providing financial oversight relating to food costs, labor management, and purchasing controls.

Moreover, the Director of Culinary takes an active role in collaborating across departments to align food service pacing, execution, and member experience recovery. Monitoring member feedback through dining experience surveys and implementing corrective action loops are critical to maintaining high satisfaction levels. This role also serves as a senior culinary liaison for communications with the Board and other committees, ensuring transparency and strategic culinary leadership.

The ideal candidate for this position is a systems thinker with over 10 years of progressive culinary leadership experience, preferably within private clubs, luxury hospitality, or fine dining sectors. They demonstrate a strong ability to design operations, multiply leadership impact, and foster an environment that values tradition and member-centric hospitality. Candidates with certifications such as from the American Culinary Federation (ACF) or comparable credentials, competency in systems like Jonas, and demonstrated financial acumen will be highly competitive.

Idle Hour Country Club offers a competitive salary reflective of the candidate’s experience, an annual performance bonus linked to key performance indicators, a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision insurance, a 401(k) plan, and opportunities for continuing education and professional development. Relocation assistance is negotiable for the right candidate. This role is an exceptional opportunity for culinary leaders who are energized by building sustainable systems that endure and flourish in a private club environment. Interested applicants should submit their resumes along with a cover letter to Chris Kennedy, CCM, General Manager/COO, via the provided contact information for consideration.