Executive Chef

Rocky Top Catering is a premier catering company renowned for delivering exceptional culinary experiences across a diverse range of events and venues. With a strong reputation for quality and innovation, Rocky Top Catering serves the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus and surrounding community with tailored dining solutions that meet the highest standards of taste, presentation, and service. The organization prides itself on its ability to blend creativity with operational excellence, ensuring every event is memorable and every meal exceeds expectations. As a leader in the catering industry, Rocky Top Catering emphasizes teamwork, continuous improvement, and a guest-focused approach that drives customer satisfaction and loyalty.

The Executive Chef role at Rocky Top Catering represents a senior leadership opportunity to oversee and elevate culinary operations at UNC Chapel Hill. This position is critical in managing high-volume athletic dining, premium hospitality venues, and extensive catering services that support a vibrant campus community. The Executive Chef is responsible for providing strategic leadership, fostering a culture of culinary excellence, and ensuring operational and financial performance across multiple service areas.

In this multifaceted role, the Executive Chef will spearhead the development and execution of menus that align with client expectations, brand standards, and operational efficiencies. They will also play a crucial role in managing food production to consistently deliver quality and presentation at the highest levels. The position requires a balance between hands-on culinary expertise and high-level strategic oversight, ensuring both daily operations and long-term objectives are met effectively.

Leadership is a core component, as the Executive Chef will build, mentor, and retain strong culinary teams, including sous chefs and other kitchen leaders. Creating a culture of accountability, professionalism, and continuous improvement is essential to this role's success. Collaboration with operations and front-of-house leadership ensures smooth alignment and execution during routine service and large-scale events.

The role also demands astute operational and financial acumen. The Executive Chef will manage budgetary responsibilities including food costs, labor management, and vendor relationships, leveraging data and reporting tools to optimize margins and support scalability. Efficiency improvement, waste reduction, and innovative process implementation are ongoing expectations.

Execution of large-scale events, such as game day operations and premium hospitality experiences, will require careful planning and close collaboration with sales and venue leadership. The Executive Chef will translate event needs into actionable culinary plans, anticipating and resolving operational challenges proactively.

Offering a salary range of $100,000 to $115,000 plus a performance-based bonus, this opportunity invites a passionate culinary leader to join Rocky Top Catering and make a tangible impact on the university’s dining landscape. The Executive Chef role is best suited for an experienced culinary professional with a proven track record in managing high-volume and multi-outlet environments, and a commitment to nurturing talented teams and delivering unparalleled guest experiences.