Executive Chef

American Cruise Lines is the largest U.S. cruise line dedicated to delivering immersive travel experiences, exceptional service, and world-class cuisine. Specializing in river and coastal cruises, the company offers over 50 unique itineraries across America's most breathtaking waterways, such as New England, the Southeast, the Mississippi River, the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and the Great Lakes. Known for its emphasis on small ship cruising, American Cruise Lines enables guests to experience America’s most iconic destinations intimately and authentically. The company prides itself on its commitment to providing an unparalleled guest experience by combining comfort, discovery, and culinary excellence onboard its fleet of fine American ships.

The Executive Chef role at American Cruise Lines is a prestigious and significant position integral to the success of its onboard hospitality. This full-time, exempt role involves overseeing all culinary operations on the ship during the cruise season, which spans several weeks with cycles of working and living onboard followed by time off. The Executive Chef leads a dynamic galley crew, typically between 6 and 10 members, driving the preparation and presentation of elevated, regionally influenced cuisine that reflects the rich flavors of the various American regions the ship visits. The successful candidate will be responsible for not only quality control of the food served but also ensuring compliance with FDA, sanitation, and safety standards.

This position offers a unique opportunity to combine culinary expertise with leadership skills in a fast-paced, rewarding environment that constantly changes as the ship navigates different locations. Executive Chefs must thrive in a hands-on leadership role, managing kitchen inventory, portion control, and waste reduction while adapting to last-minute changes efficiently and maintaining a calm and positive approach. The role demands technical skill and creativity in menu development, alongside the ability to inspire, train, mentor, and direct the kitchen team to uphold American Cruise Lines' high standards. Cooking onboard requires adaptability given the ship’s movement and the need to work long, intensive shifts in a professional yet collaborative setting.

Aligned with the company values of Optimism, Commitment, Patriotism, and Merit, the Executive Chef contributes to sharing America's story through a culinary lens. This is a career-defining role suitable for chefs with 6 to 8-plus years of experience in upscale, full-service resorts, hotels, country clubs, or banquet settings, who also possess strong leadership, communication, and training abilities. Certifications such as ServSafe Manager and having a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) are highly preferred. American Cruise Lines supports its employees by providing comprehensive benefits and covering travel, accommodation, uniforms, and training expenses, making this an attractive and competitive opportunity for culinary leaders wanting to travel America and deliver memorable dining experiences at sea.