Executive Chef - Elon University

Harvest Table Culinary Group is a distinguished food service management company renowned for its commitment to providing exceptional culinary experiences. Rooted in a mission to serve not only delicious food but also to enrich communities, partners, employees, and the environment, Harvest Table Culinary Group exemplifies a workplace culture that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and equal employment opportunity. With a strong foundation in operational excellence and a passion for culinary innovation, HTCG has built a reputation for delivering best-in-class dining services that meet high standards of quality, safety, and sustainability. The company believes in fostering a collaborative and rewarding work environment where employees are empowered to excel and grow professionally.

The position at Elon University is a management role under the auspices of Harvest Table Culinary Group. This role is responsible for developing and executing culinary strategies that cater to diverse customer needs and tastes, blending creativity with operational precision. The manager oversees culinary operations from preparation through final presentation and service, ensuring that the standards of production, presentation, and guest satisfaction are consistently met or exceeded. The role demands a leader who can effectively manage and inspire a culinary team, including coaching Chef de Cuisine and Sous Chefs to deliver an exceptional dining experience.

A significant responsibility of the management position is to uphold compliance with Harvest Table's Executional Framework, which integrates best practices in food safety, quality assurance, and operational efficiency. This includes leading by example in food production techniques, maintaining rigorous safety and sanitation protocols, and ensuring that all kitchen and dining operations conform to company and regulatory standards.

This role requires a hands-on approach to overseeing day-to-day culinary activities, enabling the culinary team to achieve set production and labor targets, and maintaining a sharp focus on margin improvement through effective cost management and resource utilization. The manager ensures that waste management, standard menus, recipes, and ingredient usage align with the company's Operational Excellence guidelines, balancing creativity with consistency.

Furthermore, the manager acts as a liaison between kitchen operations and customers or clients, fostering strong business relationships based on trust and mutual benefit. They monitor and communicate regional culinary trends to keep the menu offerings fresh and appealing, and they maintain thorough documentation such as training records, checklists, and performance data to support continuous team development and operational transparency.

Critical to this role is the commitment to safety and compliance with all applicable laws, including occupational safety and wage and hour regulations, to create a secure and equitable workplace. This management position at Elon University offers an opportunity to lead within a respected culinary group that values integrity, excellence, and community impact, making it an ideal job for a culinary professional with at least four years of experience and strong leadership skills.