Executive Chef
NOW HIRING: EXECUTIVE CHEF
*Elixir | Angola, Indiana*
*Lead the Kitchen. Set the Standard. Deliver Excellence.*
Elixir, an upscale restaurant and speakeasy located in the heart of historic downtown Angola, Indiana, is seeking a talented, experienced, and highly motivated *Executive Chef* to lead our culinary operations.
We pride ourselves on delivering an exceptional dining experience featuring premium steaks, seafood, thoughtfully crafted dishes, and beautiful presentations in a unique, sophisticated atmosphere.
We are looking for a culinary leader who is passionate about food, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and refuses to compromise on quality, consistency, or food safety.
Key Responsibilities:
- *Culinary Excellence:* Ensure every dish leaving the kitchen meets the highest standards for flavor, temperature, portion accuracy, consistency, and presentation.
- *Exceptional Plating Standards:* Maintain meticulous attention to detail in food presentation. Every plate must reflect Elixir's upscale dining standards, even during the busiest services.
- *Kitchen Leadership:* Lead, train, motivate, and hold kitchen staff accountable while fostering a professional, respectful, and efficient working environment.
- *High-Volume Execution:* Demonstrate the ability to manage a fast-paced kitchen while maintaining exceptional quality, organization, and ticket times under pressure.
- *Food Safety & Sanitation:* Maintain the highest levels of food safety, cleanliness, and sanitation. Ensure full compliance with Indiana health regulations, proper food handling, storage, temperature controls, and HACCP principles.
- *Quality Control:* Personally oversee food preparation, cooking techniques, portion control, and final plate inspection to ensure consistency with established recipes and standards.
- *Inventory & Cost Management:* Control food costs, minimize waste, manage inventory, and maintain proper ordering and purchasing procedures without sacrificing quality.
- *Menu Development:* Collaborate with ownership to refine existing offerings, introduce innovative seasonal dishes, and continually elevate the dining experience.
- *Kitchen Organization:* Establish and enforce effective prep procedures, station readiness, equipment maintenance, and kitchen operating standards.
- *Accountability:* Take ownership of kitchen performance, promptly address issues, and maintain a solutions-oriented approach.
Qualifications:
- Proven experience as an Executive Chef, Head Chef, or experienced Sous Chef ready to advance into a leadership role.
- Strong background in upscale dining, steakhouse, or scratch-kitchen operations preferred.
- Exceptional knowledge of steak preparation, proper cooking temperatures, seafood preparation, sauces, and professional plating techniques.
- Ability to remain calm, organized, and decisive during high-pressure service.
- Thorough understanding of food safety, sanitation, and commercial kitchen regulations.
- Strong leadership, communication, and staff development skills.
- Experience managing food costs, inventory, labor, and kitchen efficiency.
- ServSafe Manager certification preferred; ability to obtain required certification is essential.
- Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as business demands.
What We're Looking For:
We want more than someone who can cook. We want a leader who takes pride in every plate, understands the importance of consistency, and recognizes that exceptional food is the foundation of an outstanding restaurant.
*The right candidate will:*
- Lead by example and work alongside the team.
- Have an uncompromising commitment to quality and cleanliness.
- Understand that presentation matters just as much as taste.
- Take personal responsibility for the performance of the kitchen.
- Maintain high standards without creating a hostile work environment.
- Be passionate about building a reputation for culinary excellence.
Why Join Elixir?
Elixir offers the opportunity to play a key leadership role in a distinctive, independently owned restaurant with an emphasis on exceptional food, craft cocktails, and memorable hospitality.
We are committed to building a culinary team that takes pride in its work and continually strives to exceed guest expectations.
*Location:* Angola, Indiana
*Position:* Executive Chef
*Compensation:* Competitive, based on experience and qualifications
*Interested candidates:* Please submit your résumé along with a brief description of your culinary background, leadership experience, and approach to maintaining quality in a fast-paced kitchen.
*At Elixir, excellence isn't reserved for special occasions. It's the standard we expect on every plate, every service, every day.*
Pay: $50,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person