P

PENN Entertainment

Operates casinos, racetracks, and online betting

Executive Chef

Culinary & Kitchen ProductionPosted on Nov 5
Full-timeJoliet, IL, USAIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

  • A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
  • A degree or certification in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, or a related field is preferred.
  • At least seven years of progressive culinary experience is required, including at least three years as an Executive Chef or senior culinary leader.
  • Experience in a high-volume, upscale, luxury, celebrity-chef, or fine-dining restaurant is strongly preferred.
  • Advanced knowledge of Italian cuisine, contemporary culinary techniques, menu development, and premium ingredients is preferred.
  • Experience managing food costs, labor, inventory, purchasing, budgets, and profit-and-loss performance is required.
  • Ability to recruit, lead, develop, and retain high-performing culinary teams is required.
  • Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, allergen awareness, and applicable health regulations is required.
  • ServSafe Manager certification is required or must be obtained within the period established by the company.
  • Experience working in a casino, resort, hotel, entertainment, or union environment is preferred.
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours, is required.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain all licenses, permits, certifications, and registrations required for the position is required.
  • Ability to understand and communicate effectively in English is required.
  • Ability to stand and walk for extended periods; use hands and fingers; reach, bend, stoop, kneel, or crouch; and communicate with team members is required.
  • Ability to work around heat, steam, open flames, sharp equipment, and refrigerated areas is required.
  • Ability to occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds and push or pull carts and kitchen equipment is required.
  • Vision sufficient for close, distance, peripheral, color, and depth perception is required.

Responsibilities

  • Provide overall leadership and direction for all back-of-house culinary operations.
  • Ensure consistent execution of recipes, menus, plating standards, and brand expectations.
  • Partner with the General Manager to deliver a seamless, elevated, and memorable guest experience.
  • Maintain the integrity of the restaurant’s culinary vision while supporting innovation and seasonal menu development.
  • Oversee food preparation, production, presentation, portioning, and quality across all kitchen stations.
  • Maintain a visible presence during service and ensure food is prepared and presented according to established specifications.
  • Develop, implement, and maintain standardized recipes, production procedures, and quality-control processes.
  • Collaborate with brand representatives and property leadership on menu changes, special events, promotions, and culinary activations.
  • Develop and manage the culinary operating budget, food-cost targets, labor goals, forecasts, and capital needs.
  • Review profit-and-loss statements, labor reports, food costs, inventory results, and other financial information.
  • Implement corrective action when financial or operational performance does not meet established expectations.
  • Oversee purchasing, receiving, storage, product rotation, inventory, waste reduction, and loss-prevention practices.
  • Maintain appropriate staffing and production levels based on forecasted business volume.
  • Recruit, select, train, develop, coach, and retain a talented and diverse culinary team.
  • Provide leadership and development to the Executive Sous Chef, Sous Chefs, and other culinary leaders.
  • Establish clear performance expectations and hold culinary leaders and team members accountable.
  • Conduct kitchen meetings, pre-shift meetings, menu tastings, performance discussions, and training sessions.
  • Create a professional, respectful, inclusive, and engaging kitchen culture that promotes teamwork and accountability.
  • Partner with Human Resources on recruitment, employee relations, performance management, and succession planning.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable health codes, sanitation requirements, food-safety standards, gaming regulations, and company policies.
  • Maintain cleanliness, organization, safety, and sanitation throughout all culinary areas.
  • Ensure proper labeling, dating, storage temperatures, allergen controls, and food-handling practices.
  • Ensure kitchen equipment is properly operated, cleaned, maintained, and reported for repair when necessary.
  • Understand and consistently administer the Collective Bargaining Agreement, where applicable.
  • Maintain accurate culinary, financial, inventory, scheduling, production, and compliance records.
  • Respond to guest feedback and work with the General Manager to resolve food-quality or dining-experience concerns.
  • Serve as the primary culinary liaison with property leadership, brand partners, vendors, and internal departments.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Desired Qualifications

  • Experience in a high-volume, upscale, luxury, celebrity-chef, or fine-dining restaurant.
  • Advanced knowledge of Italian cuisine, contemporary culinary techniques, menu development, and premium ingredients.
  • Experience working in a casino, resort, hotel, entertainment, or union environment.

About the Company

PENN Entertainment

Operates casinos, racetracks, and online betting

Penn Entertainment runs a nationwide network of casinos and racetracks and builds a strong online gaming and sports betting platform. It operates 42 casinos and racetracks across 19 states, alongside a digital sports betting and iGaming presence and sports media properties. Its products work by combining physical venues with online platforms so customers can bet, play casino games, or follow sports content across both in-person and digital channels, using a unified account and cross-channel experiences. Compared with competitors, the company differentiates itself with its large, diverse footprint and its omni‑channel approach that links land-based gaming, online wagering, and media partnerships into one ecosystem. The company’s goal is to lead the North American gaming industry by growing its community of players and expanding its integrated entertainment experiences across physical venues, online platforms, and media.

Company size
5,001-10,000
Company stage
IPO
Headquarters
Wyomissing, PA
Founded
1972

Recently Posted Jobs

Explore more opportunities at PENN Entertainment

See more jobs