Executive Chef

Full-Time

EXECUTIVE CHEF-HILLTOP SKANEATELES

Perched at the gateway to the Village of Skaneateles, in the heart of New York’s Finger Lakes region, Hilltop Skaneateles is a vibrant destination for fine food and fun. Taking its name from the former Hilltop Restaurant and Cedar House Bowling Center & Lounge, which once occupied the site, the newly reimagined venue offers a gathering place for a new generation.

Within the space, you’ll find Hilltop Coffee, a buzzy modern café with specialty coffee and grab-and-go breakfast items; Hilltop Social, a lively recreation hall with games and a tap room focused on New York producers; Hilltop Hotel, offering convenient accommodations in one of the area's most picturesque towns; and Sprig, an elevated restaurant featuring globally inspired cuisine and a thoughtfully curated wine program.

Position Summary

The Executive Chef will provide culinary leadership for Hilltop’s food and beverage operations. This individual will oversee menu development, kitchen operations, team leadership, food quality, cost controls, purchasing, inventory management, and vendor relationships while creating memorable dining experiences that reflect the unique character of each concept.

This role requires a hands-on leader who thrives in a multi-outlet environment, inspires high-performing teams, and balances creativity with operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Culinary Leadership

• Develop and execute innovative menus for all Hilltop food outlets.
• Maintain consistent food quality, presentation standards, and guest satisfaction.
• Stay current with culinary trends while honoring approachable, guest-focused dining experiences.

Operations Management

• Direct all back-of-house operations across multiple venues.
• Establish and maintain food safety, sanitation, and HACCP standards.
• Monitor labor, food cost, waste reduction, and profitability metrics.
• Ensure efficient kitchen workflows and production systems.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Manage purchasing, inventory controls, and vendor relationships.
• Negotiate pricing and maintain strong supplier partnerships.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency while maintaining quality standards.

Events & Hospitality

• Collaborate with leadership on private events, corporate functions, weddings, and group experiences.
• Design scalable food programs that support Hilltop Social events and hotel guests.
• Partner with front-of-house teams to deliver exceptional guest experiences.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years of Executive Chef or Senior Culinary Leadership experience.
• Proven success managing multi-outlet food and beverage operations.
• Strong culinary creativity with experience across diverse cuisine styles.
• Demonstrated expertise in menu engineering, food cost management, and labor controls.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and team-building skills.
• Strong knowledge of food safety regulations and kitchen best practices.

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Vision insurance