Description

Summary

Thompson Houston is now recruiting for an Executive Restaurant Chef for Sol7 . Join our hotel team at our newly launched destination restaurant concept within Thompson Houston Hotel. This position is available to start immediately and will be a part of Thompson Houston's new restaurant, Sol7. The 3-meal dining venue includes an expanded 1-acre pool deck serving hotel guests and residents, luxury cabanas, private event spaces, indoor-outdoor dining areas and the best views of downtown. This restaurant is managed by Thompson Houston Hotel and Hyatt Hotels Corporation.

The Executive Restaurant Chef for Sol 7, is responsible for leading all kitchen operations with creativity, discipline, and passion. This role oversees menu development, provisioning, food preparation, sanitation, and financial performance while ensuring an elevated dining experience that reflects the Thompson brand and the spirit of Houston.

Partnering closely with the Hotel Executive Chef, the Executive Restaurant Chef provides creative direction, operational leadership, and team development to deliver inspired cuisine, seamless service, and memorable guest experiences throughout breakfast, lunch, dinner, and special events at Sol 7.

The ideal candidate is a dynamic leader with a refined palate, strong business acumen, and the ability to cultivate and inspire a high-performing culinary team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily culinary operations for Sol 7, ensuring consistent quality, timely execution, and alignment with Hyatt brand standards.
• Develop and implement innovative, seasonal menus that reflect Houston's cultural influences while maximizing profitability.
• Partner with the Hotel Executive Chef to drive culinary programming, special events, and holiday activations.
• Manage kitchen staff and stewarding teams, including scheduling, training, performance management, and career development.
• Oversee cost controls, ordering, inventory, and waste reduction to meet financial and sustainability goals.
• Maintain rigorous safety and sanitation practices across all kitchen and stewarding areas.
• Collaborate with other hotel departments to ensure seamless guest experiences and cross-outlet consistency.
• Serve as a mentor and motivator, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and professional growth.
• Represent the culinary team in departmental meetings, providing input on strategy, innovation, and execution.

Responsibilities include:

• Support senior leadership by developing and assuming key management responsibilities
• Assume the role of liaison between all departments within the culinary division and all other hotel departments
• Supervise departmental Sous Chefs performance and provide them council as to the preparation and cooking of various food items
• Develop and implement creative menu items that adhere to Hyatt brand standards
• Plan, coordinate & implement special events and holiday functions
• Manage hourly kitchen employees through scheduling, payroll, training, coaching, evaluating and hiring
• Lead and coach the team towards achieving exceptional guest service and employee satisfaction results
• Monitor food production, ordering, cost, and quality and consistency on a daily basis ensuring financial performance and control
• Ensure proper safety and sanitation of all kitchen facilities and equipment
• Organize and facilitate departmental meetings, training and goals setting

Qualifications

• 6+ years of progressive culinary experience, with at least 3 years in a senior leadership role at a high-volume, casual upscale or lifestyle restaurant.
• Proven ability to lead and inspire diverse teams, with strong training, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Culinary degree or equivalent on-the-job training; prior independent restaurant and/or hotel pre-opening experience preferred.
• Strong financial management skills, including labor management, cost controls, and P&L accountability.
• Exceptional creativity with a demonstrated ability to balance innovation and consistency.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and general kitchen management systems.
• Service-oriented with professional presentation skills and a true desire to exceed guest expectations.
• Must be highly organized, flexible, and capable of thriving in a fast-paced, multi-outlet environment.
• Geographic and scheduling flexibility; ability to work long and varied hours as business demands.

• Desired Attributes
• Entrepreneurial spirit with a track record of elevating restaurant identity and guest loyalty.
• High energy, resilience under pressure, and a motivating leadership style.
• Strong community and cultural awareness with a passion for showcasing Houston's culinary scene.
• Previous Hyatt or luxury lifestyle hotel experience strongly preferred.

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts believes in strong commitment to promotion from within. Begin your career today as the Executive Restaurant Chef and find yourself as the Executive Chef within a few years. 70% of management hired is from within Hyatt, 89% of Managing Committee is promoted from within. The statistics are there; make it your next step!