Executive Chef, Fort Lauderdale Airport
Req ID: 37473
Job type: Full-Time
Subsidiary: Travel
The opportunity
Delaware North Travel Hospitality Services is seeking an Executive Chef to join our team at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to oversee the culinary operations of 24 diverse restaurant concepts catering to thousands of travelers daily. This high-profile unit requires an individual with exceptional culinary expertise and strong communication skills to effectively collaborate with clients, business partners, and senior leadership. The role involves managing a team of over 300 employees, BOH ensuring outstanding food quality, safety, and compliance across all outlets. The Executive Chef must bring strong organizational skills, creativity, and a passion for delivering world-class dining experiences. This role requires balancing strategic planning with hands-on involvement, ensuring seamless operations in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
Pay
Pay
Minimum – Anticipated Maximum Base Salary: $81,900 – $110,600 / year
In addition to base salary, we offer an annual bonus plan based on company and individual performance, or a role-based, uncapped sales incentive plan. The advertised pay range represents what we believe at the time of this job posting, that we would be willing to pay for this position. Only in special circumstances, where a candidate has education, training, or experience that far exceeds the requirements for the position, would we consider paying higher than the stated range. Information on our comprehensive benefits package can be found at https://careers.delawarenorth.com/benefits/.
What we offer
Benefits
At Delaware North, we care about our team members’ personal and professional journeys. These are just some of the benefits we offer:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with up to 4% company match
- Annual performance bonus based on level, as well as individual, company, and location performance
- Paid vacation days and holidays
- Paid parental bonding leave
- Tuition and/or professional certification reimbursement
- Generous friends-and-family discounts at many of our hotels and resorts
What will you do?
- Inspiring, coaching, and directing kitchen staff, including sous chefs, line cooks, and prep teams, to maintain high standards of culinary excellence and operational efficiency.
- Crafting innovative menus tailored to diverse customer preferences, while incorporating seasonal ingredients and current dining trends.
- Managing inventory, procurement, and cost control to ensure profitability and sustainability in alignment with company goals and policies.
- Upholding rigorous standards for health and safety regulations, maintaining HACCP compliance, and ensuring staff training on food handling protocols.
- Partnering with senior leadership, restaurant managers, clients, and stakeholders to drive guest satisfaction, optimize revenue, and contribute to the overall success of the FLL airport dining experience.
- Identifying and mentoring future culinary leaders, fostering a culture of growth and excellence.
- Building and maintaining productive relationships with clients and partners to address feedback, ensure alignment with expectations, and enhance the reputation of the unit.Hire, train, and mobilize kitchen and service teams
- Prepare operational reports; highlight progress, adverse trends, and make recommendations for success
- Possess working knowledge of company invoice tracking, labor tracking, schedule preparation, food cost management, labor cost management, inventory control, and hiring, counseling, and termination policies
More about you
- Minimum three years’ experience as an Executive Chef in a high-volume industry-leading concept with 10 years’ culinary experience in established restaurants and catering companies
- Certificate or degree in Culinary Arts preferred; ServSafe and Food Safety Handler certifications required
- Strong financial and computer skills; experience working with and understanding of P&Ls and budgeting; knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and point-of-sale (POS) systems
- Ability to work a flexible schedule to accommodate business needs
- Proven ability to lead team members clearly and concisely while positively influencing behavior and performance
Shift details
Evening shift
Split shift
Holidays
Evenings as needed
Weekends
10 hour shift
12 hour shift
Overtime as needed
Who we are
Delaware North provides hospitality services at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Travelers have a wide variety of dining options including local favorite Casavana, and an original concept developed with golf icon Jack Nicklaus, the Golden Bear Grill. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport serves more than 35 million passengers each year. Delaware North has operated here since 1984.
Our business is all about people, and that includes you. At Delaware North, you’re not just part of a team — you’re part of a global legacy: a family-owned company with 100+ years of history behind it. Our operations span the world, offering you unique paths to growth and success.
Who says you can’t love where you work? With jobs in iconic sports arenas, stunning national parks, exciting casinos, and more, we pride ourselves on giving the world great times in great places. And whether you’re interested in restaurants, hotels, sports, gaming, operations, or retail, part-time or full-time, we’re invested in helping you achieve your career goals.
Together, we’re shaping the future of hospitality — come grow with us!
Delaware North, along with its subsidiaries, is an equal opportunity employer, showcasing job opportunities and considering applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.
Based on a foundation of family and hospitality
When the Jacobs family started their humble popcorn and peanuts stand more than a century ago, they had no idea the venture would grow into one of the world’s largest privately owned hospitality companies. Delaware North has thrived for three generations, serving guests at iconic venues worldwide through innovation, integrity, and dedication.
Our team members are the heart and soul of our business, creating unforgettable guest experiences every day — from the first tee as the official catering partner of the PGA of America Championships and domestic Ryder Cup to a first-class meal at a dream Disney® location. We proudly offer countless growth and learning opportunities, guided by top-tier hospitality mentors.
Find connection, purpose, and growth at Delaware North.
Hourly benefits
Weekly
pay
For hourly team members
Employee discounts
(varies by location)
For eligible team members
Employee Assistance
Program
For all team members
Referral
bonuses
For all team members
Flexible work
schedules
For all team members
Training and
development
For all team members
Salary benefits
Employee
assistance program
For all team members
Referral
bonuses
For all team members
Flexible work
schedules
For all team members
Training and
development
For all team members
Health, dental, and
vision insurance
For eligible team members
401(k) with up to
4% company match
For eligible team members
Paid vacation days and holidays
For eligible team members
Performance
bonuses
For eligible team members
Paid parental
bonding leave
For eligible team members
Employee discounts
(varies by location)
For eligible team members
U.S. benefits
Every team member has the right to feel comfortable, safe, and secure at work. See what your Delaware North benefits package includes.
Employee
assistance program
For all team members
Referral
bonuses
For all team members
Flexible work
schedules
For all team members
Training and
development
For all team members
Health, dental, and
vision insurance
For eligible team members
401(k) with up to
4% company match
For eligible team members
Paid time off
and holidays
For eligible team members
Performance
bonuses
For eligible team members
Paid parental
bonding leave
For eligible team members
Employee discounts
(varies by location)
For eligible team members
Weekly
pay
For hourly team members
U.K. benefits
Work at some of the coolest venues in the U.K. and the world, and feel safe and secure while you do what you love.
See what your Delaware North benefits include.
Competitive
weekly pay
Casual and hourly team members
Training and
development
with Attensi, our award-winning training app
33-day holiday allowance
(including bank holidays)
for permanent team members
Favorable pension
contributions
for permanent team members
Employee discounts
and perks
Access to Drewberry App
Casual benefits
Competitive
weekly pay
Training and
development
Flexible work
schedules
Work at some of the world’s coolest venues
Permanent benefits
33-day holiday allowance
(including bank holidays)
Favourable pension
contributions
Employee discounts
and perks
Training and
development
Team member journeys
Artem’s story
Executive Chef, Lincoln Ristorante
Artem began his journey as a cook, later being promoted to sous chef and then executive chef.
September 2014
April 2018 to September 2019
March 2022 to present
Madeline’s story
Senior Analyst
After being hired as a front desk agent at the Westin, Madeline sought out mentorship from company leaders and quickly worked her way up to manager, then director, before landing herself a corporate senior analyst role.
April 2017
December 2017
October 2018
February 2022
August 2024
Becki’s story
Concessions Chef
Starting as a prep cook, Becki was promoted to a restaurant supervisor and then concessions chef in her first year. By her third year, she was a certified sous chef.
March 2016
March 2017
March 2017 to present
March 2019
March 2023 to present
Yuhi’s story
Director of Culinary
After working as a line cook and then sous chef, Yuhi left to pursue other interests before returning as an executive chef and being promoted to a director position.
(Rockefeller Center)
October 2003
May 2005
(Rockefeller Center)
April 2012
Morimoto Asia Orlando
January 2016
Patina Orlando
June 2022
Francesco’s story
Boxes Manager, Emirates Stadium
After Francesco helped alleviate issues as a stadium box waiter, he was given new challenges and promotions leading up to his current role as boxes manager.
2009 to 2010
2010 to 2013
2013 to present
Nicola’s story
Business Support Manager, Wembley Stadium
Starting with the eventual goal of becoming a full-time boxes manager at Wembley Stadium, Nicola successfully worked her way up from private box waiter.
February 2012
August 2013
March 2014
March 2015
September 2016
January 2017
August 2019
September 2023 to present
CHEFS® OVERVIEW
Delaware North is proud to offer an industry-leading, one-year program for emerging culinarians looking to develop their skills and progress their careers. Created in partnership with the Culinary Institute of America, CHEFS (Culinary & Hospitality Excellence for Future Success) provides hands-on executive chef mentorship, training, and coursework that results in ProChef I certification and a clear path to career success.
UK locations overview
Get excited. Working in one of the world’s coolest venues hardly feels like work at all. Between great teammates and the roar of the crowd, the atmosphere is electric with a job at a famous stadium or other iconic locations in London or Derby. Looking to be in the middle of the action? You’re in the right place.
Culinary life
UK team member life
