Chef Jobs in Michigan
Chef jobs in Michigan are concentrated in Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Ann Arbor, where a thriving restaurant scene, growing hospitality sector, and major institutional employers drive consistent demand at every level from line cook to executive chef. Well-established employers with lasting Michigan footprints include MGM Grand Detroit, Marriott International, and Aramark, which operates accounts at universities, hospitals, and corporate facilities throughout the state. The most in-demand specialties are fine dining, large-volume institutional food service, and contemporary American cuisine. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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At Heirloom Hospitality Group, our purpose is “Cultivating Relationships & Experiences through the fanatic pursuit of Enlightened Hospitality." We are dedicated to creating an environment that promotes creativity, passion, and a genuine sense of community.
We are seeking an Executive Chef for upcoming projects in Metro Detroit, Michigan with the possibility for relocation to future projects nationally who can embody our core values:
- Consistently care about the smallest details
- Be kind, be happy
- Own it with pride
- Willingness to learn and teach
- Every Second Counts
These values drive our pursuit of excellence and form the foundation of our work culture. If you believe in the power of enlightened hospitality and resonate with our core values, we would love to hear from you…
Qualificaitons:- Minimum of four years of culinary management experience; high volume upscale dining experience is required.
- Strong culinary experience in a diverse set of cuisines with a creative gift
- Demonstrated ability to connect with people, resolve conflict, drive engagement, mentor and develop teams
- Exceptional organizational skills and professionalism
- Demonstrated competency in the skills require for financial systems management and cost controls
- Ability to create and document efficient Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Proactive approach to analyzing and mitigating risks, seeking effective solutions.
- Results-driven mindset with a continuous focus on enhancing efficiency and guest satisfaction.
- Food Handlers Certificate Required
- Punctual, resourceful, and disciplined
- Ability to relate to people of all levels and personalities while remaining professional
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, changing environment
- Flexibility to work a varied schedule including weekends and holidays
- Exceptional interpersonal skills and a professional demeanor
- The ability to collaborate with others and work as a team to find the perfect person for the job
- Warm, friendly demeanor
- Maintain flexibility and be able to set priorities as challenges are presented in a fast-paced, changing, and dynamic environment
Job Functions & Responsibilities:
As an Executive Chef, you will collaborate closely with Culinary Leadership and Dining Room Management to lead daily culinary operations and strategy. Working in collaboration with Heirloom Executive Leadership, you will have creative control over menu changes and will be pivotal in driving sales, managing costs, and growing our brands with your team. Your commitment to our core values will be crucial in this role.
- Leadership + Team Development: Uphold and demonstrate our core values in all aspects of your work. Build, lead, mentor, and maintain a motivated and high performing kitchen team. Foster an environment of cooperation, respect, continuous improvement and employee engagement.
- Guest Experience: Create and foster an environment that prioritizes our guests’ experiences and values teamwork. Anticipate and address guests’ service needs and manage opportunities and issues to ensure satisfaction.
- Menu Development + Implementation: Stay current with the latest trends in culinary arts and beverage. Working with Heirloom Executive Leadership, exercise creative control over menu changes, ensuring the creation of innovative, high-quality, on brand and relevant dishes. Document detailed recipes and SOPs.
- Live the mission of Heirloom Hospitality; Cultivating Relationships & Experiences through the fanatic pursuit of Enlightened Hospitality. Is this supposed to be here?
- Operational Efficiency: Contribute significantly to our team and business growth. Improve the operational efficiency of the restaurant, ensuring food costs and labor are within budget, waste is minimized, and operations run smoothly. Embrace scalable systems that allow for consistency in process and systems across all Heirloom restaurants.
- Quality Assurance + Compliance: Maintain an organized high-standard kitchen, valuing the smallest details. Uphold health, safety, emergency management, sanitation and maintenance standards. Ensure all food safety systems and procedures are executed in accordance with company standards and local/state/federal law.
- Inventory Management + Procurement: Ensure preparation quantities support forecasted business levels through proactive management of ordering, prepping, and maintaining accurate par levels. Develop and maintain positive relationships with suppliers and vendors.
- Training + Development: Lead day-to-day operations effectively, providing the tools and training needed for a smooth service. Implementing ongoing skills training to ensure the restaurant’s service excellence and culinary standards.
- Financial Management: Responsible for maintaining and improving profitability. Control expenses against budget, implement effective cost controls while delivering the highest possible standard in culinary excellence.
This is a full-time position, that will work out of an Heirloom Hospitality group restaurant and report to Heirloom Executive Leadership while collaborating with the restaurant General Manager.
Willing to relocate exceptional candidates nationally. More detail about Heirloom Hospitality part of Heirloom Hospitality Group LLC
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Where Michigan roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Chef Job Market in Michigan
A snapshot from current Michigan openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Retail
- Food & Beverage
- Hospitality & Tourism
What Michigan Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in chef jobs across Michigan.
- ServSafe Food Manager Certification or equivalent Michigan-accepted food safety credential
- Proven experience preparing and executing menus in a professional kitchen environment
- Knowledge of food cost control, inventory management, and kitchen budgeting practices
- Ability to lead and train kitchen staff during high-volume service periods
- Familiarity with Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development food safety standards
- Proficiency with commercial kitchen equipment and current culinary techniques
Chef Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a chef in Michigan?
Michigan does not require a state-issued chef license, but most employers expect a culinary degree or completion of an accredited program such as those offered at Schoolcraft College or Grand Rapids Community College. Food service workers handling food must hold a Michigan Food Handler certification, and supervisors typically need a ServSafe Food Manager certificate recognized by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Building a portfolio through kitchen internships or apprenticeships strengthens your candidacy.
Which companies hire chefs in Michigan?
Companies currently hiring chefs in Michigan include KFC, Creative Dining Services, and Levy, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Michigan's combination of casino resorts, university dining programs, and large hospital systems makes it one of the more diversified states for institutional and hospitality chef employment.
Which Michigan cities have the most chef jobs?
Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Birmingham lead Michigan for chef openings. Detroit drives the largest share of postings thanks to its casino resorts, downtown hotel corridor, and growing independent restaurant scene, while Grand Rapids benefits from a dense concentration of corporate headquarters and a nationally recognized culinary community, and Ann Arbor's University of Michigan generates steady institutional demand year-round.
Are there remote chef jobs in Michigan?
Yes, but they're rare. Cooking is inherently hands-on and on-site, so most chef roles require a physical presence in a kitchen. About 0% of chef openings tied to Michigan are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions tend to be in culinary consulting, menu development, or food content creation rather than line or kitchen leadership work.
How can I get hired as a chef in Michigan with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is a prep cook or kitchen assistant role at a large Michigan employer such as a university dining operation, a casino food and beverage department, or a hospital food service contractor like Aramark or Sodexo, all of which run structured onboarding for entry-level candidates. Completing the culinary program at Schoolcraft College or Macomb Community College gives you a practical credential employers recognize, and earning your ServSafe Food Manager certificate before applying puts you ahead of candidates who need employer-sponsored training.
Where can I find and apply to chef jobs in Michigan?
You can find and apply to chef jobs in Michigan on Migrate Mate, which lists current Michigan openings updated regularly. Search the roles available, find the ones that match your experience and preferred location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
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