Executive Chef Jobs in Illinois
Executive Chef jobs in Illinois are among the most active in the Midwest, concentrated in fine dining, hotel and resort properties, corporate dining, and healthcare foodservice, with openings at every level from sous chef stepping into the role for the first time through seasoned culinary directors. Chicago drives the bulk of hiring, but Springfield and Rosemont also carry steady demand, and well-established employers such as Hyatt Hotels, Aramark, and Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises maintain ongoing executive chef needs across the state. The most in-demand specialties right now are upscale American cuisine, farm-to-table menu development, and large-scale institutional foodservice management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Position Title: Executive Sous Chef - Evanston, IL
Salary: $70,000 - $75,000
Other Forms of Compensation: Merit Increases
Think Fresh! Lead with Excellence!
An industry leading hospitality food service group, Unidine is driven by its exceptional people sharing their passion, creativity and talent to craft memorable guest experiences. Unidine’s commitment to scratch cooking, innovative programs, venue concepts and services continues to push boundaries and modernize dining programs for hundreds of clients around the nation. Our restaurants, bars, cafeterias and bistros offer a place for guests to enjoy something extraordinary. That is why we believe that using the freshest ingredients makes for the best dishes, staying ahead of industry trends pushes us to be innovative, and giving team members the right tools and resources helps them to perform their best. Come and join our award-winning team!
Job Summary
This individual will be responsible for supporting the Executive Chef in overseeing kitchen operations while maintaining a safe and sanitary work environment for the staff. You will prepare or direct the preparation of meals in accordance with corporate programs and guidelines.
Key Responsibilities:
- Ensures that high quality food items are creatively prepared and presented in a cost effective manner
- Assists in all phases of planning, ordering, inventory, and food preparation
- Supports the management of cost controls and control expenditures for the account
- Rolls out new culinary programs in conjunction with the marketing and culinary teams
- Supervises co-workers to ensure the cleanliness, organization, and overall sanitation of the kitchen
- Motivates, trains, develops, and directs the back of house employees preparing and cooking foods to accomplish the objectives of the operation Performs other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
- B.S. Degree in Culinary Arts, Food Services Technology/Management/or related field; or A.O.S. Degree in Culinary Arts with additional specialized training
- 3-5 years of relevant culinary experience
- Mastery of a wide variety of kitchen positions and stations
- Ability to think on their feet, as well as create, produce, and serve on the fly
- Knowledge of food cost and how it pertains to a kitchen, product and quality identification
- Must be experienced with computers; to include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Power Point), Outlook, E-mail and the Internet
- Excellent interpersonal, customer service, and oral/written communication skills
Apply to Unidine today!
Unidine is a member of Compass Group USA
Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story
Associates at Unidine are offered many fantastic benefits.
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Life Insurance/ AD
- Disability Insurance
- Retirement Plan
- Flexible Time Off
- Paid Parental Leave
- Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
- Personal Leave
- Associate Shopping Program
- Health and Wellness Programs
- Discount Marketplace
- Identity Theft Protection
- Pet Insurance
- Commuter Benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.
https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_Unidine.pdf
Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.
Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act. We encourage applicants with a criminal history (and driving history) to apply.
Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Unidine maintains a drug-free workplace.
Req ID: 1586669
Unidine
Nicholas Henderson
[[req_classification]]
Position Title: Executive Sous Chef - Evanston, IL
Salary: $70,000 - $75,000
Other Forms of Compensation: Merit Increases
Think Fresh! Lead with Excellence!
An industry leading hospitality food service group, Unidine is driven by its exceptional people sharing their passion, creativity and talent to craft memorable guest experiences. Unidine’s commitment to scratch cooking, innovative programs, venue concepts and services continues to push boundaries and modernize dining programs for hundreds of clients around the nation. Our restaurants, bars, cafeterias and bistros offer a place for guests to enjoy something extraordinary. That is why we believe that using the freshest ingredients makes for the best dishes, staying ahead of industry trends pushes us to be innovative, and giving team members the right tools and resources helps them to perform their best. Come and join our award-winning team!
Job Summary
This individual will be responsible for supporting the Executive Chef in overseeing kitchen operations while maintaining a safe and sanitary work environment for the staff. You will prepare or direct the preparation of meals in accordance with corporate programs and guidelines.
Key Responsibilities:
- Ensures that high quality food items are creatively prepared and presented in a cost effective manner
- Assists in all phases of planning, ordering, inventory, and food preparation
- Supports the management of cost controls and control expenditures for the account
- Rolls out new culinary programs in conjunction with the marketing and culinary teams
- Supervises co-workers to ensure the cleanliness, organization, and overall sanitation of the kitchen
- Motivates, trains, develops, and directs the back of house employees preparing and cooking foods to accomplish the objectives of the operation Performs other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
- B.S. Degree in Culinary Arts, Food Services Technology/Management/or related field; or A.O.S. Degree in Culinary Arts with additional specialized training
- 3-5 years of relevant culinary experience
- Mastery of a wide variety of kitchen positions and stations
- Ability to think on their feet, as well as create, produce, and serve on the fly
- Knowledge of food cost and how it pertains to a kitchen, product and quality identification
- Must be experienced with computers; to include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Power Point), Outlook, E-mail and the Internet
- Excellent interpersonal, customer service, and oral/written communication skills
Apply to Unidine today!
Unidine is a member of Compass Group USA
Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story
Associates at Unidine are offered many fantastic benefits.
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Life Insurance/ AD
- Disability Insurance
- Retirement Plan
- Flexible Time Off
- Paid Parental Leave
- Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
- Personal Leave
- Associate Shopping Program
- Health and Wellness Programs
- Discount Marketplace
- Identity Theft Protection
- Pet Insurance
- Commuter Benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.
https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_Unidine.pdf
Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.
Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act. We encourage applicants with a criminal history (and driving history) to apply.
Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Unidine maintains a drug-free workplace.
Req ID: 1586669
Unidine
Nicholas Henderson
[[req_classification]]
See All 54 Executive Chef Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Executive Chef JobsExecutive Chef Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Executive Chef Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in executive chef jobs across Illinois.
- Associate or bachelor's degree in culinary arts from an accredited Illinois institution preferred
- Minimum of five to eight years progressive kitchen leadership including prior chef de cuisine or executive sous chef experience
- ServSafe Manager certification required and current Illinois Food Handler compliance expected
- Proven ability to develop seasonal menus, manage food costs, and control labor budgets
- Experience leading diverse kitchen brigades across high-volume or multi-outlet operations
- Strong vendor relationship management and knowledge of local Illinois and Midwest sourcing networks
Executive Chef Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a executive chef in Illinois?
The most direct path in Illinois is completing a culinary arts program at an accredited school such as Kendall College in Chicago or the Illinois Institute of Art, then working up through line cook, sous chef, and chef de cuisine roles. Illinois does not require a state-issued culinary license to hold the title, but employers universally expect current ServSafe Manager certification and compliance with Illinois Department of Public Health food safety standards before promotion to executive chef.
How much do executive chefs make in Illinois?
Executive chefs in Illinois earn a median of about $58,830 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $40,330 for the lowest 10% to over $88,420 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire executive chefs in Illinois?
Employers hiring executive chefs in Illinois right now include Lettuce Entertain You, PeopleAnswers, and Sodexo, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's dense concentration of hotel groups, restaurant groups, and managed dining operators means turnover in executive chef seats is steady and openings surface throughout the year, not just seasonally.
Which Illinois cities have the most executive chef jobs?
Chicago, Normal, and Rockford have the most executive chef openings in Illinois right now. Chicago dominates because it hosts the state's largest concentration of luxury hotels, independent fine-dining restaurants, and corporate headquarters with executive dining programs, while secondary markets like Springfield and Rosemont are driven by convention center properties, casino resorts, and managed foodservice contracts with state institutions and O'Hare-area hospitality venues.
Are there remote executive chef jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. About 0% of executive chef openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, which reflects the hands-on nature of kitchen leadership. The portions of the role most likely to be handled off-site are menu planning, vendor negotiations, recipe development, and food cost analysis, but daily team supervision and service execution require an on-site presence in virtually every Illinois employer context.
How can I get hired as a executive chef in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is landing a sous chef or chef de cuisine role at a mid-volume Illinois property and building a record of menu ownership and team leadership before pursuing executive chef titles. Large managed-dining operators such as Aramark and Compass Group run internal advancement programs in Illinois that promote from within. Building a portfolio of original menus and obtaining ServSafe Manager certification signals readiness, and culinary externships through Kendall College or Illinois Institute of Art often convert to full-time kitchen leadership offers.
Where can I find and apply to executive chef jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to executive chef jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated on an ongoing basis. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your experience and preferred market, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 54 Executive Chef Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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