Executive Chef Jobs in Michigan
Executive Chef jobs in Michigan are active across the state's hospitality, casino, and corporate dining sectors, with openings from sous chef promotions into the executive role through senior leadership positions overseeing multi-outlet operations. Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Ann Arbor are the primary hiring metros, anchored by large employers such as MGM Grand Detroit, Marriott International, and Aramark, which maintain consistent executive chef demand across hotel, casino, and institutional venues. The most sought-after specialties in Michigan are fine dining concept leadership, casino food and beverage management, and large-scale catering and banquet direction. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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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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Find Executive Chef JobsExecutive Chef Jobs by City in Michigan
Where Michigan roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Executive Chef Job Market in Michigan
A snapshot from current Michigan openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Food & Beverage
What Michigan Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in executive chef jobs across Michigan.
- Culinary degree from an accredited program or equivalent professional culinary training recognized in Michigan
- Proven leadership managing kitchen staff and food service operations in a full-service Michigan venue
- Strong knowledge of Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development food safety regulations
- ServSafe Manager certification or equivalent food protection manager credential accepted by Michigan
- Experience developing menus that reflect Great Lakes regional ingredients and Midwest dining preferences
- Demonstrated ability to manage food cost, labor budgets, and vendor relationships for Michigan operations
Executive Chef Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a executive chef in Michigan?
Becoming an executive chef in Michigan typically starts with a culinary arts degree or diploma from an accredited institution, followed by progressive kitchen experience from line cook through sous chef. Michigan does not require a state-issued chef's license, but employers consistently expect a ServSafe Manager certification, which is recognized statewide. Building experience in Michigan's hotel, casino, or corporate dining sectors and developing strong menu and cost-control skills accelerates advancement into an executive chef role.
How much do executive chefs make in Michigan?
Executive chefs in Michigan earn a median of about $60,070 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $42,170 for the lowest 10% to over $82,000 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire executive chefs in Michigan?
Employers hiring executive chefs in Michigan right now include American Cruise Lines, Independence Village, and TouchPoint, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Michigan's casino resorts, full-service hotel brands, and large contract dining providers are among the most consistent sources of executive chef openings across the state.
Which Michigan cities have the most executive chef jobs?
Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Birmingham are the Michigan cities with the most executive chef openings. Detroit drives the largest share of demand through its casino resorts, hotel corridor, and growing restaurant scene, while Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor attract openings through their expanding hospitality industries, university-adjacent dining programs, and corporate headquarters that operate full-service employee dining and event catering.
Are there remote executive chef jobs in Michigan?
Yes, but they're rare. Executive chef work is fundamentally hands-on, requiring daily kitchen oversight, staff direction, and food quality control that cannot be performed remotely. About 0% of executive chef openings tied to Michigan are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those postings typically involve consulting, menu development, or multi-unit concept oversight roles where some planning work can be done off-site.
How can I get hired as a executive chef in Michigan with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a sous chef or senior line cook position at a Michigan hotel, casino resort, or large contract dining operation and building toward the executive role from within. Employers like MGM Grand Detroit and Aramark run internal advancement programs and regularly promote from their kitchen teams. Earning a ServSafe Manager certification, completing a culinary apprenticeship through the American Culinary Federation's Michigan chapters, and gaining banquet or multi-outlet experience significantly strengthens candidacy for a first executive chef appointment.
Where can I find and apply to executive chef jobs in Michigan?
You can find and apply to executive chef jobs in Michigan on Migrate Mate, which lists current Michigan openings from employers hiring now. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your experience and preferred location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 52 Executive Chef Jobs in Michigan
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