Executive Chef Jobs in Tennessee

Executive Chef jobs in Tennessee are consistently active, with strong demand concentrated in hotel and resort hospitality, private dining clubs, health system food service, and the state's expanding entertainment and convention sectors, at levels from sous chef stepping into their first executive role through seasoned culinary directors overseeing multi-outlet operations. Nashville, Memphis, and Chattanooga account for the majority of openings, anchored by employers such as Marriott International properties, HCA Healthcare's hospitality and food service divisions, and Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. The most in-demand specialties are contemporary Southern cuisine, large-banquet and event catering, and farm-to-table menu development. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles45
Top employerMorrison Healthcare
Top cityNashville, TN
Cities hiring14
Work type100% On-site
Top industryFood

Showing 5 of 45+ Executive Chef jobs

Executive Chef
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Added 3d ago
Executive Chef
StoryPoint
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Social Work & Counseling
1,001-5,000

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SNR. EXECUTIVE CHEF - Memphis, TN
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Added 3d ago
SNR. EXECUTIVE CHEF - Memphis, TN
Morrison Healthcare
Memphis, Tennessee
Business Analysis
Business Operations
Project Management
ServSafe Certification
10,000+

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Executive Chef 2
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Added 4d ago
Executive Chef 2
Sodexo
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Business Operations
Program Management
Project Management
$65k - $84k/yr
ServSafe Certification
10,000+

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Executive Chef
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Added 1w ago
Executive Chef
Morrison Healthcare
Jackson, Tennessee
Food Service
Hospitality Management
$85k - $95k/yr
10,000+

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Executive Chef
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Added 1w ago
Executive Chef
Dorchester Collection
Park Lane, Tennessee
Account Management
Customer Success
Partnerships & Business Development
1,001-5,000

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See All 45 Executive Chef Jobs in Tennessee

Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Executive Chef Jobs by City in Tennessee

Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Nashville
16 jobs
Memphis
6 jobs
Knoxville
4 jobs
Chattanooga
4 jobs
Franklin
3 jobs
Jackson
2 jobs
Clarksville
2 jobs
Johnson City
2 jobs
Park Lane
1 job

Executive Chef Job Market in Tennessee

A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Morrison Healthcare7 open roles
Sodexo5 open roles
Aramark3 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Food & Beverage
  • Technology & Software
  • Healthcare & Medical Services

What Tennessee Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in executive chef jobs across Tennessee.

  • Culinary degree or equivalent formal training from an accredited Tennessee or regional institution recognized by hiring employers
  • Minimum five years of progressive kitchen leadership experience including managing line staff and kitchen operations
  • Demonstrated ability to develop seasonal menus with a focus on Southern regional cuisine and local sourcing
  • Proven cost control and food-and-beverage budgeting experience within a high-volume Tennessee-style hospitality setting
  • Food handler manager certification such as ServSafe at the managerial level, required by most Tennessee employers
  • Experience coordinating large-scale banquet or event catering operations, particularly for conventions or hotel properties

Executive Chef Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a executive chef in Tennessee?

The most direct path is completing a culinary arts degree or diploma from an accredited program, such as those offered at Johnson University, Nashville State Community College, or the culinary programs within Tennessee's community college system, followed by progressive kitchen experience. Tennessee does not issue a state culinary license, but most employers require a current ServSafe Food Protection Manager certification, which is administered through the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and accepted statewide.

How much do executive chefs make in Tennessee?

Executive chefs in Tennessee earn a median of about $69,810 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $45,410 for the lowest 10% to over $98,860 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire executive chefs in Tennessee?

Employers hiring executive chefs in Tennessee right now include Morrison Healthcare, Sodexo, and Aramark, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Tennessee's hotel groups, convention facilities, and health system food service departments are among the most consistent sources of executive chef openings across the state.

Which Tennessee cities have the most executive chef jobs?

Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville account for the most executive chef openings in Tennessee. Nashville leads because of its dense concentration of full-service hotels, convention venues, and independent restaurant groups, while Memphis draws demand from its hospitality and tourism corridor and Chattanooga from its growing boutique hotel and event venue scene.

Are there remote executive chef jobs in Tennessee?

Yes, but they are rare. Executive chef work is inherently hands-on, requiring daily presence in a kitchen, and very few roles can be performed remotely. About 0% of executive chef openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those tend to be consulting, menu development, or culinary director roles with a corporate oversight function rather than active kitchen management.

How can I get hired as a executive chef in Tennessee with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is joining a large Tennessee hotel or resort property as a sous chef or senior line cook and progressing internally. Gaylord Opryland and full-service Marriott properties in Nashville regularly promote from within and run structured culinary training tracks. Building a portfolio of original menus, earning a ServSafe Food Protection Manager certification, and gaining banquet or high-volume event experience in any capacity will give candidates a clear edge when applying for their first executive chef appointment.

Where can I find and apply to executive chef jobs in Tennessee?

You can find and apply to executive chef jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current Tennessee openings from employers across the state. Search the listings, find roles that fit your experience and preferred location, and apply directly to the ones that match.

See All 45 Executive Chef Jobs in Tennessee

Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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