Executive Chef Jobs in Virginia

Executive Chef jobs in Virginia are actively in demand, with openings concentrated in upscale hotels, resort properties, private clubs, and the region's robust federal hospitality and contract dining sector, covering everything from sous chef transitions into first executive roles to seasoned culinary directors overseeing multi-outlet operations. The heaviest hiring is in Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Virginia Beach, where employers like Marriott International, Hilton, and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation maintain a lasting presence and recruit consistently. The most sought-after specialties in Virginia are farm-to-table cuisine, banquet and event catering, and high-volume club dining. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles55
Top employerSodexo
Top cityRichmond, VA
Cities hiring31
Work type100% On-site
Top industryFood

Showing 5 of 55+ Executive Chef jobs

Hermitage Country Club
Executive Sous Chef
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Hermitage Country Club
New 21h ago
Executive Sous Chef
Hermitage Country Club
Manakin Sabot, Virginia
Manufacturing Operations
Project Management
Quality Control
High school diploma or GED
201-500

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Sodexo
Executive Chef 3
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Sodexo
Added 1d ago
Executive Chef 3
Sodexo
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Business Development
Program Management
Project Management
$89k - $116k/yr
Experience equivalent to degree accepted
10,000+

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Delta Hotels
Executive Chef
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Delta Hotels
Added 1d ago
Executive Chef
Delta Hotels
Richmond, Virginia
Business Strategy
Corporate Development & M&A
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
$70k - $80k/yr
5,001-10,000

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Sodexo
Executive Chef 2
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Sodexo
Added 2d ago
Executive Chef 2
Sodexo
Lake Ridge, Virginia
Business Operations
Program Management
Project Management
$71k - $96k/yr
Experience equivalent to degree accepted
10,000+

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Sodexo
Executive Chef 2
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Sodexo
Added 2d ago
Executive Chef 2
Sodexo
Buena Vista, Virginia
Project Management
Solutions Engineering & Architecture
Technical Program Management
$65k - $84k/yr
Experience equivalent to degree accepted
10,000+

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See All 55 Executive Chef Jobs in Virginia

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

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Executive Chef Jobs by City in Virginia

Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Richmond
8 jobs
Arlington
6 jobs
Norfolk
5 jobs
Reston
3 jobs
Lynchburg
3 jobs
McLean
2 jobs
Alexandria
2 jobs
Middleburg
2 jobs
Fredericksburg
2 jobs

Executive Chef Job Market in Virginia

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

Who's Hiring

Sodexo
Sodexo6 open roles
Morrison Healthcare
Morrison Healthcare5 open roles
Capital Ale house
Capital Ale house4 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Food & Beverage

What Virginia Employers Look For

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

  • Culinary degree or equivalent training from an accredited program recognized in Virginia
  • Proven experience leading kitchen teams in a full-service or high-volume Virginia establishment
  • Strong knowledge of food safety regulations and Virginia Department of Health standards
  • Demonstrated ability to develop menus reflecting Mid-Atlantic and regional Virginia ingredients
  • Experience managing food and labor cost controls within Virginia hospitality or dining operations
  • Active ServSafe Manager certification or equivalent credential accepted by Virginia health authorities

Executive Chef Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a executive chef in Virginia?

Most executive chefs in Virginia come up through culinary training at an accredited program, such as those offered at Johnson and Wales University's Charlotte campus or community colleges with culinary arts tracks, followed by progressive kitchen experience. Virginia does not issue a state culinary license for chefs, but you will need a current ServSafe Manager certification to satisfy Virginia Department of Health food safety requirements. Employers typically require several years of progressively senior kitchen leadership before hiring at the executive level.

How much do executive chefs make in Virginia?

Executive chefs in Virginia earn a median of about $63,270 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $43,010 for the lowest 10% to over $90,470 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire executive chefs in Virginia?

Employers hiring executive chefs in Virginia right now include Sodexo, Morrison Healthcare, and Capital Ale house, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Virginia's mix of luxury hotels, private member clubs, and large-scale contract dining operators means demand is spread across both the Northern Virginia corridor and coastal resort markets.

Which Virginia cities have the most executive chef jobs?

Richmond, Arlington, and Norfolk are the Virginia cities with the most executive chef openings. Northern Virginia's concentration of luxury hotels and corporate dining accounts for the largest share, while Richmond's growing independent restaurant scene and private club sector drives strong demand there, and Virginia Beach's resort and hospitality industry keeps it consistently active for culinary leadership roles.

Are there remote executive chef jobs in Virginia?

Yes, but they're rare. About 0% of executive chef openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, which reflects the hands-on nature of the role. The portions of the work most suited to remote arrangements are menu development consulting, recipe writing, and culinary training program design rather than day-to-day kitchen operations.

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

The most realistic entry path is starting as a line cook or sous chef at a mid-scale Virginia hotel or club operation and building toward a first executive role internally. Large Virginia hospitality employers like Marriott and Hilton properties regularly promote from within, and Colonial Williamsburg runs structured culinary development programs. Earning a ServSafe Manager certification early and building a portfolio of original menus demonstrating knowledge of Virginia regional ingredients significantly strengthens your candidacy for that first executive appointment.

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

You can find and apply to executive chef jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings from employers actively hiring. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.

See All 55 Executive Chef Jobs in Virginia

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

Find Executive Chef Jobs