H-1B Visa Executive Chef Jobs
Executive Chef roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as specialty occupations requiring a culinary degree or equivalent. Employers file a Labor Condition Application with DOL before petitioning USCIS, and the annual cap and lottery apply unless you're at a cap-exempt institution. Competition is real, but hotel groups, restaurant chains, and hospitality companies sponsor regularly.
Find H-1B Visa Executive Chef JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 207+ Executive Chef jobs
See all 207+ Executive Chef Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Executive Chef roles.
Get Access To All JobsABOUT AMERICAN GOLF
American Golf is a trusted leader in golf hospitality, known for elevating the game and the communities around it. We bring deep expertise in golf operations and club culture, paired with a genuine commitment to creating welcoming, memorable experiences for every guest and member. Our teams take pride in course care, exceptional service, and thoughtful environments that invite people to play, connect, and feel at home. We believe golf is more than a sport, it’s a place where relationships grow, traditions thrive, and everyone is part of the community.
Job Purpose
The Executive Chef is responsible for the overall leadership and performance of kitchen operations, ensuring high-quality food execution, efficient processes, and strong team development. This role drives culinary standards, manages cost controls, and partners with front-of-house leadership to deliver a seamless guest experience.
Responsibilities
- Lead all kitchen operations, ensuring consistency, quality, and timely execution of all menu items
- Develop and maintain menus aligned with brand standards, seasonality, and cost targets
- Manage food, labor, and operating costs to meet financial goals
- Hire, train, and develop kitchen staff, building a strong and accountable team
- Oversee inventory, ordering, and vendor relationships to ensure product quality and availability
- Enforce all safety, sanitation, and health regulations in compliance with local and federal standards
- Collaborate with front-of-house leadership to ensure smooth service and communication
- Monitor guest feedback and adjust operations to improve performance and satisfaction
- Stay current on culinary trends and introduce new ideas that enhance the guest experience
- Perform additional duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Proven experience as an Executive Chef or senior kitchen leader in a high-volume environment
- Strong knowledge of culinary techniques, food safety, and kitchen operations
- Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and retain high-performing teams
- Experience managing budgets, food costs, and labor controls
- Effective communication and organizational skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
- Food Handler Certification required
- Culinary school degree/diploma preferred
Working Conditions
- Schedule varies based on business needs, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
- Requires extended periods of standing, walking, and active movement in a kitchen environment
- Frequent use of hands and repetitive motions, including lifting, bending, and reaching
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
- Exposure to heat, noise, and kitchen equipment typical of a food service environment
- Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions
American Golf Corporation is committed to equal employment opportunities for all. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis, (protected class), including but not limited to race, color, religion, genetic information, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, medical conditions, age, disability, citizenship status, uniform service member status, or any other protected class under federal, state, and/or local law.
ABOUT AMERICAN GOLF
American Golf is a trusted leader in golf hospitality, known for elevating the game and the communities around it. We bring deep expertise in golf operations and club culture, paired with a genuine commitment to creating welcoming, memorable experiences for every guest and member. Our teams take pride in course care, exceptional service, and thoughtful environments that invite people to play, connect, and feel at home. We believe golf is more than a sport, it’s a place where relationships grow, traditions thrive, and everyone is part of the community.
Job Purpose
The Executive Chef is responsible for the overall leadership and performance of kitchen operations, ensuring high-quality food execution, efficient processes, and strong team development. This role drives culinary standards, manages cost controls, and partners with front-of-house leadership to deliver a seamless guest experience.
Responsibilities
- Lead all kitchen operations, ensuring consistency, quality, and timely execution of all menu items
- Develop and maintain menus aligned with brand standards, seasonality, and cost targets
- Manage food, labor, and operating costs to meet financial goals
- Hire, train, and develop kitchen staff, building a strong and accountable team
- Oversee inventory, ordering, and vendor relationships to ensure product quality and availability
- Enforce all safety, sanitation, and health regulations in compliance with local and federal standards
- Collaborate with front-of-house leadership to ensure smooth service and communication
- Monitor guest feedback and adjust operations to improve performance and satisfaction
- Stay current on culinary trends and introduce new ideas that enhance the guest experience
- Perform additional duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Proven experience as an Executive Chef or senior kitchen leader in a high-volume environment
- Strong knowledge of culinary techniques, food safety, and kitchen operations
- Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and retain high-performing teams
- Experience managing budgets, food costs, and labor controls
- Effective communication and organizational skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
- Food Handler Certification required
- Culinary school degree/diploma preferred
Working Conditions
- Schedule varies based on business needs, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
- Requires extended periods of standing, walking, and active movement in a kitchen environment
- Frequent use of hands and repetitive motions, including lifting, bending, and reaching
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
- Exposure to heat, noise, and kitchen equipment typical of a food service environment
- Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions
American Golf Corporation is committed to equal employment opportunities for all. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis, (protected class), including but not limited to race, color, religion, genetic information, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, medical conditions, age, disability, citizenship status, uniform service member status, or any other protected class under federal, state, and/or local law.
See all 207+ H-1B Visa Executive Chef Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Executive Chef Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as an Executive Chef
Verify your degree meets specialty occupation standards
USCIS evaluates whether your culinary or hospitality degree directly relates to the Executive Chef role. A three-year culinary diploma from abroad may need a credential evaluation to confirm U.S. bachelor's-level equivalency before your employer files.
Search LCA filings for hospitality sponsors
Use OFLC Wage Search to pull Labor Condition Applications filed under SOC code 11-9051. This shows which hotel groups, casino operators, and restaurant companies have actively sponsored Executive Chefs, giving you a verified list of realistic targets.
Time your applications around the cap lottery
H-1B cap petitions are filed in April for an October 1 start. Work backward: secure your offer by February, so your employer has time to file the LCA with DOL and submit the I-129 petition during the registration window.
Target cap-exempt employers for faster timelines
Hospitals, university dining programs, and nonprofit culinary schools are often cap-exempt, meaning your employer can file year-round without lottery exposure. These roles exist but aren't always advertised as visa-sponsoring, so ask directly during interviews.
Use Migrate Mate to find verified sponsoring employers
Filter Executive Chef roles on Migrate Mate by employers with confirmed H-1B filing history. This cuts out the guesswork of cold-applying to kitchens that have never navigated the sponsorship process and won't start for you.
Clarify prevailing wage tier before accepting an offer
Your employer must certify they'll pay at least the DOL prevailing wage for your location and experience level. Ask which wage level they're filing under before signing, since Level I filings for senior chefs can draw USCIS scrutiny on specialty occupation grounds.
H-1B Visa Executive Chef: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Executive Chef role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
USCIS evaluates this case by case. The role qualifies when the employer can demonstrate it normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in culinary arts, hospitality management, or a closely related field. Generic chef postings that list a degree as preferred rather than required can face Requests for Evidence, so the job description wording matters significantly.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for Executive Chef positions?
Hotel chains, casino resorts, cruise lines, and large restaurant groups with in-house HR and legal teams sponsor most frequently. Smaller independent restaurants rarely have the infrastructure to manage the process. You can browse employers with verified H-1B filing history for culinary roles directly on Migrate Mate to narrow your search.
Can a foreign culinary diploma substitute for a U.S. bachelor's degree on an H-1B petition?
Yes, with a credential evaluation. A three-year culinary degree from an accredited foreign institution can be evaluated as equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree. USCIS also accepts a combination of education and progressive work experience, typically three years of relevant experience per year of missing education, though supporting evidence must be thorough.
What happens to my H-1B status if the restaurant or hotel closes or changes ownership?
Your H-1B is tied to the petitioning employer, not the physical location. If the business closes, your status ends and the 60-day grace period begins. In an acquisition, the new employer may be able to assume your petition without a new filing if the role and terms remain substantially the same, but this should be confirmed with an immigration attorney promptly.
Does an Executive Chef role require a PERM labor certification before H-1B sponsorship?
No. PERM labor certification is part of the green card process, not the H-1B. Your employer files a Labor Condition Application with DOL for the H-1B, which certifies prevailing wage compliance and takes about seven business days. PERM only becomes relevant if your employer later sponsors you for permanent residence through an employment-based immigrant visa.