Head Chef Jobs in Tennessee
Head Chef jobs in Tennessee concentrate in the state's hospitality, tourism, and independent restaurant sectors, with consistent demand from Nashville's booming dining scene, Memphis's deep-rooted food culture, and Chattanooga's growing culinary community. Major employers with a lasting presence in the state include Marriott-branded properties, Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, and Cracker Barrel, which is headquartered in Lebanon. The most in-demand specialties are farm-to-table Southern cuisine, hotel banquet and event production, and upscale casual American dining. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Role Overview
Key Details
Position Type
Seasonal Contract (May - Sept)
Schedule
Full-Time, Exempt (minimum 6 days / 70 hours per week)
Location
On-site (Rural Summer Camp facilities across the US)
Perks Included
Competitive Pay, Bonus, Free RoomBoard, Travel Allowance
About Wolfoods
Wolfoods is elevating camp dining by replacing standard freezer fare with fresh, high-quality, scratch-cooked cuisine. We serve vibrant summer camp communities across the country while providing exceptional care for dietary restrictions, nutrition, and environmental sustainability.
Role Summary
We are seeking an experienced, high-energy Kitchen Manager for a hands-on leadership position. You will oversee all daily culinary, staff management, budgeting, and allergen safety at a top-tier summer camp.
This is an on-site, live-in position in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
Key Responsibilities
- OperationsLeadership: Lead, schedule, and train kitchen staff; foster a high-energy, positive environment.
- CulinaryQuality Excellence: Operational flow, portion control, menu specs, scratch cooking execution, and timely meal service.
- AllergenSafety Compliance: Strictly manage food allergy protocols (Kosher, Nut-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan, etc.) and maintain top Health Department sanitation standards.
- AdministrationBudget: Manage inventory, place food orders, control budgets, track daily reporting.
- Client Relations: Serve as the main liaison between kitchen operations, campers, camp leadership and Wolfoods corporate office.
Qualifications
- Experience: 4+ years in a commercial kitchen leadership role with scratch and institutional/batch cooking experience.
- Certifications: ServSafe Manager Certified (ServSafe Allergens required before start date; company-sponsored).
- Skills: Strong leadership, high computer literacy, budgeting capability, and sharp problem-solving abilities.
- Physical Requirements: Ability to stand for extended periods, work in hot/cold kitchen settings, and lift up to 50 lbs.
- Lifestyle: Ready to live on-site in a rustic setting, work a demanding minimum 6-day/70-hour week, and thrive under pressure.
What We Offer
- Competitive seasonal pay + performance bonus structure
- Full room and board provided for the duration of the contract
- Travel expense assistance
- Opportunity to lead a dynamic team in a unique, vibrant camp community
Wolfoods Food Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Kitchen Manager
Role Overview
Key Details
Position Type
Seasonal Contract (May - Sept)
Schedule
Full-Time, Exempt (minimum 6 days / 70 hours per week)
Location
On-site (Rural Summer Camp facilities across the US)
Perks Included
Competitive Pay, Bonus, Free RoomBoard, Travel Allowance
About Wolfoods
Wolfoods is elevating camp dining by replacing standard freezer fare with fresh, high-quality, scratch-cooked cuisine. We serve vibrant summer camp communities across the country while providing exceptional care for dietary restrictions, nutrition, and environmental sustainability.
Role Summary
We are seeking an experienced, high-energy Kitchen Manager for a hands-on leadership position. You will oversee all daily culinary, staff management, budgeting, and allergen safety at a top-tier summer camp.
This is an on-site, live-in position in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
Key Responsibilities
- OperationsLeadership: Lead, schedule, and train kitchen staff; foster a high-energy, positive environment.
- CulinaryQuality Excellence: Operational flow, portion control, menu specs, scratch cooking execution, and timely meal service.
- AllergenSafety Compliance: Strictly manage food allergy protocols (Kosher, Nut-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan, etc.) and maintain top Health Department sanitation standards.
- AdministrationBudget: Manage inventory, place food orders, control budgets, track daily reporting.
- Client Relations: Serve as the main liaison between kitchen operations, campers, camp leadership and Wolfoods corporate office.
Qualifications
- Experience: 4+ years in a commercial kitchen leadership role with scratch and institutional/batch cooking experience.
- Certifications: ServSafe Manager Certified (ServSafe Allergens required before start date; company-sponsored).
- Skills: Strong leadership, high computer literacy, budgeting capability, and sharp problem-solving abilities.
- Physical Requirements: Ability to stand for extended periods, work in hot/cold kitchen settings, and lift up to 50 lbs.
- Lifestyle: Ready to live on-site in a rustic setting, work a demanding minimum 6-day/70-hour week, and thrive under pressure.
What We Offer
- Competitive seasonal pay + performance bonus structure
- Full room and board provided for the duration of the contract
- Travel expense assistance
- Opportunity to lead a dynamic team in a unique, vibrant camp community
Wolfoods Food Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
See All 5 Head Chef Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Head Chef JobsHead Chef Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Head Chef Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in head chef jobs across Tennessee.
- Minimum five years of professional kitchen experience with at least two in a leadership role
- Demonstrated ability to develop seasonal menus and manage food cost percentages
- Proven experience supervising and training kitchen staff in a high-volume environment
- ServSafe Manager certification or equivalent food safety credential recognized in Tennessee
- Strong knowledge of sourcing local Tennessee ingredients and working with regional vendors
- Ability to maintain compliance with Tennessee Department of Health food safety regulations
Head Chef Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a head chef in Tennessee?
Tennessee does not require a state-issued chef's license, but head chefs must hold a valid food handler manager certification such as ServSafe, which is recognized statewide and required by most employers under Tennessee Department of Health rules. Most hiring employers expect a culinary arts degree or diploma from a program like those offered at Nashville State Community College or Johnson University, combined with progressive kitchen leadership experience.
Which companies hire head chefs in Tennessee?
Companies currently hiring head chefs in Tennessee include Wolfoods and Southern Grit, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Tennessee's concentration of large hotel groups, resort properties, and regional restaurant chains makes it one of the more active states for head chef recruitment in the South.
Which Tennessee cities have the most head chef jobs?
Knoxville, Memphis, and Kingsport are the Tennessee cities with the most head chef openings. Nashville drives the largest share of demand given its dense concentration of hotel properties, convention venues, and an independent restaurant industry that has grown rapidly over the past decade, while Memphis's established hospitality corridor and Chattanooga's expanding dining district account for most of the remaining volume.
Are there remote head chef jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, but they're rare. About 0% of head chef openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, which reflects how fundamentally hands-on the role is. The narrow exceptions tend to be consulting or menu development contracts where a chef can handle planning and vendor communication off-site without running a live kitchen.
How can I get hired as a head chef in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is starting as a sous chef or lead line cook at a mid-volume Tennessee restaurant or hotel property and building toward a head chef title from within. Large employers like Gaylord Opryland and regional hotel groups regularly promote from their own kitchens, and culinary graduates who complete externships at Tennessee properties often convert to full-time roles. Earning a ServSafe Manager certification before applying strengthens any entry-level application.
Where can I find and apply to head chef jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to head chef jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the listings, find the roles that match your experience and preferred location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 5 Head Chef Jobs in Tennessee
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