Description

Summary

At Thompson Dallas, we are more than a hotel. We are a cultural hub for travelers and locals alike, blending modern luxury with the energy, creativity, and character of downtown Dallas. Our food and beverage experiences are designed to feel vibrant, social, design-forward, and deeply connected to the city around us.

Home to a dynamic collection of restaurants and bars, Thompson Dallas offers layered culinary experiences that move seamlessly from morning coffee and rooftop cocktails to destination dining and late-night energy. The hotel features Little Daisy, a Franco-American bistro; Catbird, a rooftop restaurant and lounge; poolside dining overlooking the downtown skyline; and in-room dining designed around the rhythm of each guest's stay. In addition to our restaurant and bar experiences, Thompson Dallas hosts a wide range of banquets, private events, weddings, and social gatherings, all supported by thoughtful, chef-driven culinary offerings.

We are seeking an Executive Chef to lead the culinary vision across our food and beverage experiences. As a key member of the Executive Committee, this role is responsible for shaping inspired dining concepts, cultivating an exceptional kitchen culture, and delivering memorable guest experiences that reflect the spirit of the Thompson brand.

This is a highly visible leadership role for a chef who thrives in a lifestyle hospitality environment and brings equal passion to mentorship, collaboration, creativity, and execution.

The Role

Reporting to the General Manager, the Executive Chef will oversee all culinary operations for the hotel, including banquet and event culinary programming, while developing a culture rooted in creativity, accountability, and hospitality. This leader will collaborate closely with Food & Beverage, Events, Sales & Marketing, and hotel leadership to create destination-worthy dining experiences that resonate with guests and the local community alike.

The ideal candidate is both visionary and hands-on, someone who can inspire teams, elevate concepts, drive financial performance, and create a kitchen environment where people genuinely want to work and grow.

Responsibilities

• Lead the culinary direction and execution for all hotel-managed food and beverage outlets, including restaurants, bars, banquets, in-room dining, pool operations, private events, and special programming
• Oversee all banquet and event culinary operations, including weddings, corporate events, private dinners, and hotel activations
• Develop seasonal, market-driven menus that reflect the Thompson brand while embracing local influence and culinary trends
• Partner with the Sales & Marketing division to create customized culinary experiences for group and social business
• Foster a collaborative, positive, and high-performing kitchen culture focused on mentorship, growth, and accountability
• Partner with restaurant leadership and hotel teams to create compelling guest experiences, activations, and programming
• Maintain exceptional standards for food quality, consistency, presentation, cleanliness, and service execution
• Oversee labor management, food cost controls, purchasing, inventory, and overall financial performance of the culinary division
• Build and maintain relationships with local farmers, purveyors, artisans, and vendors
• Recruit, develop, and retain culinary talent through training, coaching, and leadership development
• Ensure compliance with Hyatt standards, food safety regulations, sanitation practices, and operational procedures
• Stay connected to evolving culinary, hospitality, and lifestyle trends to continuously evolve the guest experience
• Support a culture of creativity, inclusivity, experimentation, and care throughout the culinary operation
• Oversee staff cafeteria operations, ensuring consistent quality, variety, cleanliness, and an engaging dining experience for hotel colleagues

Benefits & Perks

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with company match after 1 year of service
• Paid Time Off and Paid Family Bonding Time
• Tuition Reimbursement and career development opportunities
• Complimentary and discounted Hyatt hotel stays worldwide
• Free onsite parking
• Participation in an incentive compensation plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Discounts at various retailers and wellness partners

Qualifications

• 6+ years of progressive culinary leadership experience within luxury or lifestyle hotels, restaurants, or hospitality-driven concepts
• Previous Executive Chef or senior culinary leadership experience preferred
• Experience leading multiple outlets, banquet operations, and high-volume environments
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing labor, food cost, purchasing, and inventory controls
• Proven ability to lead, inspire, and develop diverse culinary teams
• Passion for hospitality, storytelling through food, and creating memorable guest experiences
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Experience with hotel openings or lifestyle hospitality brands is a plus
• Culinary degree or formal culinary training preferred
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative, entrepreneurial, and creatively driven environment
• Current Food Handler and Food Manager Certification in accordance with Texas state regulations required, or ability to obtain upon hire

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as business demands require
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the shift
• Ability to lift, push, pull, and carry up to 50 pounds on a regular basis
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced kitchen environment with exposure to heat, steam, and varying temperatures
• Ability to bend, reach, climb, and move throughout multiple kitchen and event spaces within the hotel
• Must uphold all food safety, sanitation, and health compliance standards