Culinary 

EXECUTIVE CHEF - KEEFER HOUSE HOTEL- DOWNTOWN HILLSDALE, MI

$85,000 - $100,000

Soon to open Red Room Restaurant

Exclusive Search By Harper Associates

Looking for Executive Chef with roots to Michigan!

Hillsdale, MI offers family-friendly activities such as boating and fishing on Lake Baw Beese, enjoying Sandy Beach, and biking the Baw Beese Trail. The area is known for its historic downtown and provides numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation, making it a charming and accessible location for families looking for a combination of community life and natural amenities. The city is also home to Hillsdale College, which features public lectures and cultural events, and the historic Hillsdale County Fairgrounds. Hillsdale is situated in southern Michigan, approximately 90 miles west of Detroit.

Job Summary:

The Chef & B for The Red Room at The Keefer House Hotel will play a pivotal role in ensuring the restaurant's successful pre-opening and ongoing operations. This includes overseeing kitchen operations, maintaining exceptional food quality and presentation, managing the restaurant’s front of house staff and delivering a memorable dining experience. From hiring and training staff to menu development, cost management, and equipment procurement, this role requires a creative and organized leader to set the standard for excellence.

Restaurant Overview:

This is a new restaurant located within a boutique hotel. The primary dining room has 45 seats with an overflow flex space for private dinning or additional table service for approximately another 20 – 30 seats. The restaurant has a lobby bar adjacent to the main dining room with another 12 seats. The overall approach will be a high-touch feel.

Pre-Opening Duties:

Ongoing Duties & Responsibilities:

• Oversee daily kitchen operations, ensuring high standards in food preparation, cooking, plating, and service.
• Lead and inspire the front of house and culinary team, fostering a collaborative and professional work environment.
• Optimize workflow and kitchen efficiency, implementing systems for inventory, ordering, and cost control.
• Monitor food quality, presentation, and freshness, addressing any inconsistencies promptly.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, sanitation, and health regulations to maintain a safe, clean work environment.
• Collaborate with front-of-house management to deliver a seamless dining experience and address guest feedback.
• Keep up with industry trends to enhance the culinary program and maintain the restaurant’s competitive edge.
• Plan and execute catering and banquet events for the hotel with precision and creativity.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience as an Executive Chef or Sous Chef in an upscale or high-volume restaurant environment.
• Expertise in menu creation, costing, and seasonal menu development.
• Highly skilled in front of house restaurant management.
• Culinary degree or equivalent professional training preferred.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills with a focus on fostering an inclusive and supportive culture.
• Advanced understanding of cooking techniques, food preparation, and kitchen operations.
• Knowledge of food safety standards, inventory control, and cost management strategies.
• Exceptional organizational and multitasking abilities to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• A passion for culinary innovation, high-quality food, and exceptional service.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to liaise between the kitchen team, management, and front-of-house staff.

Why Join Us?

At Red Room (located within the soon-to-open Keefer Hotel), you’ll have the unique opportunity to shape a new dining experience within a historic hotel. This is a hands-on leadership role where your creativity, expertise, and vision will leave a lasting impression on guests and the local culinary scene.

Excellent benefit package, and work/life balance.

Send resume in a Word format attachment to: ben@harperjobs.com

SOUS CHEF FOR PRIVATE FAMILY - BIRMINGHAM, MI

Monday to Friday 8:00 to 4:00pm ( Flexible to work OT when needed)

Will work together with the Private Family Executive Chef

We are seeking a dedicated and talented Sous Chef to join the household team in a private residence. Ideal candidate will work closely with the Executive Chef cooking and managing food and beverages for all properties. This is a unique opportunity to work in an intimate, fast paced environment where attention to detail and a passion for food is highly valued. Position will be primarily Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:00pm. Due to the nature of the position, flexible availability on weekends, nights and holidays is required. Paid Overtime.

Responsibilities:

• Culinary: Assist Executive Chef with meal planning, grocery shopping and preparations of all meals. Cook meals according to the chef’s instructions, maintaining high standards of taste and presentation. Source and order high-quality ingredients, keeping track of inventory and ensure freshness.
• Cleanliness and Organization: Always prioritize kitchen hygiene and food safety. Maintain a clean and organized kitchen environment, adhering to health and safety regulations.
• Communication: Maintain clear and open lines of communication with the Executive Chef and other team members.
• Inventory management: Assist with managing inventory of food and beverages throughout all properties.
• Adaptability: Ability to adapt to new techniques, recipes, client preferences and requests.
• Passion for Culinary Arts: Stay passionate about cooking and continuously seek ways to improve your skills and knowledge.

Qualifications:

• Culinary: Applicant should have a basic understanding of various cuisines, ingredients, and cooking techniques. Applicant should have basic butchery, baking and pasta making skills.
• Flexibility: Willingness to work flexible hours, including weekends, nights and holidays.
• Education: Culinary Degree or ACF apprenticeship, Foodie who enjoys hands-on

Send resume in a Word format attachment to ben@harperjobs.com

PRIVATE CHEF & HOSPITALITY / HOUSEKEEPING SPECIALIST - BIRMINGHAM, MI

$85,000-$100,000+ and exceptional benefits!

Flexible 2026 start date

A rare and exciting opportunity is available for an experienced Hospitality Service Professional to join an upscale family office environment with service standards similar to a private estate or luxury yacht.

Position Highlights:

Private Chef for Principal: Prepare and serve meals according to schedule (only in their private office setting).

Catering & Event Specialist: Execute elevated in-office dining and small events.

Office Suite Executive Housekeeper: Maintain a polished, discreet, five-star environment in a luxury office with extensive art and fine objects.

Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–3:30 PM
Ideal Candidate: Background supporting UHNW principals, impeccable professionalism, and mastery of invisible service.
Benefits: Full family medical coverage provided and other excellent benefits.

Requires cooking and housekeeping experience in a luxury residence or yacht.
If you are poised, service-driven, and seeking a truly unique, boutique hospitality role, we’d love to hear from you.

We are seeking local candidates or those targeting relocation to Michigan.

Send resume in a Word format attachment to ben@harperjobs.com

SOUS CHEF (BED AND BREAKFAST - FORMER ESTATE) - GALENA, IL

Edge by Goldmoor Inn - #1 Fine Dining Award Winner

Harper Associates has been exclusively retained for the search.

This quaint Inn was once a privately owned estate perched on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. Three decades ago, it was transformed into an elegant country inn that offers gourmet dining, luxurious accommodations for overnight guests, and beautifully maintained gardens and grounds. It is a charming bed and breakfast that provides the perfect location for a romantic getaway or destination wedding.

Edge By Goldmoor Inn

With a reputation for outstanding gourmet food and impeccable service, the Inn has a small, fine dining restaurant (~30 seats) and a catering facility which can accommodate up to 150 for intimate weddings and other events. The property offers a Chef’s Table and Chef’s cooking class. The Chefs are provided with a private garden on the estate grounds. This is an exceptional opportunity for a hands-on working Sous Chef who would welcome a unique opportunity to run a creative, scratch kitchen in an exceptionally unique setting. The Chefs must enjoy media exposure and guest interaction.

Culinary degree required. Excellent salary & bonus package. All referrals confidential. Housing available for 90 days. $50,000 - $55,000

Send resume in a Word format attachment to: ben@harperjobs.com

BANQUET CHEF (OFF PREMISE CATERING) - METRO DETROIT, MI

Executive Banquet Chef role with a high volume, Off Premise Catering and Restaurant Group. Our client is an approved caterer at many of the Detroit area’s landmark venues and entertainment locations. The ideal candidate enjoys large scale catering and is a proven leader of a talented culinary team.

• Lots of creativity and interaction with clients for tastings.
• Ability to organize and execute multiple events at the same time.
• Experience at a venue with over $5M+ in catering sales
• Prefer education / training to include Culinary Degree or ACF Certification

Excellent benefit package! $80,000 - $100,000, plus bonus.

Send resume in a Word format attachment to ben@harperjobs.com

SENIOR SOUS CHEF - WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI

Private Country Club position with a long term Harper Associates client.

Join a great team with a talented Executive Chef

Searching for a hands-on creative A La Carte Dining Chef for their very busy member grille rooms. This very successful private golf and country club also has extensive banquet facilities. Responsible for ala carte dining rooms along with assisting with weddings, member club events, and graduation parties. Usually off Monday and Tuesday. This is a 50+ hour, 5 day work week schedule in a spacious, fully equipped kitchen. Arrive at noon or 1:00pm. During busy summer months, a sixth day may be required at times. Great salary, benefits, and work/life balance. $70,000 - $75,000

Highlights

• Creativity and interaction with members for Chef Specials
• Ability to organize and execute a very busy club venue
• Prefer education / training to include Culinary Degree or ACF Certification

Send resume in a Word format attachment to: ben@harperjobs.com

EXECUTIVE CHEF - ROYAL OAK, MI

If you are an accomplished Executive Chef looking to showcase your exceptional culinary talent, this may be what you’ve been looking for. The Executive Chef will take the helm of a highly awarded, upscale restaurant in the Royal Oak area.

We are searching for a highly talented, hands-on Executive Chef with high-volume experience in an upscale, scratch kitchen. Will oversee culinary operations and handle menu development, leading the culinary team, managing financials, and collaborating with the front-of-house managers to deliver exceptional classical cuisine. Must be highly skilled in managing a very busy kitchen and have proven success at leading a team of culinary professionals.

Ideal candidates will have:

• Culinary Degree from CIA, Schoolcraft, Johnson & Wales, or a similar level culinary school
• High-volume, scratch Kitchen Manager, Executive Sous Chef, or Executive Chef experience
• Expertise in ordering, inventory management, labor management, and scheduling
• Experience in menu development and menu costing
• Experience creating and managing the back-of-house budget
• Experience with classic American steakhouse-style restaurant

 Benefits:

• Very competitive base salary
• Outstanding health benefits
• Paid vacation

 Send resume in Word format attachment to kevin@harperjobs.com

CULINARIANS

Looking for culinary professionals with 3-5 years of experience as a Line Cook, Sous Chef, Chef de Cuisine, or Kitchen Manager. Want to bring your talent to a chef-driven restaurant group with menus that only offer high-end, scratch-made cuisine? If so, we're looking for your culinary talent. 

We have several opportunities available for Line Cooks, Chefs, Sous Chefs, and Kitchen Managers with high-volume experience in an upscale, scratch kitchen. Will work as part of a team of chefs to supervise culinary operations and assist in menu development, scheduling, creating specials, and working the line in a high-volume restaurant. Must have leadership experience in a very busy kitchen and have a track record of success. 

Requirements: 

• Culinary Degree from CIA, Schoolcraft, Johnson & Wales, or a similar level culinary school preferred 
• High-volume, scratch Line Cook, Kitchen Manager, Sous Chef, or Executive Chef experience 
• Expertise in ordering, inventory management, labor management, and scheduling 
• Experience in menu development and menu costing 
• Experience creating and managing the back-of-house budget 
• ServSafe Certification 

Benefits: 

• Very competitive compensation based on experience 
• Health benefits 
• Paid vacation 

 Send resume in a Word format attachment to: kevin@harperjobs.com