Executive Chef

Career Highlights

The Executive Chef at Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa is responsible for the strategic leadership, innovation, and execution of all culinary operations. This role includes overseeing multiple culinary outlets, managing large culinary teams, and providing leadership for the resort's signature Teaching Kitchen and culinary education programming.

About the Role

At Miraval, the Executive Chef serves as a culinary leader who embodies the resort's philosophy of Conscious Nourishment in the Pursuit of Wellbeing. This role requires a deep understanding of nutrition, culinary techniques, and the role food plays in creating a balanced life.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for all culinary operations including restaurants, in-room dining, banquets, wellness programming, special events, and the Teaching Kitchen.
• Develop seasonal menus that celebrate wellness, flavor, sustainability, and locally inspired ingredients while supporting Miraval's nutritional philosophy.
• Lead culinary innovation while ensuring consistency, quality, presentation, and execution across all dining experiences.
• Champion continuous improvement and cultivate a culture of creativity and excellence throughout the culinary team.
• Lead the vision and execution of Miraval's Teaching Kitchen experience as a signature component of the guest journey.
• Collaborate with Nutritionists, Experience Guides, and Resort Leadership to develop engaging culinary education, demonstrations, workshops, and interactive guest programming.
• Ensure nutrition education is approachable, inspiring, and aligned with Miraval's wellness philosophy.
• Foster meaningful guest engagement through culinary storytelling, education, and hands-on experiences that empower guests beyond their stay.
• Recruit, mentor, coach, and develop culinary leaders and colleagues while fostering an inclusive, respectful, and high-performing kitchen culture.
• Build leadership bench strength through succession planning and professional development.
• Conduct performance evaluations, coaching conversations, recognition, and corrective action consistent with Hyatt policies.
• Promote collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning throughout the culinary organization.
• Develop and manage annual culinary budgets and operating plans.
• Maintain the highest standards of food quality, sanitation, safety, and cleanliness.
• Ensure compliance with all health department regulations, HACCP guidelines, ServSafe standards, and Hyatt operating procedures.
• Conduct regular quality assurance reviews and operational walkthroughs.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6 years of progressive culinary leadership experience within luxury hotels, resorts, or destination wellness properties.
• At least 4 years in an Executive Chef, Executive Sous Chef, or equivalent senior culinary leadership role.
• Experience leading multiple culinary outlets, banquet operations, and large culinary teams.
• Experience developing wellness-focused, seasonal, or nutrition-conscious menus preferred.
• Luxury resort, Forbes-rated, Michelin-recognized, or wellness hospitality experience strongly preferred.
• Hyatt experience preferred.
• Passion for wellness, nutrition, and culinary education.
• Demonstrated ability to translate culinary excellence into meaningful guest experiences.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
• Excellent financial acumen with experience managing food cost, labor, forecasting, and budgeting.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills with comfort teaching and interacting directly with guests.
• Creative, innovative, and collaborative leadership style.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced luxury resort environment.
• Strong organizational, administrative, and project management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and hospitality technology systems.
• Culinary degree or equivalent professional culinary training preferred.
• ServSafe Certification required.
• Additional nutrition or wellness-related education or certifications are a plus.

Benefits

We offer excellent benefits: complimentary room nights, unlimited discounted and Friends & Family Room Rates, medical, prescription, dental and vision insurance on the 30th day of employment, 401K with company match, generous Paid Time Off policy, paid sick time, paid family bonding time and adoption assistance, tuition & wellbeing reimbursement, free colleague meals during shift, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, access to resort facilities including spa services, programs, hiking trails and gym. Exact benefit package is contingent on status.