Executive Chef

Toasted at the Lyric
The Florian & Eaves, Chicago Loop

About the Role

Toasted Hospitality is seeking an Executive Chef to lead the culinary program for Toasted at the Lyric, overseeing both The Florian (our elevated supper club) and Eaves (our Southern European–inspired cocktail bar & bistro) located at the iconic Civic Opera Building.

This is a unique opportunity to operate at the intersection of hospitality and the performing arts, serving guests of the Lyric Opera and Joffrey Ballet while also building a destination for the Loop’s everyday lunch and dinner crowd.

Concept Overview

Eaves is a refined, intimate cocktail bar and bistro inspired by French, Italian, and Spanish café culture, featuring handmade pastas, composed small plates, and a beverage program rooted in thoughtful, savory-driven cocktails.

The Florian is a classic supper club experience designed to complement performance nights, focused on polished execution, timing, and elevated guest experience.

Together, the venues operate as a dynamic, seasonally driven business tied closely to the performance calendar, with strong lunch, pre-theater, intermission, and post-show demand.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all culinary operations across both venues, including menu development, execution, and team leadership
• Build and maintain a high-performing kitchen team across multiple dayparts and service styles
• Execute a menu that balances refinement with operational efficiency in a space with physical constraints
• Collaborate closely with beverage leadership to ensure cohesive food & beverage pairings
• Own food cost, labor management, and kitchen systems with a strong focus on consistency and profitability
• Manage prep, service flow, and timing around performance schedules (pre-show, intermission, post-show)
• Drive seasonal menu changes and continuous product improvement
• Maintain strong vendor relationships and sourcing standards
• Uphold all sanitation, safety, and compliance standards

Schedule & Work-Life Balance

One of the defining features of this role is a more balanced schedule relative to traditional executive chef positions:

• Primarily Monday–Friday during non-opera season
• Weekend and evening volume concentrated around performance schedules
• Seasonal ebbs and flows tied to the Lyric Opera and Joffrey Ballet calendars

This role offers a rare opportunity for a high-level chef to maintain creative and operational leadership while achieving a more sustainable work-life balance.

Ideal Candidate

• 3+ years in a senior kitchen leadership role (Executive Chef or strong CDC ready to step up)
• Experience with European-inspired cuisine (French, Italian, Spanish)
• Strong systems operator, comfortable managing cost controls, prep systems, and multi-outlet execution
• Experience in high-volume, high-standard environments (hotels, theater dining, or multi-concept groups a plus)
• Ability to lead through both structured service (pre/post theater) and à la carte flow
• Collaborative mindset with strong communication across FOH, beverage, and ownership
• Passion for hospitality, detail, and guest experience

About Toasted Hospitality

Toasted Hospitality is a Chicago-based, family-owned restaurant group known for thoughtful concepts, strong beverage programs, and operational excellence across multiple venues in the Loop and West Loop.

More detail about Toasted Hospitality part of Toasted Hospitality, please visit https://culinaryagents.com/entities/490254-Toasted-Hospitality