Executive Chef
Executive Chef — McKarl's Libations & Cuisine
Location: Jacksonville, FL (serving Northeast Florida & beyond)
Type: Full-Time, Salaried
Compensation: $70,000–$80,000/year, depending on experience
About Us
McKarl's Libations & Cuisine is one of Northeast Florida's premier catering and craft-cocktail companies. Founded in 2021 by Matthew and Sarah McIntyre, the company grew from humble beginnings — the two founders lost their hospitality jobs in early 2020 and built McKarl's up from backyard bartending into a full-service event brand.
Today, McKarl's delivers chef-driven cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, and seamless service for weddings, corporate galas, private events, and brand activations across Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, Amelia Island, and beyond. Our team offers a full suite of high-end hospitality: full-service catering, mobile bartending, craft cocktail experiences, food-and-cocktail pairings, bourbon steward education (in partnership with the Stave & Thief Society), bar program consulting, and brand promotion through our sister company, MCK Promotions & Events.
We've been trusted to deliver excellence at some of the region's most prestigious events — from the Masters Tournament to TPC Sawgrass to the UF Health Gala — and along the way we've helped raise more than $200,000 for nonprofit causes. Backed by a team of experienced hospitality professionals, we scale to events of any size while treating every guest like a VIP.
At McKarl's, we don't just cater events — we design paired experiences where every plate and every pour work together. Education, empowerment, and elevating experiences are at the core of everything we do.
Position Overview
We're seeking an Executive Chef to lead the culinary side of our catering and events business. This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for menu development, kitchen operations, and the consistent execution of chef-driven food across both on-site and off-site events. It's ideal for a chef who thrives in a fast-paced, event-driven environment, takes ownership of quality and cost, and wants to help build and scale a growing hospitality brand.
Schedule
Full-time, salaried, event-driven. Hours will vary week to week based on the catering calendar and will include evenings, weekends, and holidays as events require.
Responsibilities
- Own menu development and design for weddings, corporate functions, galas, private events, and brand activations — including plated and buffet-style service
- Lead culinary execution from prep through service, ensuring McKarl's quality and presentation standards on every event
- Hire, train, schedule, and manage kitchen and prep staff; build a dependable, high-performing culinary team
- Manage food cost, portioning, purchasing, and inventory to hit margin and consistency targets
- Maintain food safety, sanitation, and proper storage/transport standards throughout every event
- Set up, run, and break down mobile/on-site kitchens and food-service stations
- Partner with the bar and beverage team to design and execute food-and-cocktail pairings — a signature of the McKarl's experience
- Coordinate closely with event leads and front-of-house staff to ensure smooth service timing
- Help develop the recipes, systems, and processes that allow the culinary program to scale as the company grows
- Adapt quickly to changing event needs, timelines, and client requests
Qualifications
- Several years of professional culinary experience, including catering, banquet, or high-volume cooking, with prior leadership or executive-level kitchen experience
- Proven menu development, plating, and presentation skills
- Strong command of food-cost management, purchasing, and inventory control
- Florida Food Manager Certification or ServSafe (Manager level), or willingness to obtain
- Valid Florida driver's license (required for transporting food/equipment to venues)
- Ability to lead a team and stay calm under pressure in variable, off-site kitchen conditions
- Strong communication, organization, and teamwork skills
- Ability to lift up to 40 lbs and stand for extended periods
- Flexible availability, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
Why Work With Us
- Lead the culinary vision for one of Northeast Florida's fastest-growing, award-winning hospitality brands
- Variety of events and menus — from intimate private dinners to large-scale galas, no two events are the same
- A pairing-driven program where food and craft cocktails are designed to work together
- Real ownership and the chance to build systems, recipes, and a team as the company scales
- Be part of a mission rooted in education, empowerment, and elevating every guest experience
If you want to be a part of something special that puts others first this is the job for you. At McKarls it is Hospitality first and food and beverage second. If you are a selfless, motivated, and talented chef we are looking for you!
Pay: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year
Ability to Commute:
- Jacksonville, FL 32207 (Required)
Work Location: In person
