Matt Smith
Executive Chef The Whale
- Role
- Excutive Chef the Whale at Legacy Hospitality Group Llc
- Location
- La Grange, IL, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Matt Smith
I am a hospitality and culinary operations executive with 20+ years of experience leading food and beverage programs for restaurants, hotels, and entertainment venues across Chicago and beyond.What drives me is the ability to build strong teams, optimize operations, and deliver memorable guest experiences—all while keeping an eye on profitability and brand growth. My career has taken me from working alongside legends like Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Wolfgang Puck to leading banquet operations at the United Center and guiding neighborhood favorites like Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap.Along the way, I’ve: • Designed cost-control systems that saved $1M annually at Mastro’s Steakhouse. • Directed operations for the 2019 NBA All-Star Game at the United Center. • Built award-winning teams and menus that boosted both morale and market recognition. • Helped hospitality groups like Legacy Hospitality scale new restaurant concepts successfully.I thrive at the intersection of culinary innovation and executive leadership—roles like Director of F&B, Corporate Chef, or Operations Director where strategy, people, and performance come together.Always open to connecting with leaders in hospitality, food innovation, and corporate dining who are looking for proven leadership with a passion for excellence.
Experience
Excutive Chef the Whale
May 2023 — Present · Chicago, IL, US
Glamorous destination for elevated American fare & cocktails with a mid-century gambling theme.https://thewhalechicago.com
Education
International Culinary Center
Grand Diplôme Pastry, Baking and Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef
1998 — 1999
Find verified contacts for anyone on LinkedIn
Unifers gives sales teams verified emails and direct dials, enriched profiles, and outreach that lands in the inbox.
Free plan included · No credit card required
This profile is compiled from publicly available professional sources. Unifers is not affiliated with or endorsed by LinkedIn. Request removal of this profile.