Chef de Cuisine - Cucina (Italian Speciality)

Job Summary

Accountable for the quality, consistency and production of the restaurant kitchen. Exhibits culinary talents by personally performing tasks while leading the staff and managing all food related functions. Coordinates menus, purchasing, staffing and food preparation for the property's restaurant. Works with team to improve guest and employee satisfaction while maintaining the operating budget. Must ensure sanitation and food standards are achieved. Develops and trains team to improve results.

Candidate Profile

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED; 4 years experience in the culinary, food and beverage, or related professional area.
• OR 2-year degree from an accredited university in Culinary Arts, Hotel and Restaurant Management, or related major; 2 years experience in the culinary, food and beverage, or related professional area.

Core Work Activities

Ensuring Culinary Standards and Responsibilities are Met for Restaurant

• Develops, designs, or creates new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions for restaurant.
• Supervises restaurant kitchen shift operations and ensures compliance with all Food & Beverage policies, standards and procedures.
• Maintains food preparation handling and correct storage standards.
• Recognizes superior quality products, presentations and flavor.
• Plans and manages food quantities and plating requirements for the restaurant.
• Communicates production needs to key personnel.
• Assists in developing daily and seasonal menu items for the restaurant.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
• Follows proper handling and right temperature of all food products.
• Estimates daily restaurant production needs.
• Prepares and cooks foods of all types, either on a regular basis or for special guests or functions.
• Checks the quality of raw and cooked food products to ensure that standards are met.
• Determines how food should be presented and creates decorative food displays.

Leading Kitchen Team

• Supervises and coordinates activities of cooks and workers engaged in food preparation.
• Utilizes interpersonal and communication skills to lead, influence, and encourage others.
• Leads shift teams while personally preparing food items and executing requests based on required specifications.
• Manages restaurant kitchen employees and all day-to-day operations.
• Encourages and builds mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Serves as a role model to demonstrate appropriate behaviors.
• Maintains productivity levels of employees.
• Ensures employees are cross-trained to support successful daily operations.
• Establishes and maintains open, collaborative relationships with employees.

Establishing and Maintaining Restaurant Kitchen Goals

• Sets and supports achievement of kitchen goals including performance, budget and team goals.
• Develops specific guidance and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish daily kitchen operations.
• Understands the impact of kitchen operations on overall property financial goals.
• Investigates, reports and follows-up on employee accidents.
• Knows and implements company safety standards.

Ensuring Exceptional Customer Service

• Provides services that are above and beyond for customer satisfaction and retention.
• Manages day-to-day operations, ensuring the quality and standards meet customer expectations.
• Improves service performance and guest satisfaction scores.