As a Café Chef, you excel in preparing high-quality culinary offerings with precision and speed, demonstrating a proficiency in kitchen management for flawless dining experience. Your culinary expertise combined with strong leadership skills ensures smooth kitchen operations, consistent food excellence, and a positive team culture that contributes significantly to the café's reputation and success.
Responsibilities: Kitchen Operations & Food Quality
- Oversee all kitchen operations and food preparation, ensuring consistent quality, taste, and presentation across all menu items.
- Develop, test, and refine breakfast and brunch menu items, incorporating seasonal ingredients and customer preferences.
- Create and maintain standardized recipes, portion controls, and plating guidelines for all menu items.
- Ensure all dishes meet quality standards before being served to customers.
- Conduct regular taste tests and quality checks throughout service periods.
- Innovate and introduce new menu items based on culinary trends, customer feedback, and seasonal availability.
Team Leadership & Management
- Lead, train, and supervise kitchen staff including Junior Cooks, Kitchen Assistants, and Kitchen Helpers.
- Create staff schedules ensuring adequate coverage during peak breakfast and brunch hours.
- Conduct regular training sessions on cooking techniques, food safety, and kitchen procedures.
- Monitor team performance, provide constructive feedback, and implement improvement plans.
- Foster a positive, collaborative kitchen culture that motivates staff and maintains high morale.
- Handle disciplinary matters and resolve conflicts within the kitchen team professionally.
Inventory & Cost Management
- Manage inventory levels, conduct regular stock counts, and minimize food waste through proper portioning and storage.
- Establish and maintain relationships with suppliers to ensure quality ingredients at competitive prices.
- Monitor food costs, analyze variance reports, and implement cost-control measures without compromising quality.
- Create purchasing orders and manage stock rotation using FIFO (First In, First Out) method.
- Track and analyze kitchen expenses, identifying opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements.
- Set and maintain food cost targets in alignment with café profitability goals.
Food Safety & Compliance
- Ensure strict compliance with all food safety regulations, health codes, and HACCP standards.
- Maintain immaculate kitchen cleanliness and sanitation standards at all times.
- Conduct regular equipment inspections and coordinate maintenance and repairs.
- Implement and monitor proper food storage, temperature control, and labeling procedures.
- Lead kitchen safety initiatives and ensure all staff follow safety protocols.
- Prepare for and manage health inspections, ensuring full compliance with regulatory requirements.
Collaboration & Communication
- Work closely with café management to align kitchen operations with overall business objectives.
- Coordinate with front-of-house team to ensure smooth service flow and customer satisfaction.
- Communicate effectively with staff about daily specials, menu changes, and operational updates.
- Handle customer feedback regarding food quality and make necessary adjustments.
- Participate in management meetings and contribute to strategic planning for café growth.
Desirable Skills and Experience
Must-haves
- Bachelor's Degree or Diploma in Culinary Arts, Hotel and Restaurant Management, Food Technology, or equivalent professional culinary certification.
- At least 3-5 years of culinary experience with minimum 2 years in a supervisory or managerial role, preferably in a café, restaurant, or hotel breakfast/brunch operation.
- Proven track record of menu development and recipe creation for breakfast/brunch service.
- Strong knowledge of various cooking techniques, kitchen equipment, and international breakfast cuisines.
- Comprehensive understanding of HACCP, food safety regulations, and health compliance standards.
- Excellent leadership and team management skills with ability to motivate and develop kitchen staff.
- Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency in inventory management, cost control, and kitchen operations budgeting.
- Exceptional attention to detail in food preparation, presentation, and quality control.
- Flexibility to work early mornings, weekends, and holidays as required by café operations.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for cross-functional collaboration.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience as a Head Chef, Sous Chef, or Kitchen Manager in a successful café or restaurant.
- Specialty knowledge in breakfast and brunch cuisine, including pastries, eggs, pancakes, and café favorites.
- Experience with café-style plating and presentation techniques.
- Strong understanding of dietary restrictions, allergies, and special menu accommodations.
- Knowledge of current food trends, health-conscious menu options, and specialty coffee pairings.
- Experience with menu engineering and pricing strategies.
- Proficiency in kitchen management software and point-of-sale systems.
- Food costing and profit margin analysis skills.
- Crisis management experience handling kitchen emergencies and high-pressure situations.
- Culinary competition experience or professional recognitions.
- Training certifications or experience conducting culinary workshops.
- Passion for mentoring and developing junior culinary talent.
- Network of reliable suppliers and vendors in the food industry.
Perks and Benefits
- 13th Month pay
- Paid time off (PTO) for Sick Leave, Vacation Leave, Emergency Leave
- Maternity or Paternity leave
- HMO upon regularization
- Life insurance upon regularization
- MediCash for personal and dependents use
- Rice, clothing, laundry, and meal allowance
- Achievement Allowances
- Birthday Treats
- Company Events and TreatsOnline trainings/Webinars
- Career advancement and promotion opportunities
Job Type
- Full-time position
- Shifting schedule
- Managerial/Supervisory level
Schedule
- Flexible shifts including early mornings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
Salary
- Starts at PHP 25,000 to 30,000 per month