Banquet Captain | The Charmant Hotel

Columbia Hospitality; La Crosse (WI); On-site; USD 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a passionate team at a historic hotel in La Crosse, WI, as a Banquet Captain. This role is vital in ensuring exceptional catering experiences, requiring strong leadership and culinary skills. You'll manage a dedicated team, enhance catering operations, and create memorable dining experiences for guests. With a focus on teamwork and attention to detail, this position offers a unique opportunity to thrive in a dynamic environment. If you have a passion for hospitality and a commitment to excellence, this is the perfect place for you to grow your career.

Benefits

Competitive Pay

Additional Benefits

Team Training Programs

Employee Discounts

Qualifications

• 1–2 years experience in culinary/food management required.
• Ability to lead and train kitchen staff effectively.

Responsibilities

• Hire, train, and lead catering BOH staff to meet standards.
• Plan and develop catering menus considering costs and marketability.

Skills

Leadership

Culinary Management

Menu Development

Food Safety

Communication

Education

Culinary Degree

ServSafe Certification

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Banquet Captain | The Charmant Hotel

Reports to : Culinary Director
Job Classification : Full Time, Exempt - Management

Job Description
As a team member of The Waterfront Restaurant and Tavern, your job is to fulfill our mission, be part of our vision, and work in support of our philosophy as the Catering Sous Chef. This position is an integral role in meeting the expectations we hold for ourselves, as well as those our guests hold for The Waterfront. You are required to be adaptive, proactive, aware, intuitive and masterful in your leadership as Catering Sous Chef. Generate ideas to improve or enhance catering operations and the guest experience, and implement those ideas because you are an empowered team member.

You will be paid competitively with opportunity for additional benefits. Your success will be measured through favorable reviews and your ability to meet stated objectives.

Job Responsibilities
• Hire, train, evaluate, lead, motivate, coach and discipline all catering BOH staff on the banquet food production to ensure that all established standards are met
• Check, coordinate, and fulfill details of each catering function per the banquet event order
• Identify catering service and execution issues and take appropriate action to correct them
• Identify staff development needs and create action plan to correct
• Efficiently plan and develop catering menus in collaboration with ownership/ownership representative and Executive Chefs while considering factors such as product availability, food and labor costs, menu concepts, marketability, business volume
• Assist in pricing catering menus that align with food cost goals and profitability expectations
• Ensure the correct preparation and presentation of a consistent level for all catering food items prepared through production and demonstration – ensure catering tasting events are accurately represented in final catering execution
• Control labor and operating expenses that align with set goals and budgets
• Ensure the implementation of correct food production for each catering event to maximize effectiveness and efficiency of the specified catering expectations
• Meet with potential and confirmed catering clients to discuss or develop menu options
• Ensure all catering execution accurately reflects information stated on BEOs, direction from catering managers, and meets or exceeds guest expectations
• Ensure proper receiving, storage and rotation of products to comply with standards
• Ensure order and practices remain within budgets
• Ensure that high standards of sanitation, cleanliness and safety are maintained throughout all kitchen areas at all times and comply with Waterfront, local, state and federal regulations
• Safeguard all food preparation employees by implementing training to increase their knowledge about safety, sanitation and accident prevention principles
• Assist in establishing and maintaining a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule for all kitchen areas and equipment
• Attend and help direct BEO meetings to ensure all events will be executed accurately
• Be prepared with an update of catering operations at each weekly manager meeting
• In conjunction with Catering and FOH/BOH management team, assist in maintaining a high level of service principles in accordance with established TWF standards
• Communicate with staff and management to ensure operational needs are met
• Successfully complete an accurate food inventories on a monthly and annual basis
• Review financial results with General Manager at the end of each month and develop a plan if COGS exceeds budget
• Maintain a daily log for communication between staff and upper management
• Provide, develop, train and maintain a professional workforce
• Ensure all service to guests are conducted in a highly professional and efficient manner
• Ensure a safe working environment and attitude on the part of all employees in areas of responsibility
• Attend all required meetings and trainings
• Comply with all Weber Group and Waterfront company policies and facilitate necessary company policies and procedures as required by the company
• All other responsibilities assigned by management

Other Skills & Abilities
• Ability to interact positively with supervisor, management, coworkers, guests and the public to promote a team effort and maintain a positive and professional approach
• Ability to produce a high volume of work in a timely, accurate and complete manner
• Ability to come to work regularly and on time, to follow directions, to take criticism, to get along with coworkers and supervisors, to treat coworkers, supervisors and guests with respect and courtesy

Job Requirements
• Excellent reading, writing and oral proficiency in the English language
• Computer literate – proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and attentive to email correspondence
• 1–2 years previous experience in culinary/food management
• Experience in high-volume catering operation
• ServSafe certified, or equivalent, or certified within 90 days of employment

Physical Requirements
• Continuous standing and walking for minimum 4–5 hours at a time
• Negotiating wet tile floors and/or steps
• Fine motor coordination is needed to fulfill plating and general food preparation tasks
• Lifting items weighing over 20 lbs.
• Push/pull force of minimum 12 lbs.
• Work in extreme temperatures such as freezers (-10°F), kitchens (+110°F) and various outdoor conditions for one hour or more
• Ability to handle knives and perform cutting skills on work surfaces of various heights
• Requires grasping, writing, standing, sitting, walking, repetitive motions, bending, climbing, listening and hearing ability and visual acuity

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Further, this job description is a living document and intended to evolve as the company and position needs to evolve.

Legal: Columbia Hospitality is posting and recruiting for this role as a proud partner of The Charmant Hotel / The Weber Group. All employees will be employed by The Charmant Hotel / The Weber Group, a separate entity from Columbia Hospitality.

Where you’ll work:
To say that the Charmant is a one-of-a-kind-destination is an incredible understatement. As the only historic hotel in La Crosse, WI, the Charmant is a special place for guests and team members alike. Our crew appreciate and honor the uniqueness of the Charmant, fussing about the smallest detail, while always offering a welcoming smile. Our team is a close-knit unit, centered on hospitality, thrilled to please and always attentive to our guests needs. If this sounds like home to you, we welcome your interest and the chance to work together.

The Fine Print
Columbia Hospitality, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive environment without regard to age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. We strive for excellence in every position within the company and select the most qualified people who embrace our service philosophy and these values.

Accountability | Creativity | Enthusiasm | Honesty | Inclusion | Respect

Columbia Hospitality is a national management and consulting company with more than 25 years of experience in creating hospitality solutions and delivering exceptional experiences. Our portfolio includes award-winning hotels and resorts, premier residential communities, restaurants and bars, private and public golf clubs, conference centers, and distinctive venues. Columbia Hospitality has been consistently recognized as one of the Top Companies to Work for in Washington by Seattle Business Magazine and Puget Sound Business Journal for their commitment to creating a fun, dynamic and nurturing work environment for team members.