Chef De Cuisine, Hale Kai

AccorHotel; Hawaii; On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan & matching

Discounted dining

Career development

Employee travel program

Job summary

Fairmont Orchid on Hawai‘i Island seeks a Chef de Cuisine to lead Hale Kai, our casual beachfront all-day dining venue, during a multi‑million‑dollar renovation. You will inspire a culinary team and oversee daily kitchen operations with excellence.

Your passion for island-inspired cuisine, leadership, and guest satisfaction will drive memorable experiences while ensuring quality, safety, and brand standards across the kitchen.

Qualifications

• Previous leadership experience in the Culinary field is required.
• Diploma Certification in a Culinary discipline is preferred.
• Ability to coordinate a team and work well under fast-paced, high-pressure conditions.

Responsibilities

• Lead Hale Kai daily culinary operations with high quality and presentation.
• Inspire and develop a high-performing culinary team.
• Create memorable dining experiences with innovative menus and premium ingredients.
• Ensure brand standards, recipes, and safety guidelines are followed.
• Communicate service expectations and changes with the kitchen team.
• Collaborate with restaurant leadership to optimize guest flow and service excellence.
• Manage labor, inventory, and cost controls to meet financial goals.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, sanitation, and food safety.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Team leadership

Time management

Organization

Collaboration

Guest service

Education

Diploma Certification in culinary

Job description

Explore limitless possibilities, dreams and adventures on Hawai’i Island as you blaze a trail for a rewarding career in hospitality. Embrace our passion for Hawai’i’s heritage, culture and traditions with amazing career opportunities that await you in paradise. Journey into a luxury oasis where the aloha spirit comes alive.

Fairmont Orchid is an award-winning luxury resort located on the majestic Kohala Coast of Hawai‘i Island. Immerse yourself in an authentic Hawaiian experience, surrounded by 32 oceanfront acres of lush tropical gardens, cascading waterfalls and a tranquil white sand beach and lagoon. Hawai‘i’s warmth and serenity are reflected throughout the design of our family-friendly hotel accommodations with spacious guest rooms, suites and the exclusive Fairmont Gold concierge floor.

Resort amenities include our Spa Without Walls, a 10,000-square-foot oceanfront pool, cultural activities, onsite restaurants, access to world-class golf, a 24/7 fitness center and a 10-court tennis pavilion. Inspired by culture, well-being and genuine aloha, Fairmont Orchid welcomes you to experience authentic Hawai‘i.

What is in it for you:

• Premium preferred provider medical/drug/vision benefits at competitive prices.
• We put you first & value you with employer paid coverage for group life and accidental insurance coverage (1x annual salary) + Coverage is available for your ‘ohana!*
• We believe that hospitality has the power to unlock a better tomorrow with our 401(k)/retirement saving plan & matching program.
• Don’t just live in the moment – own your moment with 15 paid holiday/personal days per year + 10 days of paid vacation that begin accruing immediately*
• Incentive Bonuses are available to inspire creativity & dedication to deliver exceptional experiences.
• We go the extra mile by offering 50% discounts at hotel restaurants, 50% discount on retail items at our Fairmont Store & 30% discount of services offered in our Spa Without Walls.
• We are globetrotters taking advantage of our Travel Program with unlimited employee discounts at Accor properties + Friends & Family rates (5,000+ hotels worldwide)*
• Complimentary food & beverageon property

As Chef de Cuisine at Hale Kai, you will lead the exciting multi-million-dollar renovation of Hale Kai “House of the Sea” – redefining luxury coastal dining. Working alongside a talented culinary team, you will oversee daily kitchen operations while inspiring excellence through leadership, creativity, and precision.

Hale Kai is Fairmont Orchid’s casual, beachfront all-day dining venue, offering fresh island-inspired cuisine, tropical beverages, and warm Hawaiian hospitality in a relaxed oceanfront setting.

In this role, you will lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of culinary professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence. Your passion for outstanding cuisine, quality, and guest satisfaction will ensure every dish contributes to memorable experiences that Make Special Happen.

What you will be doing:

Reporting to the Executive Sous Chef, responsibilities and essential job functions include, but are not limited to:

• Lead the day-to-day culinary operations of Hale Kai, ensuring exceptional quality, consistency, and presentation in every dish.
• Inspire, mentor, coach, and develop a high-performing culinary team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Create unforgettable dining experiences by consistently delivering exceptional cuisine and personalized guest experiences.
• Consistently offer professional, friendly, and proactive guest service while supporting our colleagues
• Partner with the Executive Chef and Executive Sous Chef to develop innovative menus, seasonal features, and specialty offerings that showcase creativity and premium ingredients.
• Ensure all culinary brand standards, recipes, preparation methods, and presentation guidelines are executed with precision.
• Conduct daily culinary briefings and communicate service expectations, menu changes, and operational priorities with the kitchen team.
• Collaborate closely with restaurant leadership to maintain open communication regarding guest feedback, service flow, and operational excellence.
• Monitor food quality, purchasing, inventory, ordering, and cost controls to achieve financial and operational goals.
• Develop schedules and manage labor productivity while maintaining an engaged, high-performing team.
• Ensure all kitchen areas, equipment, and food storage meet the highest standards of cleanliness, organization, food safety, and sanitation.
• Champion a safe workplace by ensuring compliance with all health, safety, and sanitation policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Your experience and skills include:

• Previous leadership experience in the Culinary field, required
• Diploma Certification in a Culinary discipline, preferred
• Natural leader to keep the team engaged and focused
• Organized with solid time management skills
• Team player with a collaborative approach
• Ability to coordinate a team, work well under a fast paced & high-pressure environment, driven to remain calm & courteous at all times, and hold the needs of a guest with high priority.

Salary Range:

$90,000 - $100,000 USD

Visa Requirements:

Must be legally eligible to work in the United States. The hotel is unable to assist candidates in obtaining U.S. work authorization.

Your team and working environment:

Join a collaborative team dedicated to delivering exceptional luxury experiences. You will work alongside passionate Heartists who support one another, anticipate guest needs, and bring our commitment to Make Special Happen to life every day.

Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:

We are an inclusive company and our ambition is to attract, recruit and promote diverse talent.

About Fairmont Hotels & Resorts:

At Fairmont Hotels & Resorts we offer our guests the finest hospitality experience in each of our destinations. And we know that, to offer our guests the best, we first need to offer our employees the best. That’s why you’ll find exceptional work opportunities – throughout North America and the Caribbean, Europe and Africa, the Middle East and Asia Pacific – as well as industry leading training, career development, recognition and rewards. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is a celebrated collection of hotel that includes landmark locations like London’s The Savoy, New York’s The Plaza, and Shanghai’s Fairmont Peace Hotel. Our teams are guided by values of Respect, Integrity, Teamwork and Empowerment; we employ the highest ethical and quality standards, treating all colleague with fairness & dignity. A community and environmental leader, Fairmont is also regarded for its responsible tourism practices and award – winning Green Partnership Program. An exciting future awaits!

Do what you love, care for the world, dare to challenge the status quo! #BELIMITLESS

#LI-KK2

#AlohaOrchid