DEMI CHEF - BANQUET

PENN Entertainment, Inc.; Joliet (IL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Hollywood Casino Joliet is seeking a dedicated culinary professional to lead kitchen operations for a specific outlet and shift. You will oversee food preparation, maintain cleanliness, and drive cost-conscious menu planning while delivering high-quality items to guests.

The role requires strong teamwork, excellent English communication, and adherence to safety and sanitation standards. Prior culinary experience and apprentice program exposure are valued.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED completed.
• Participation in a chef’s apprentice program.
• Two years or more culinary experience.
• Knowledge of food costs and labor costs.

Responsibilities

• Maintain culinary standards and kitchen operations for a specific outlet and shift.
• Administers all aspects of food preparation; keep kitchen clean and stocked.
• Adjust menus to improve costs, volume, quality and appeal.
• Perform the functions of any culinary task across stations when needed.
• Meet sanitation requirements in line with ServSafe and company policy.
• Adhere to bargaining unit agreements.
• Support safety and proper knife handling and lifting.
• Monitor garbage separation and disposal per standards.
• Coach and correct to ensure quality and consistency.
• Coordinate workflow during shift to meet business demands and guest satisfaction.
• Engage with guests for feedback and address concerns professionally.
• Present oneself as a credit to the Company and encourage others.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Menu planning

Food preparation

Cost control

Customer service

English communication

Education

High School diploma or GED

Chef’s apprentice program

Two years or more culinary experience

Job description

Introduction

...

Overview

At Hollywood Casino Joliet, we take pride in creating memorable experiences for our guests while fostering a workplace built on teamwork, respect, and exceptional service.

We are looking for enthusiastic, dependable, and service-oriented individuals who enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and contributing to a positive team atmosphere.

Whether working directly with guests or supporting operations behind the scenes, every team member plays an important role in our success.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for culinary standards and operational guidelines within a specific outlet for a specific shift including kitchen areas, food preparation activities and facilities.
• Administers all aspects of food preparation, ensuring kitchen is clean, well-stocked and problem-free.
• Recommends changes on all standard menus and consistently strives through menu planning to improve food costs, volume, quality, attractiveness and efficient preparation of all food related items.
• Ability to perform the functions of any culinary task assigned within kitchen such as broiler, sauté, Asian and prep when needed.
• Accountable for meeting or exceeding all State and Company sanitation requirements (ServSafe).
• Understand and adhere to all bargaining unit agreements.
• Supports safety and accident prevention programs (knife handling, proper lifting).
• Monitoring/implementation of garbage separation and disposal as per standards.
• Holding others accountable; including coaching and correcting to ensure quality standards are met and product consistency is maintained.
• Responsible for coordinating workflow during shift to meet business demands and ensure customer satisfaction.
• Visibility to customer, soliciting/requesting feedback on food quality and responds to guest concerns appropriately and professionally to resolve any issues.
• Presents oneself as a credit to Company and encourages others to do the same.
• Performs all other related and compatible duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School diploma or general education degree (GED) and participation in a chef’s apprentice program, or minimum of two years or more culinary.
• Knowledge of menu planning, soups, sauces, meat, poultry and seafood items is required.
• Knowledge of Food & Labor costs.
• Proven problem solving and critical thinking skills required.
• Must possess excellent customer service and employee relations skills.
• Good oral and written communication skills, must be fluent and literate in English.