Executive Chef

Sonesta Hotels; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a passionate Executive Chef to lead the Culinary department. This role involves overseeing daily kitchen operations, ensuring food quality, and enhancing guest satisfaction. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in the hospitality industry, exceptional leadership skills, and a commitment to creating memorable dining experiences. Join a team that values creativity and excellence, and help shape a culture of caring while achieving operational and financial goals. If you're ready to inspire and lead a dedicated culinary team, this exciting opportunity awaits you!

Benefits

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

Health Savings Account with Company Match

401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match

Paid Vacation and Sick Day

Sonesta Hotel Discounts

Educational Assistance

Paid Parental Leave

Company Paid Life Insurance

Company Paid Short Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance

Various Employee Perks and Discounts

Qualifications

• Ability to work in a physically demanding environment under time constraints.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills in a culinary setting.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily operations of the Culinary department ensuring high standards.
• Develop menus and ensure quality food presentation to meet guest expectations.
• Train and motivate culinary staff to uphold company standards.

Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills

Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Strong supervisory and leadership skills

Extensive knowledge of hotel and hospitality industry

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

Job Description Summary

The Executive Chef sets the tone for Sonesta’s Culture of Caring. We expect leaders to focus on creating amazing moments for guests and team members and dig deep to find ways to create success for their team.

The Executive Chef is responsible for all aspects of managing the Culinary department by providing the leadership and ensuring the effectiveness and the success of the daily operations of the Kitchen. The Executive Chef is responsible for making sure that food preparation is executed at the highest standards and that food items and kitchen equipment are handled in accordance with safety and sanitation standards. The role’s primary responsibility is to drive results through their entire Culinary department. In this role, the Executive Chef is expected to promote and implement property-wide strategies that will increase guest satisfaction, reduce employee turnover, maintain revenue and payroll budgets, meet and exceed productivity goals.

Sonesta managers are charged with providing strategic vision, ensuring tactical execution, and actively managing their department to achieve the company’s revenue and profitability goals and objectives.

The ideal candidate has a passion for building and motivating teams that achieve results. Sonesta managers are guest-focused (both internal and external) and achievement-oriented leaders.

Job Description

Operational/Functional:

1. Provide the direction for all day-to-day operations of the Culinary department and ensure the quality and standards are meeting the expectations of the customers and employees.
2. Write and test recipes. Create menus and food displays and provide guidelines for food presentation to kitchen staff.
3. Review BEOs, make notes, develop and assign production and preparation tasks accordingly.
4. Ensure that supplies are ordered, received, and properly stored. Maintain an inventory of supplies and kitchen equipment.
5. Work with the Catering department to develop special menus for functions and meet with meeting planners as requested.
6. Meet with guests to seek feedback and ensure food production meet and exceed guest expectations. Respond to guest complaints and ensure proper follow-up is completed.
7. Monitor payroll, approve timesheets, and process payroll at the end of the pay period.
8. Interview, hire, train, and promote Culinary staff. Provide constructive and consistent feedback and recommend disciplinary action when appropriate.
9. Ensure all Sonesta safety and sanitation standards are adhered to.
10. Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming.
11. Perform any other job-related duties as assigned.

Strategy and Planning:

1. Prepare weekly work schedules in accordance with staffing guidelines and labor forecast and adjust schedules throughout the week to meet business demands.
2. Analyze guest satisfaction data to develop and implement plans to achieve established goals related to guest satisfaction scores.
3. Coordinate projects that require floor condensing and room inventory changes. Conduct regular inventory of food items and equipment.

Financial Management:

1. Manage department expenses and ensure food cost is reviewed daily.
2. Achieve budgeted revenues, control labor costs & expenses, and maximize profitability within the Culinary department.
3. Manage staffing levels to ensure that guest service, operational needs and financial objectives are met.
4. Actively participate and advise in the budget and forecasting processes which support the overall objectives of the hotel.

Managing your Team:

1. Attract, retain, and motivate your team to uphold company standards and practices.
2. Ensure employees receive proper training applicable to their position and career aspirations in accordance with company policy and/or local laws.
3. Conduct pre-shift meetings with staff and review all information pertinent to the day’s business.
4. Monitor, measure, and recognize performance of employees. Conduct the annual performance evaluations.
5. Coach team by providing specific feedback to improve knowledge, skills and performance.
6. Ensure employees are treated fairly and equitably. Handle employee issues in a professional and timely manner.

Leading with Passion:

1. Utilize and collaborate with resources across different departments and corporate office.
2. Motivate employees to perform to their highest standard and establish a trusting environment to enrich the culture.
3. Focus on the mission and well-being of the departments, hotel and company.
4. Lead by example and operate with integrity and respect.
5. Inspire your team to embrace and demonstrate Sonesta’s core values and the guest service standards.

Qualifications and Skills

A candidate for this position must possess the following applicable knowledge, skills and abilities and be able to demonstrate and provide applicable examples to support his/her competency.

1. Must be able to work in environment that requires physical activity under time constraints.
2. Must be able to work with all products and food ingredients used in the kitchen.
3. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
4. Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
5. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
6. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
7. Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
8. Extensive knowledge of hotel and hospitality industry.
9. Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Additional Job Information/Anticipated

Pay Range

Pay range is $100,000 - $120,000 and are eligible for bonus.

The base pay offered may vary based on various factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and specific/overall experience.

Sonesta recognizes that benefits play a vital role in helping ensure the health and financial security of employees and their families. We offer a variety of benefits to our employees including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account with Company Match
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Paid Vacation and Sick Day
• Sonesta Hotel Discounts
• Educational Assistance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• Company Paid Short Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Various Employee Perks and Discounts
• Hospital Indemnity
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Accident Insurance

Go Beyond @SonestaHotels

WHO WE ARE

We are an organization made up of people, thoughts and ideas – all working towards fulfilling our simple mission: To wow every guest, team member, partner & community we operate in by delivering quality, value & amazing hospitality.

We will achieve our mission by being passionate about exceeding expectations - by being persistent, resilient, and constantly seeking new and creative ways to succeed. Doing the Right Thing and Going Beyond are our principles that guide everything we do.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

Sonesta is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Upon submitting your application, please ensure you complete a full application in addition to attaching a resume. Incomplete applications received will not be considered.