Executive Chef

Lawry's; Newport Beach (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading restaurant is seeking an Executive Chef to manage kitchen operations, ensuring high-quality food preparation and staff training. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in fine dining and strong leadership skills to motivate the team. Responsibilities include overseeing food quality, menu planning, and compliance with health regulations. A culinary degree is desirable, and the position offers a competitive salary range of $95,000-$105,000.

Qualifications

• Five years experience in fine dining high volume environment.
• Possession of food certifications as required by local, state and federal law.

Responsibilities

• Manages hiring, training, and development of kitchen staff.
• Oversees food preparation and ensures quality and consistency.
• Communicates daily with staff to create a cohesive team.

Skills

Communication

Organizational Skills

Leadership

Time Management

Education

Culinary Degree

Tools

POS (Micros)

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are looking for an Executive Chef to join our team!

Our Executive Chef manages the hiring, training and developing of all Heart of House co-workers. The Executive Chef oversees the preparation and execution of all dishes, assuring quality, consistency, and competitive creativity. Directs and coordinates all workers engaged in preparing and cooking food for guests and co-workers of the restaurant. Cooks and portions meats, fishes and produce as needed for the forecasted business as well as preparing daily, dishes such as sauces and soups. To ensure that the guest's expectations are consistently exceeded at all times with maximum fiscal responsibility.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Plans for, recruits and interviews kitchen applicants. Provides new co-worker orientation, training and cross training to assure continued development of knowledge and skills.
• Trains HOH co-workers in food production principles and assures that all recipes and food production principles and practices are followed.
• Provides outstanding food presentations consistently, incorporating color, proper flavor pairings, and portion sizes.
• Performs frequent checks to ensure consistent high quality of food preparation and presentation.
• Makes recommendations for menu changes and new recipes; uses the best and freshest ingredients available, including products that are currently in season. Effectively writes recipes and costs out new menu items.
• Communicates daily with all staff individually and in meetings, providing information and support and creating a strong, cohesive team. Earns the respect of the kitchen staff and gains the reputation of an approachable, supportive leader.
• Follows corporate and unit level procedures as well as the executive chef's instructions.
• Complies with all health department regulations and enforces sanitary practices for food handling, general cleanliness and maintenance of kitchen.
• Enforces safe work habits and contributes to the safety first environment in the Heart of the House.
• Coaches and gives instruction to kitchen personnel in the fine points of cooking including proper execution and plating of all dishes.
• Be responsible for any station during service, including any private events

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

• A passion for and knowledge of food and beverage trends is required.
• Broad knowledge of product availability, sourcing, equipment technology, food preparation, and storage techniques is needed.
• Satisfactory physical and mental health to perform the requirements of the job, and to work with the public in compliance with applicable foodservice health and safety regulations.
• Able to perform the essential functions of the assigned position with or without reasonable accommodation, and within company policy.
• Ability to operate kitchen appliances and equipment in a safe manner.
• Possess advanced knife skills
• Able to stand and walk for up to eight (8) hours during a shift (with limited breaks); carry up to 30 lbs. and exert up to 50 lbs. of force without straining; and sustain repetitive motions of legs, feet, waist, back, shoulders, arms, wrists, hands and fingers.
• Must have outstanding communication, organizational and time management skills, including the ability to make sound decisions quickly.
• Must be able to work weekdays, weekends and holidays
• Capable of multi-tasking, leading and communicating with others, able to express and exchange ideas in spoken and written English in an above average manner.
• Basic math proficiency.
• Demonstrate positive supervision and leadership abilities to motivate co-workers to meet and exceed guest service standards.

Experience :

• Good organizational skills for dealing with diverse duties and staff.
• Five years experience in fine dining high volume environment.
• Progressively responsible industry and culinary management experience is required.
• Strong interpersonal skills and communication skills including oral and written skills.
• Commitment to hospitality and service excellence.
• Effective management skills to motivate and develop co-workers.
• Possession of food certifications as required by local, state and federal law.

Licenses / Certifications :

• Current Local / State Food Handler's Training Certifications as required

Computer Skills : Competency in POS (Micros), scheduling software, Microsoft Office and any department-specific systems in use.

Education : Culinary degree is desirable, a combination of practical experience and education would be considered as an alternative.

Salary Range : $95,000-$105,000

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.