Executive Chef - Resort Culinary

Northwood Hospitality LLC; Islamorada (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Employee discounts

FSA/HSA options

Bass Pro Shops discount

Job summary

Cheeca Lodge & Spa, a premier luxury resort in Islamorada, FL, seeks an innovative and organized Executive Chef to lead our kitchen team. This role requires a strong leader with a passion for culinary excellence, team empowerment, and guest satisfaction.

You will collaborate with the Director of F&B to design menus, control costs, and uphold five-diamond standards while mentoring staff, ensuring safety, sanitation, and high-quality presentations across all outlets.

Qualifications

• High school diploma and culinary degree required; college degree preferred.
• Proven experience in a 5-star/5-diamond establishment.
• Strong leadership, excellent communication and organizational skills.
• In-depth knowledge of culinary trends, techniques and business management.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate on menu design to control costs and maximize profits.
• Lead and develop kitchen staff; recruit, train, evaluate.
• Monitor safety, sanitation, and high quality food prep.
• Oversee mise en place and purchasing of quality produce.
• Manage labor, budgeting, and inventory.
• Support events with sales and coordination.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Decision making

Culinary trends

Business management

Education

Culinary degree

High school diploma

College degree (preferred)

Job description

Job Description

Executive Chef at Cheeca Lodge & Spa: Lead Our Culinary Excellence

Join Our Culinary Leadership Team: Cheeca Lodge & Spa, a premier luxury resort in Islamorada, FL, seeks an innovative and organized Executive Chef to lead our kitchen team. This role requires a strong leader with a passion for culinary excellence, team empowerment, and guest satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

Vision and Strategy

• Collaborate with the Director of F&B to design menus to control costs, maximize profits, and provide unique culinary experiences.
• Establish the resort restaurant’s competitive market position.
• Analyze monthly performance, identify issues, and implement corrective actions.
• Act as an ambassador for Cheeca, participating in special events and maintaining a high profile.
• Stay current with industry trends and implement beneficial suggestions.
• Attend meetings and training courses to continually improve professional skills.
• Enforce the highest standards of safety, sanitation, hygiene, and food preparation according to State Board of Health.

Guest Management

• Ensure guest satisfaction with high-quality and beautifully presented menu items.
• Regularly engage with dining patrons and review guest feedback.
• Train wait staff on menu details.

Staff Management

• Recruit, hire, train, evaluate, and manage kitchen staff following resort policies.
• Conduct disciplinary actions and team briefings.
• Coach staff to reinforce positive behavior and improve performance.
• Conduct performance evaluations and develop staff improvement plans.
• Maintain a productive relationship with Human Resources.

Culinary Management/Production

• Supervise food production to meet cultural and core standards.
• Coordinate with the sales department for upcoming events.
• Ensure proper preparation, presentation, and sanitation of all food items.
• Manage kitchen mise en place and effective purchasing of quality produce.
• Ensure accurate delivery and storage of fresh food, dry goods, and cleaning materials.

Financial Management

• Control labor and operating expenses through effective scheduling, budgeting, and inventory control.
• Maintain quality and portion consistency; monitor food shipments to meet purchasing specifications.
• Train staff on the economic impact of portion controls and proper food preparation.

Other Duties

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma and culinary degree required; college degree preferred.
• Proven experience in a 5-star/5-diamond establishment.
• Strong leadership experience.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• In-depth knowledge of culinary trends, techniques, and business management.

Benefits Include

• Bass Pro Shops 50% Discount Card
• 401(k) with employer matching.
• Dental, health, and vision insurance.
• Employee discounts.
• Flexible spending and health savings accounts.
• Life insurance.
• Paid time off.

Why Join Cheeca Lodge & Spa: As an Executive Chef at Cheeca Lodge & Spa, you will lead a talented team in a renowned luxury setting. This role offers the opportunity to innovate and elevate our culinary offerings while fostering a collaborative and high-performance kitchen environment. Join us to create exceptional dining experiences and drive culinary excellence.

Source: Northwood Hospitality