Executive Chef - The Embers Hotel

Hay Creek Hotels; Blowing Rock (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance Benefit package

Competitive Salary/Wages

Paid Time Off (vacation, sick, holiday

Complimentary Meals Daily

Free Parking

Lodging Discounts

Employee discounts at properties

Job summary

The Embers Hotel in Blowing Rock, NC, managed by Hay Creek Hotels, is seeking an Executive Chef to lead the culinary team. You will design creative menus, standardize recipes, and manage inventory, costing, and staff training to ensure high-quality, timely service for guests and events.

Responsibilities include supervising kitchen staff, controlling budgets, coordinating with suppliers, and overseeing holiday operations.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• 5+ years of Executive Chef/Culinary Management experience in a high volume, full service restaurant.
• Previous staff management experience.
• Experience in Banquet/Catering execution.
• Creative, innovative, and ability to develop new menu items for appropriate clientele.
• Demonstrates a positive, customer-focused attitude.

Responsibilities

• Design creative, cost-appropriate menu items and collaborate with Sales for event menus.
• Standardize production recipes and train staff on execution and presentation.
• Oversee food rotation, inventory, par levels, ordering and receiving.
• Train staff on proper timing of foods and ensure quality.
• Coordinate with suppliers and local purveyors to maintain stock and costs.
• Lead holiday culinary operations and promote promotions and goals.
• Supervise kitchen personnel and manage hiring, discipline, reviews, and wages.

Skills

Staff management

Menu development

Cost control

Leadership

High-volume kitchen operations

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Job description

Executive Chef

Job Description

The Embers Hotel is actively searching for a creative, innovative, and motivated Executive Chef to join our Culinary team! Tucked in the quaint mountain town of Blowing Rock, North Carolina, The Embers Hotel offers 36 guest rooms and suites with full-service restaurant and al fresco dining patio. Managed by Hay Creek Hotels, this boutique location embodies a fireside retreat with 4-star service in an approachable, natural setting.

Job Summary

• Design creative, cost appropriate menu items based on market segments. Work closely with Sales team to develop event menu packages.
• Standardize production recipes to ensure consistent quality. Select and develop corresponding recipes and educate staff on appropriate execution and presentation of all dishes.
• Assume responsibility for food rotation, inventory management, par levels, and ordering/receiving.
• Responsible for practicing and training for proper timing of foods.
• Work closely with suppliers to ensure that all items needed are in stock for the menu. Research local purveyors and costing.
• Advanced knowledge of culinary field concepts and procedures. Expected continued interest in new concepts, cooking methods, and promotions.
• Estimate food consumption, place all food inventory orders, and code invoice billing accordingly.
• Develop and practice a training manual for all new hires and ongoing training. Ensure all employees are fully trained and have completed department orientation, training schedule, and skills/knowledge test before independently performing.
• Establish presentation technique and quality standards. Work with Brand Manager and Sales to promote food photos, articles, and culinary competitions/promotions.
• Lead and manage all holiday culinary operations, with a focus on prompt, consistent delivery of quality food items. Participate in constructive development of all holiday promotions and operational goals.
• Supervises kitchen personnel with responsibility for training, hiring, discipline, performance reviews, and wages.
• Responsible for strictly monitoring and staying within specified budget.
• Oversee inventory of stations, control quality of food, avoid waste, and ensure proper rotation and utilization.
• Monitor and approve overtime, submit confirmation of payroll for kitchen staff.
• Coordinate with F&B Director on kitchen workflow and expediting to ensure a smooth-running operation.
• Monitor employee's performance and issues and administer progressive discipline when necessary.
• Handle all necessary paperwork related to this position (discipline reports, administering forms to employees, evaluations, rate changes, payroll, etc.)
• Code all invoices, log cost of goods, and follow appropriate accounting procedures to communicate expenses.
• Regularly work as a culinary team member, such as working grill station or saut station.

Required Experience

• High School diploma or equivalent
• 5+ years of recent Executive Chef/Culinary Management experience in a high volume, full service restaurant
• Previous staff management experience
• Experience in Banquet/Catering execution
• Creative, innovative, and inspired to develop new and intriguing menu items designed for appropriate clientele
• Demonstrate a positive, upbeat and customer-focused attitude
• Experience in inventory control and cost management preferred
• Flexibility to work nights or mornings, weekends, holidays, and high demand days

Benefits

Hay Creek offers an extensive benefit and incentive package, including;

• Insurance Benefit package, to include Company-funded Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability, Accident, and Critical Illness.
• Competitive Salary/Wages
• Competitive Paid Time Off Structure including Vacation, Sick, Holiday Pay, Jury Duty Leave, and Bereavement Leave.
• Standard Annual Performance/Salary Reviews
• Merit and Cost of Living Adjustments
• Complimentary Meals Daily
• Free Parking
• Employee and Friends & Family Lodging Discounts as low as forty-nine dollars per night at all HCH Properties.
• 50% Discount when Dining at any HCH Property.
• Industry Discounts through Working Advantage (Entertainment Tickets, Hotels, Rental Cars, Outdoor Activities, Restaurants, etc.).
• Discounts at each of our Spas, Golf Courses, Fitness rooms/programs and other featured amenities.
• Supportive, open-door policy work environment.
• Work Culture that is fun, energetic and motivating.
• Employee Recognition Program - 'Delight and Surprise Dollars'

About Hay Creek Hotels

Founded in 2005, Hay Creek Hotels was created specifically to combine the intimacy of a boutique hotel with world-class cuisine, cutting-edge technology, unparalleled guest service and the exclusive amenities of a luxury inn. At Hay Creek Hotels, our passion is to pioneer superior service and inspire excitement within the small, independent hotel sector: to "Delight & Surprise" our guests every day. These values are driven by the idea that the best hotels and restaurants are the ones that draw on the spirit, culture and character of their locales. From meticulously renovated historic properties to exciting new-build hotels, we offer some of the most unique and interesting lodging and dining destinations in the United States. Our hotels and resorts are designed to reflect their respective neighborhoods and serve as good neighbors by participating in community events and causes. Through environmentally responsible design and day-to-day management, we adhere to best practices for sustainable operations at every location.

Bringing a hyper-local focus to the hotel dining experience, the restaurants in the Hay Creek Hotels collection form deep connections with respected local farms and providers. Our chefs seamlessly integrate their regions’ finest meats, seafood and produce with contemporary cooking styles and flavors. Each Hay Creek restaurant is distinguished by sophisticated yet casual ambiance and cuisine that delivers both comfort and surprise with each bite. We are not the average box hotel, and this is not the average dining experience. Dishes are created each night with the perfect balance of texture, flavor, and presentation. Farm-to-table food brings sensational seasonal menus with creative twists on old classics.

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