Plank House Restaurant Chef

Ko-Kwel Casino Resort Coos Bay; North Bend (OR); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care benefit

Time off policy

401-K with 4% company match

Job summary

Ko-Kwel Casino Resort is seeking a seasoned Chef de Cuisine to lead the Plank House kitchen. You will oversee food production across three dining concepts, mentor a tal­ented team, and collaborate with the Executive and Sous Chefs on menus and cost control.

The role emphasizes safety, quality, and regional flavors, with opportunities to influence daily features and seasonal updates in a coastal Oregon setting.

Qualifications

• Five or more years in upscale or high-volume restaurants with at least a year leading a team.
• Proven expertise in classic techniques with global flavor curiosity.
• Ability to mentor and develop Tribal Member employees per policy.

Responsibilities

• Lead food production across three dining areas with focus on quality, consistency, and timeliness.
• Develop menus, daily features, and seasonal updates with Executive Chef.
• Train staff on recipe execution, portioning, and plating while modeling efficiency.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Menu development

Cost control

Kitchen management

Staff training

Education

Formal culinary training

Tools

Serve Safe certification

Job description

At Ko-Kwel Casino Resort, we know the best experiences start with a warm welcome. Whether you're arriving for a relaxing getaway or clocking in for your shift. Here, hospitality is personal, teamwork is real, and people genuinely look out for one another. When you join our team, you're stepping into a workplace where you can learn, grow, and take pride in creating memorable moments across the entire property. We bring energy, heart, and professionalism to everything we do, by building not only unforgettable guest experiences, but a workplace we're proud to call our own.

Be part of a team that's shaping one of the premier destinations for gaming and hospitality. A place where guests and team members alike feel right at home on Oregon's beautiful southern coast and beyond.

Why this job matters

At the Plank House, food isn't just fuel - it's a way of welcoming, celebrating, and creating connection. The Plank House Chef carries the heart of this vision, leading a team that delivers three distinct dining experiences: the refined elegance of our dining room, the intimate exploration of our spirits tasting room, and the lively comfort of our casual upstairs space. Every plate, every pairing, and every guest interaction is an opportunity to share the story of our region, our spirits, and our community.

What you bring to the table

• Make sure the space stays safe, clean, and friendly for both guests and the rest of the team; speak up and report any safety concerns to the Safety Committee.
• Lead food production across all three dining areas with a focus on quality, consistency, and timeliness.
• Work side by side with your team on the line, especially during busy services and special events.
• Build schedules that set the team up for success and balance the needs of the business.
• Treat your team with fairness and respect, cultivating teamwork and high morale.
• Provide coaching, feedback, and performance evaluations that help employees grow.
• Ensure every dish leaving the kitchen meets Plank House's standards for flavor and presentation.
• Maintain the right stock levels so service flows smoothly without interruption.
• Collaborate with the Pastry/Bakery team to deliver beautiful desserts and specialty items.
• Work with the Executive Chef to develop menus, daily features, and seasonal updates.
• Partner with the Sous Chef to manage food costs and production targets.
• Train staff on recipe execution, portioning, and plating while modeling efficiency and skill.
• Uphold the highest standards of food safety and sanitation.
• Mentor Tribal Member employees in line with KKC's Tribal Member Preference practices.
• Jump in where needed to support the team and keep things running smoothly. (Other duties as assigned)

Must-haves, nice-to-haves, and maybe some bonus points

• A strong background - five or more years in upscale or high-volume restaurants, with at least a year leading a team.
• Formal culinary training, or the kind of proven expertise that comes from years of dedication in the kitchen.
• Experience guiding teams of 10 or more people with confidence and fairness.
• Deep knowledge of classic techniques, paired with curiosity for global flavors and contemporary approaches.
• A knack for menu development, cost control, and kitchen management.
• Current or attainable Serve Safe certification.
• The ability to meet the licensing and background requirements and follow our drug-free workplace policies.
• Bonus if you've blended spirits into fine dining before or created pairing experiences that tell a story.
• Extra points if you love weaving regional ingredients into your cooking in fresh, creative ways.
• A big win if you're passionate about mentoring Tribal Member employees and helping them grow in their culinary journey.
• Friendly and approachable attitude that helps guests (and the team) feel welcome and cared for every day.
• Comfortable communicating clearly and positively with both guests and teammates.
• Must pass and remain in compliance with Coquille Gaming Commission background check and drug free workplace policies.

Physical stuff to know

We've included the typical physical parts of the job here. If you need an accommodation to do the work, just let us know-we're here to support you.This is a hands-on, active role. Expect to be on your feet for long stretches, lifting up to 50 lbs., and working weekends, evenings, and holidays. The pace can be demanding, and the environment may include exposure to secondhand smoke. You'll need to stay steady under pressure, making thoughtful decisions and leading calmly even in stressful or difficult moments.This is a quick summary of the main duties and requirements-it might not cover everything you could be asked to do.

Ko-Kwel Casino Resort is owned by the Coquille Indian Tribe. Team members are eligible for a comprehensive health care benefit, generous time off policy, 401-K retirement with 4% company match and other benefits.