Special Events Chef

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $100,000 to $110,000. Hiring offers will be determined based on the final candidate’s qualifications and experience. The recruiter can share more information about what the anticipated hiring salary would be based upon your specific qualifications during the selection process.

The CIA offers a substantial benefits package that includes medical coverage available at no cost to qualifying employees, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, short and long term disability insurance, retirement savings plan with high employer contributions, a generous paid time off program, and more!

As the benefits package at the CIA results in a significant value above the base hiring salary for this position, we encourage you to apply so that our recruiters can share more information with you about the benefits of working for the CIA.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Special Events Chef is responsible for planning, coordinating and executing all food production and food service for Special Events. This includes but is not limited to conferences, shows, exhibitions, consulting, education, and internal and external events at both the Greystone and Copia locations of the California campus. This position also performs culinary demonstrations and leads hands-on events as required. The Special Events Chef will ensure timely and effective communication and collaboration with their department, events coordinators and other departments within the Culinary Institute of America (CIA). They are responsible for creating, cooking and serving foods of the highest order of culinary excellence, ensuring and delivering a beyond-expectation level of customer satisfaction.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Consults with clients to create and determine menu items with an understanding of seasonality and contemporary food design within a given budget.
• Keeps up to date on Napa Valley food trends, flavors, and preferences, as well as the latest banqueting technology, implementing it where and when it makes sense to do so.
• Builds a department that identifies, harnesses, cultivates, and encourages the unique talents of its members. Maintains a team of sufficient staff, including on-call, part-time and temp-agency staff to handle the fluctuating labor needs of the Special Events culinary team.
• Takes a lead role in identifying new hires, providing orientation and training. Provides leadership and discipline as necessary.
• Ensures Special Events culinary staff (including temporary employees) are impeccably groomed adhering to CIA standards.
• Ensures the Special Events kitchen and workspaces are maintained to CIA standards with the minimum amount of clutter.
• Performs effective and engaging culinary demonstrations that mirror the accepted professional culinary practices and techniques as taught by the CIA. Leads hands-on participation events in an encouraging, thoughtful and entertaining manner.
• Confirms that all food purchases are entered into the food ordering system a minimum of two (2) weeks in advance of when needed to ensure the purchasing department has ample time to acquire the required foodstuffs.
• Ensures all events setup is completed with a minimum of one hour to spare prior to each event and that all events are served on-time with foods at their peak of freshness / palatability.
• Maintains a food and labor cost in accordance with the expectations of the Senior Director – Food & Beverage Operations.
• Builds prep lists that are consistent, easy to follow, understandable and that result in superior craftsmanship.
• Communicates effectively and efficiently with planners, sales, banquet house staff and managers.
• Ensures that all equipment and tools are available and in excellent condition including china, glass and silver, cooking utensils, equipment, and supplies.
• Ensures that all food served has been checked for flavor, seasoning and temperature of the highest standard and on appropriate temperature and china.
• Supervises the organization and plate-up of foods to ensure the shortest possible delivery time of foods to guests.
• Studies and becomes deeply educated and proficient in preparing the cuisines of the Mediterranean Basin, Southeast Asia, America and Latin America.
• Ensures that dietary requirements and restrictions are noted for every event, and that alternate foods of a similar high standard are prepared and served as and when necessary.
• Educates and ensures all culinary and pastry staff practice and adhere to proper food handling and food safety.
• Any and all other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education :

Experience :

Licenses / Certifications :

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED SKILLS

WORKING CONDITIONS

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.