Chef Specialty Restaurant

About the Role

Le Meridien is seeking a Chef-Specialty Restaurant to oversee the quality, consistency, and production within the specialty restaurant kitchen. This full-time role involves leading kitchen staff, managing food-related functions, and ensuring high standards of guest and employee satisfaction while adhering to operational budgets. The Chef will be responsible for maintaining sanitation and food quality standards and developing the kitchen team.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise specialty restaurant kitchen shift operations, ensuring compliance with all Food & Beverage policies, standards, and procedures.
• Develop, design, and create new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions for the specialty restaurant.
• Maintain proper food preparation, handling, and storage standards.
• Plan and manage food quantities and plating requirements, communicating production needs to key personnel.
• Assist in developing daily and seasonal menu items for the specialty restaurant.
• Prepare and cook various types of food, checking the quality of raw and cooked products to meet standards.
• Determine food presentation methods and create decorative food displays.
• Supervise and coordinate activities of cooks and other food preparation staff.
• Lead shift teams, personally preparing food items and executing requests based on specifications.
• Manage day-to-day operations, ensuring quality, standards, and customer expectations are met.
• Improve service by guiding staff to understand guest needs and providing coaching.
• Handle guest problems and complaints, interacting with guests to obtain feedback on product quality and service levels.

Leadership and Team Development

• Utilize interpersonal and communication skills to lead, influence, and encourage staff, advocating sound financial/business decision-making.
• Supervise and manage specialty restaurant kitchen employees, understanding their positions to perform duties in their absence.
• Encourage mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members, serving as a role model for appropriate behaviors.
• Ensure and maintain employee productivity levels, cross-training staff for successful daily operations.
• Establish and maintain open, collaborative relationships with employees.
• Set and support the achievement of kitchen goals, including performance, budget, and team objectives.
• Identify developmental needs of others and provide coaching, mentoring, or assistance to improve knowledge and skills.
• Participate in training specialty restaurant staff on menu items, including ingredients, preparation methods, and unique tastes.
• Manage employee progressive discipline procedures and participate in performance appraisals.

Operational and Financial Management

• Develop specific guidance and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish daily kitchen operations.
• Understand the impact of kitchen operations on overall property financial goals and objectives, managing to achieve or exceed budgeted goals.
• Effectively investigate, report, and follow up on employee accidents, implementing company safety standards.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Qualifications and Experience

• 2-5 years of relevant experience in a culinary role, preferably within a specialty restaurant setting.
• Demonstrated culinary talents and leadership abilities.
• Strong understanding of food preparation, handling, and storage standards.
• Ability to manage budgets and operational goals.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

About Le Meridien

Le Meridien, part of the Marriott International portfolio of brands, draws inspiration from the era of glamorous travel, celebrating cultures through a distinct European spirit. The brand focuses on providing authentic, chic, and memorable service and experiences that encourage guests to savor their destination. Le Meridien values curious and creative individuals who appreciate connecting with like-minded guests and are dedicated to creating memorable experiences. Marriott International is an equal opportunity employer committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis.