Photo of Cheeca Lodge and Spa, Islamorada, FL

Executive Sous Chef

Cheeca Lodge and Spa

81801 Overseas Highway
Islamorada, FL 33036

214 Room Hotel
Gestionado Por Northwood Hospitality
Ahorrar

Compensation: N/A, Tiempo Completo

Job Description

If you are passionate about delivering exceptional experiences and want to contribute to the legacy of a resort that's a destination in its own right - we invite you to join us in shaping the next chapter of Cheeca Lodge.

Job Summary: Join our culinary team at Cheeca Lodge & Spa, a culinary haven recently lauded by Florida Trend Magazine as one of "Florida's Best Places To Dine." As Executive Sous Chef, you will be instrumental in menu creation and food preparation, managing our diverse and acclaimed dining outlets. This role combines overseeing daily kitchen operations with working alongside the management team to enhance sales and business growth. We seek a professional with strong communication, leadership skills, and a commitment to maintaining the highest culinary standards.

Key Qualifications:

  • At least 6+ years of culinary management experience in a fine dining or upscale hotel setting.
  • Passion for hospitality and fine cuisine, with initiative and dedication.
  • Ability to work under pressure, demonstrating strong organizational and leadership skills.
  • Flexibility, motivation, and availability for extended work hours as needed.

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Lead and innovate in menu planning and execution across our renowned restaurants: Atlantic’s Edge, Nikai, Mia Cucina, Tiki Bar, and 25 South, each offering unique culinary experiences from local fare to international cuisine.
  • Supervise and manage the performance of all kitchen staff to ensure exceptional culinary experiences.
  • Direct food production for restaurant, catering, and commissary operations.
  • Collaborate in budget management, forecasting revenues, and controlling operational costs.
  • Uphold strict food quality and safety standards while managing food costs effectively.
  • Handle scheduling and oversee comprehensive kitchen operations.
  • Recruit, train, and mentor kitchen staff, ensuring high standards and regulatory compliance.
  • Ensure kitchen cleanliness and adherence to health regulations.
  • Lead by example, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.

Desired Skills and Experience:

  • Background in diverse culinary styles, including farm-to-table and modern techniques.
  • Experience in high-volume, fast-paced environments.
  • Exceptional organizational, communication, and team-building skills.
  • Knowledge in food cost management and vendor relations.
  • Culinary degree or similar educational background is a plus.
  • Fluency in English with strong reading, writing, and speaking skills.
  • Flexible schedule with consistent and reliable attendance.

Benefits Include:

  • 401(k) with employer matching.
  • Employer Paid Short Term And Long Term Disability Insurance
  • AD&D insurance.
  • Dental, health, and vision insurance.
  • Employee discounts.
  • Flexible spending and health savings accounts.
  • Life insurance.
  • Paid time off.

This full-time role demands physical and mental resilience to meet the challenges of a dynamic kitchen. We offer an opportunity to be part of a team that values culinary artistry and innovation in one of the most celebrated hospitality destinations in the Florida Keys.

Publicado 20 De Junio De 2024

Cheeca Lodge and Spa

WELCOME TO CHEECA

A Legendary Tropical Hideaway

Since 1946 the historic Cheeca Lodge & Spa has enchanted guests with world-class fishing, exceptional accommodations, and gracious hospitality. Come experience this lush oceanfront retreat, considered the premier luxury resort in the Florida Keys.

The Legend of Our Grand Florida Keys Hotel Resort

You've found it...the crown jewel of Islamorada Florida Keys hotels. 

Hardy Keys pioneers called Conchs chose this very beach to carve out a tenacious living in the isolated beauty of the undiscovered Florida Keys. Here, they formed a Methodist congregation and built a two-room school house and a cemetery. Cheeca has preserved this Pioneer Cemetery, where members of the founding families of Islamorada are buried. You can explore it today; it is a designated historical site. The Angel with the Broken Wing watches over the grave of Etta Pinder, who died in 1914. Here lies the first footprint of Islamorada – "Purple Isle" in Spanish.

The early 1940's brought electricity and fresh water. Mrs. Clara Mae Downey from Olney, Maryland, opened the Olney Inn in 1946. She described this early bellwether of Cheeca as "different – rather comparable to the tropical estate of a gifted host." Clara's first guest was President Harry Truman, who cherished his time loafing around the pool and wondering amidst the resort's 22 quaint bungalows. 

Fast horses, high society and a healthy dose of Keys vivacity marked the reign of the Twitchell Family in the 1960's. Cynthia, better known as "Chee," was an heiress to the A&P grocery chain and owner of a top thoroughbred racing farm. "We took my nickname, combined it with my husband Carl's, and came up with "Cheeca," she recalled. The Twitchells completely refurbished the property, adding the main lodge, the oceanfront villas, tennis courts, golf course and Cheeca's trademark wooden fishing pier. Chee raised miniature tarpon and her beloved seahorses in the aquariums throughout the resort. "Suzy the Seahorse" became Cheeca's mascot and logo, gracing the resort's menus, brochures, towels and linens.

Avid outdoorsman and Coca Cola magnate Carl Navarre purchased Cheeca Lodge in 1976, hosting his Fortune 500 friends in for sunny days of sportfishing and golf. Celebrities flocked to the hotel and famous guests were reeling in giant bonefish right off the resort's pier. The "Sportfishing Capital of the World" was born, seducing wealthy adventurers from around the world.

In 2005, Cheeca Lodge underwent over $30 million dollars in renovations, restoring the property and its surrounding grounds to their original grandeur, ensuring that we will be a cherished destination for generations to come. Following a fire on New Year's Eve 2008, the Main Lodge was completely rebuilt once again, with a fabulous open-air lobby, a spectacular oceanfront banquet room with panoramic views, and an exclusive indoor / outdoor lounge area for club members.