Executive Chef

Description

Waldorf Astoria is looking for an Executive Chef to oversee this gorgeous Chicago property! This is an exciting time to join the team as the hotel is going through a full renovation to include the re-concepting of the food and beverage outlets.

Located one block from Chicago’s Magnificent Mile in the stylish Gold Coast neighborhood, this 60 story award winning hotel has 215 rooms, over 8,000 square feet of meeting space, and 4 food and beverage outlets. This includes a restaurant, 2 bars, and in-room dining.

In this role, you will report to the General Manager of the hotel and oversee a team of up to 75 across banquets, in-room dining, and the restaurants. The ideal candidate will have prior Executive Sous Chef or Executive Chef experience in a luxury background with a passion for leading others and a talent for innovation and team building. This is an amazing opportunity for a experienced, skilled culinarian looking for that next step in their luxury hotel/fine dining career!

For more information on the property, please visit:

• Waldorf Astoria Chicago (waldorfastoriachicagohotel.com)
• Waldorf Astoria Chicago (@wachicago)
• Instagram

What will I be doing?

As Executive Chef, you are fully responsible for developing the reputation of the hotel through the production of excellent quality food throughout the hotel, and the development of a high quality kitchen brigade. An Executive Chef will oversee the operational management of the kitchen and Team Members. Specifically, an Executive Chef will perform the following tasks to the highest standards:

• Lead of the kitchen brigade and ensure ongoing development of Team Members
• Identify an effective approach to succession planning
• Create menus that meet and exceed customers' needs and conform to brand standards
• Ensure the consistent production of high quality food through all hotel food outlets
• Develop positive customer relations through proactive interaction with Guests, Team Members, contractors, and suppliers
• Resolve, promptly and completely, any issues that may arise in the kitchen or related areas among Guests and Team Members
• Manage department operations, including budgeting, forecasting, resource planning, and waste management
•  Manage all aspects of the kitchen including operational, quality and administrative functions
• Actively seek verbal feedback from customers on a regular basis and respond to all guest queries in a timely and efficient manner
• Ensuring adequate resources are available according to business needs
• Manage the provision of food to Food and Beverage outlets and taking action where necessary to ensure compliance with current legislation
• Control costs without compromising standards, improving gross profit margins and other departmental and financial targets
• Ensure team members have an up-to-date knowledge of menu items, special promotions, functions and events
• Maintain good communication and work relationships in all hotel areas
• Ensure that staffing levels are maintained to cover business demands
• Ensure monthly communication meetings are conducted and post-meeting minutes generated
• Manage staff performance issues in compliance with company policies and procedures
• Recruit, manage, train and develop the kitchen team
• Comply with hotel security, fire regulations and all health and safety and food safety legislation
• Ensure maintenance, hygiene and hazard issues are dealt with in a timely manner
• Manage financial performance of the department so all planning is in line with hotel objectives
• Manage food control systems are adhered to them  so margins are on target in a pro-active way
• Regular review of all menus with Food and Beverage manager to confirm offerings are in line with market trends
• Be environmentally aware
• Ensure food wastage program is adhered to so that margins are on target
• Responsible for ensuring that the monthly working schedules are made and maintained in accordance with local legislation

Requirements

What are we looking for?

Since being founded in 1919, Hilton has been a leader in the hospitality industry. Today, Hilton remains a beacon of innovation, quality, and success. This continued leadership is the result of our Team Members staying true to our Vision, Mission, and Values. Specifically, we look for demonstration of these Values:

• Hospitality - We're passionate about delivering exceptional guest experiences.
• Integrity - We do the right thing, all the time.
• Leadership - We're leaders in our industry and in our communities.
• Teamwork - We're team players in everything we do.
• Ownership - We're the owners of our actions and decisions.
• Now - We operate with a sense of urgency and discipline

In addition, we look for the demonstration of the following key attributes:

• Quality
• Productivity
• Dependability
• Customer Focus
• Adaptability

What will it be like to work for Hilton?

Hilton is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For nearly a century, Hilton has offered business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. Hilton is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands.  Our vision “to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality” unites us as a team to create remarkable hospitality experiences around the world every day.  And, our amazing Team Members are at the heart of it all!

The Benefits – Hilton is proud to have an award-winning workplace culture ranking #1 Best Company To Work For in the U.S. and #1 Best Workplaces for Women List - 5th Year In a Row.

We support the mental and physical wellbeing of all Team Members so they can Thrive personally and professionally in a diverse and inclusive environment, thanks to innovative programs and benefits such as:

• Access to your pay when you need it through DailyPay
• Health insurance
• Career growth and development
• Team Member Resource Groups
• Recognition and rewards programs
• Go Hilton travel discount program
• Best-in-Class Paid Time Off (PTO) 
• Supportive parental leave
• Employee stock purchase program (ESPP) - purchase Hilton shares at 15% discount
• Debt-free education: Access to a wide variety of educational credentials (ex. college degrees, high school completion, English-language learning, digital literacy, professional certificates and more)