Executive Chef

Tiempo Completo

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Culinary Leadership & Standards
• Maintain and elevate the culinary standards that have defined the Club's reputation across its multi-venue dining operation, from formal first-floor dining to more relaxed third-floor service.
• Develop, document, and enforce recipes, preparation techniques, and plating standards that ensure consistent, exceptional quality across all dining venues and events.
• Lead the culinary program for approximately 15 themed holiday dinners in December as well as year-round special events and private parties for up to 375 guests.
• Serve as culinary director for Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin dinners and other high-caliber wine-paired galas, collaborating closely with the sommelier and event teams.
• Oversee breakfast, lunch, and dinner service across formal and more relaxed dining rooms, private event spaces, and room service for 40 overnight suites.

Team Development:

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of 29 full-time culinary professionals and 5-6 on-call prep cooks, fostering a culture of excellence, professionalism, and mutual respect.
• Provide ongoing training, coaching, and professional development opportunities; conduct regular performance evaluations with clear expectations.
• Partner with two Sous Chefs (A.M. & P.M.), Pastry Chef, Chief Steward, and Purchasing Manager to ensure seamless daily operations.
• Maintain a calm, even-tempered leadership presence that sets the tone for the kitchen's culture and ensures staff retention and satisfaction.
• Member Relations and Visibility
• Be a visible, personable, and engaged presence with members - walking dining rooms, attending committee meetings, and participating in special events.
• Build genuine relationships with members: anticipate and respond gracefully to individual preferences, dietary requirements, and special requests.
• Collaborate with the Food & Wine Committee, providing culinary input on menus, seasonal programming, and event concepts.

Menu Development and Innovation:

• Develop seasonal menus that honor the Club's culinary tradition while thoughtfully incorporating contemporary techniques, fresh ingredients, and evolving member tastes.
• Maintain fluency in food and wine pairings: design menus that complement the Club's exceptional wine program and the specific requirements of Burgundy-focused Tastevin events.
• Accommodate a wide range of dietary preferences including gluten-free, organic, and other member-specific requests as a matter of standard practice.

Financial & Operational Management:

• Manage a $2.16M culinary labor budget and oversee food cost to target approximately 47% combined across the 30% a la carte / 70% banquet sales mix.
• Collaborate with the General Manager and Controller on budgeting, financial reporting, purchasing strategy, and cost controls without compromising quality.
• Partner with the Purchasing Manager on vendor relationships, procurement, and inventory management.
• Participate in strategic planning initiatives including upcoming kitchen equipment upgrades and infrastructure improvements.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

• The California Club seeks a chef who leads with quiet confidence and earns admiration through excellence rather than ego. The right individual brings:
• A traditionalist's foundation - classical training and deep respect for technique - combined with the curiosity and creativity to push gastronomic boundaries when appropriate.
• High-production mastery - the proven ability to execute flawless dinners for 200 to 375 guests at an uncompromising standard of quality.
• Private club acumen - an understanding that members are not customers but stakeholders, and that the dining experience is personal, consistent, and relationship-driven.
• Emotional intelligence - the ability to read a room, manage competing demands under pressure, and remain composed and gracious in all circumstances.
• Humility and patience in transition - a genuine willingness to listen, observe, and learn the Club's culture before imposing change.
• Presence and polish - comfortable in formal settings and at ease with a distinguished membership that includes civic, corporate, and cultural leaders.