Overview

Position Title: Travel Sous Chef

Reports To: Executive Chef

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Location: San Diego

Full-Time

Please Note: no relocation assistance is on offer; local candidates will be considered

Qualified candidates will be scheduled for paid cooking trials

SUMMARY

The Travel Sous Chef serves as an extension of our client’s culinary team based out of the San Diego property, assisting in culinary operations and working in close collaboration with property staff, interiors, other teams, and business partners. The Travel Sous Chef role will travel (up to 50%) to various locations to provide on-site support to the culinary team for all meal preparation for Principal, extended family, and guests.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Demonstrate and apply broad knowledge of culinary concepts, practices and procedures, cooking styles/cuisines, relying on extensive experience and judgement to plan and produce food 
• Understanding of wine and food pairing
• Possess and adapt excellent presentation and hospitality skills to the appropriate level for the occasion 
• Adhere to all food safety and health regulations while maintaining highest standards of sanitation, cleanliness, storage, and safety throughout all kitchens 
• Effectively communicate regular, accurate, and timely information flow between culinary team, estate managers, teams, interiors, and other business partners as appropriate 
• Collaborate extensively with internal and external subject matter experts to achieve desired outcomes based on Principal preferences and new requests 
• Perform administrative tasks and follow defined business guidelines, practices, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) in a timely and accurate manner 
• Assist in maintaining a recipe database
• Assist in menu direction and design, aligned with Principal’s and family’s food profiles in partnership with Executive Chef and other Chefs 
• Keep accurate food inventories and ensure timely stock rotation 
• Oversee and procure all food and beverage inventory as is needed for daily kitchen operations and menus, collaborating with property staff on food and beverage needs for multiple locations 
• Pack food for travel (e.g., private aviation, yachts, hotels, other private properties)
• Maintain, update, and communicate associated preferences, dietary restrictions, and other relevant culinary lists for Principal, extended family, and guests to relevant departments and teams 
• Undertake special projects and event support roles as assigned by Executive Chef or Head Chef 
• Travel for extended periods to satellite properties and other locations for both regular and ad hoc basis to provide culinary services for family when in residence as requested by Principal and/or Executive Chef; Supports all culinary planning, provisioning, menu writing, kitchen operations, execution of all meals and post visit responsibilities
• Support Chefs for meal services and provide service support with servers as needed
• Assist Head Chef with supervising and training culinary support employees and vendors
• Create and prepare meals/foods/snacks for 1-20 people and occasionally for larger gatherings 
• Procure all food items while partnering with property teams for procurement of bulk and routinely purchased food and beverage inventories 
• Develop and maintain appropriate stock rotation (perishable and non-perishable) 
• Maintain all culinary working and storage areas to highest standards and ensure correct preventative maintenance, in partnership with facilities where needed 
• Assist with budgetary planning and financial reporting, serving as an exemplary steward of financial resources 
• Develop new recipes for baked items, smoothies, cocktails/mocktails, dessert, and menu concepts
• Provide support and coverage for Head Chef in their absence
• Travel domestically or internationally for educational purposes brining new ideas to the table
• Provide on-call support based on business need during assigned on-call periods
• Perform other job-related functions as assigned

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or behavior required to be successful in this role.

• Self-directed individual with initiative
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a prominent level of attention to detail, accuracy in work product, and focus on service
• Ability to be a strategic thought partner while effectively executing tactical operations
• Analytical and critical thinking skills including the ability to synthesize diverse information and make clear recommendations
• High integrity and sound judgment in decision-making
• Project management and execution skills
• Ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with leaders and employees at all levels of the organization
• Ability to perform well under pressure and maintain a positive, cooperative, and professional attitude under a variety of circumstances and time-sensitive situations
• Ability to actively listen and work with others openly and transparently to create an environment where diverse viewpoints are valued and information is shared for the purposes of solving problems and achieving collective goals
• Impeccable integrity and discretion with confidential matters and sensitive information
• Ability to have fun at work alongside caring, warm, and friendly colleagues
• Ability to offer creative solutions when faced with challenges, think through alternatives, implement the best course of action, and work toward effective solutions
• Ability to work very well independently and collaborate with diverse teams of individuals as the situation requires
• Ability to interact, share, and receive information and feedback in a way that builds trust and gains the confidence of others
• Ability to effectively influence change
• Ability to be open, adaptable and flexible to accommodate shorter notice travel needs or changes as well as travel for extended periods to best support culinary operations
•  Ability to perform administrative tasks and follow defined business guidelines, practices and standard operating procedures (SOPs) in a timely and accurate manner
• Ability to continuously monitor and respond to incoming communications during meal service operations
• Ability to provide a superior level of customer service
• Sense of taste and smell
• Ability to maintain professional appearance especially when in contact with Principal 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 8 years of experience in an upscale fine dining restaurant or private members-only club environment
• Experience working with high-net-worth private family residence would be a bonus
• Minimum 4 years of experience supervising a culinary team
• Experience managing a kitchen in an organized, efficient manner with a high level of accuracy, consistency, attention to detail, and follow-through
• Valid driver’s license with a safe driving record
• Basic patisserie, plated dessert, and bread baking experience
• Proficiency in butchering of meats, poultry, and seafood
• US Passport or other equivalent documents to travel domestically and internationally 
• Must have excellent employment references and be willing to undergo an intensive background investigation
• Must be COVID-19 vaccinated

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• California Food Handler Card
• Proficiency in preparation of gluten-free foods
• Experience cooking for specialty diets

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will move around physically (e.g., climb, balance, crouch, squat, kneel, stoop, crawl, run); work with heavy objects, exerting up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. 

Compensation:

• $50.38 - $52.45 per hour (40 work hours per week guaranteed)
• Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, disability and long-term care insurance, fertility benefit, backup caregiving solution, 144 hours of vacation, 96 hours of sick leave, 401k, HSA, FSA, annual target performance bonus and more.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Our client values diversity and is strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all employees and all applicants seeking employment. All employment decisions are based on the candidate’s or employee’s capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, age, national origin, citizenship, veteran, military, or marital status, sensory, physical, or mental disability, genetic information or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable law