Sous Chef

Belmond El Encanto, a luxury hotel, has been meticulously restored to capture all the romance and glamour that endeared it to both the local Santa Barbara community and visitors alike. Ninety-two quintessential, California-styled suites and bungalows dot the lush, terraced grounds featuring seven-acres of gloriously landscaped gardens with sweeping views of Santa Barbara and the Pacific Ocean. Original architectural features have been lovingly restored, including the historic, trellis-lined Arbor and Lily Pond. Modern additions to the expansive outdoor zero-edge pool and a new beautifully appointed boutique spa enhance the journey for today's luxury-seeking guest.

We are seeking a passionate and dynamic Sous Chef to be part of our team. This individual will report to the Executive Chef and utilize his/her culinary and managerial skills to maintain and enhance our guests' satisfaction. In addition, responsibilities will include managing and training kitchen staff, establishing schedules, assessing staff's performance, ordering supplies to stock inventory appropriately, complying with and enforcing sanitation regulations and safety standards, and maintaining a positive and professional approach with coworkers and guests.

Requirements

A sous chef is the second in command in a kitchen, responsible for overseeing day-to-day culinary operations, supervising kitchen staff, ensuring quality standards are met, assisting the executive chef with menu creation, food purchasing, and maintaining proper food storage and sanitation procedures essentially acting as the head chef`s right-hand person in managing the kitchen efficiently.

Key responsibilities of a sous chef:

• Supervising kitchen staff:
  
  

Delegate tasks to line cooks, prep cooks, and other kitchen staff, providing guidance and ensuring smooth operation.

• Menu development:
  
  

Collaborate with the executive chef to create new menu items, price dishes, and adjust menus based on seasonal availability.

• Food preparation:
  
  

Demonstrate strong culinary skills by preparing dishes according to recipes, maintaining quality and consistency.

• Ingredient management:
  
  

Oversee inventory of food supplies, ordering ingredients, and managing food costs.

• Quality control:
  
  

Regularly inspect food quality, ensure proper food handling practices, and maintain sanitation standards in the kitchen.

• Staff training:
  
  

Train new kitchen staff on proper techniques, recipes, and kitchen procedures.

• Cost control:
  
  

Monitor food costs, identify areas for cost reduction, and manage waste.

• Shift management:
  
  

Oversee kitchen operations during assigned shifts, ensuring efficient workflow and timely service.

Required skills for a sous chef:

• Strong culinary skills: Expertise in various cooking techniques, knife skills, and ability to prepare a wide range of dishes
• Leadership abilities: Effectively manage and motivate a team of cooks
• Communication skills: Clearly communicate instructions, address issues, and collaborate with other kitchen staff
• Attention to detail: Maintain high standards for food quality and presentation
• Adaptability: Work under pressure and quickly adjust to changing demands in the kitchen
• Problem-solving skills: Identify and resolve issues that arise during kitchen operations
  
  
  

Benefits

Belmond El Encanto offers a full array of benefits, including medical, dental and vision coverage. In addition, the company pays for basic life and AD&D as well as short term disability. Team members can choose additional coverage to include voluntary life/AD&D, spouse life/AD&D, dependent life, critical care, hospital indemnity, accident and flexible spending.

The Company offers paid time off, sick pay, a 401(k) program with Company matching, and an employee assistance program. Team members enjoy free cafeteria meals and discounts on food and beverage, spa treatments, and retail boutique items.

The Discovering Belmond program offers complimentary accommodation for team members while on leisure travel outside their region at any Belmond hotel and resort. It also offers food and beverage at a discounted rate. In addition to the complimentary offerings, discounted rates are available for safaris, trains and cruises.