Executive Chef (Hospitality Sector)

Join a premier South Coast Barbados resort and lead the culinary team in delivering excellence, innovation, and unforgettable dining experiences.

Overview: Our client is a well-respected Beach Club & Hotel Resort based on the South Coast of Barbados. Due to growth, they are seeking to recruit a proven a proven professional to “lead the way” in providing a culinary experience that matches their reputation for customer service and excellence.

The successful applicant will be responsible for assisting with the day-to-day kitchen operation including menu creation, improving, and maintaining quality standards and controlling and maintaining food costs as well as training and developing the kitchen brigade.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Ensure all Food service is executed in keeping with Company Standards, HACCP standards and Health and Safety regulations.
• Estimating the daily production on a weekly basis and communicating production requirements to kitchen personnel daily.
• Manage the day-to-day operations of Kitchen with the support of the supervisory teams.
• Evaluate food for quality control and ensure Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are in place, including check lists, training guides and manuals.
• Update and create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and training guides and manuals as necessary.
• Responsible for overseeing all kitchen operations and preparations.
• Manage the planning, design, and promotion of menus, working closely with the Food and Beverage Manager.
• Design new recipes and select plate presentations.
• Stay current on developing trends in the restaurant industry.
• Standardize food presentations and create decorative food displays.
• Inspect crockery and equipment for food displays and keep up with industry trends.
• Prepare and cook food for in-house guests, staff and private functions.
• Manage kitchen staff including supervisors, cooks and porters.
• Ensure all Food service is of a high standard.
• Participate in meetings regarding the planning of events such as weddings, anniversary parties and other special guest events.
• Prepare requisitions for products needed for meals daily in a timely manner.
• Make recommendations for purchasing to improve and maintain quality of food products.
• Lead in general HR Management within Department: make recommendations on employment, training and development, performance appraisal, scheduling and attendance, time-sheet approval, uniform, and discipline, etc.
• Maintain and monitor food budgets and cost structures and communicate to Food and Beverage Manager and General Manager.
• Review food costs regularly and in keeping with budgetary requirements to contain spoilage, breakage, pilferage, etc.
• Update and maintain department records including but not limited to storage temperatures and daily stock counts.
• Establish and manage a suitable guest feed-back system and educate staff accordingly – interact unobtrusively with guests for direct feedback.
• Always provide excellent customer service.
• Complete proper incident reports.
• Investigate, report, and resolve complaints regarding food quality.
• Conduct regular department meetings and daily shift briefings.
• Conduct employee performance appraisals and provide feedback and advise HR and Food and Beverage on areas for training and development.
• Function as an integral member of the property management team: proactively identify, communicate, and respond to areas requiring improvement.

Desired Skills, Abilities and Qualifications:

• Minimum five (5) years’ proven experience.

• Up to date with food and beverage trends and best practices.

• Ability to manage personnel and meet financial targets.

• Guest-oriented and service-minded.

• Working knowledge of various computer software programs.

• Ability to spot and resolve problems efficiently.

• Communication and leadership skills.

• Team player and able to build and maintain relationships both internal and external.

• Flexible to change and open to constructive feedback.

• Strong organizational planning skills.

• Sound judgment and decision-making skills.