Chef- San Diego Zoo

Chef- San Diego Zoo2920 Zoo Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, USA Req #1311

Monday, August 2, 2021

Are you inspired to be a part of an organization committed to protecting wildlife around the globe? San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a mission-based, non-profit wildlife conservation organization with two world famous front doors where we unite our passion for wildlife, expertise in wildlife care, and conservation science to save species from the brink of extinction. Our commitment is to provide visits to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park as opportunities to learn about and engage with best-in-class conservation work, and how that work is changing outcomes for wildlife everyday. HOW YOU WILL IMPACT OUR MISSION
The Chef is responsible for all assigned kitchen operations and providing primary assistance to the Executive Chef in planning food production, supervising staff and bringing our food to the next level by focusing on relationships with vendors, purchasing locally and fresh whenever possible. The Chef must have a passion for food, be creative, want to bring new ideas and a vision to the Culinary Department to do better and strive for better each and every day. The Chef will need to be adaptable to work in a variety of areas (Albert's restaurant, banquets/catering, our commissary kitchen and our other stands/quick service restaurants) located throughout the Zoo. The Chef coordinates, plans and supervises the production, plating, presentation and execution of the food at in Albert's Restaurant and for all Banquets/Catering and potentially in the Commissary Kitchen for our food going out to the stands/quick service restaurants in the Zoo. The Chef executes special dinners and special events in a high-end but cost effective, safe manner to exceed customer expectations and attract future business. This positions reports to the Executive Chef and will be a primary partner with the Executive Chef on all levels. The Chef will be a visionary with inspiration, creativity, laser focus, the ability to cost out menus effectively and efficiently and plan exciting and interesting menus that are unexpected and fun for both the culinary team as well as our guests. We're not talking churros here! We have dinners that need to be executed at our nice restaurant on property on a daily basis as well as custom high end menus that we produce for our executive team, board members and top level banquets/catering events. We are looking for a Chef that will come to the table with ideas, action, engagement, excitement, a collaborative spirit, open to a great culinary partnership where you have the ability to have fun, create and really make a difference. Must have a passion for food and excited to create change.

The Chef supports San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's mission and vision of saving species worldwide by uniting our expertise in animal care and conservation science with our dedication to inspiring passion for nature and leading the fight against extinction.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Responsible for oversight of culinary staff including, but not limited to hiring, training, scheduling, performance management and discipline related matters.
• Supervises kitchen staff in the preparation and production of quality food in the restaurant, banquets/catering and all food service operations in the absence of the Executive Chef.
• Ensure the highest food safety standards including but not limited to, ensuring all foods are stored and served at proper temperatures, conducting safety training, conducting inspections and maintaining documentation to comply with federal, state and local food safety standards.
• Create and implements new menus, individual menu items and custom menus for the restaurant and for Banquets/Catering operations based on current food trends and regional tastes and to then execute those special events.
• Responsible for the daily operation of the full service restaurant, banquets/catering & commissary kitchen including accuracy in forecasting and scheduling in coordination with budget labor forecasts and productivity standards.
• Assist with menu development for the restaurant, banquets & Catering, commissary Kitchen and all quick service restaurants/outlets in the Zoo.
• Develops menu selections for special themed menus in the restaurant and banquets/catering themes and parties in accordance with client budgetary guidelines and expectations.
• Monitor inventory levels, audit storerooms, freezers and dry storage items, ensure adequate stock, including ordering, in all kitchens and assist with inventory in banquet and retail operations.
• Coordinate with other food production staff ensuring high quality and consistency of all food production and execution.
• Develops new products and processes by identifying research and development opportunities; conducting and evaluating experiments.
• Prepares Chef’s specials for the restaurant, Banquets/Catering and other menu items in a variety of quick service locations in the Zoo.
• Ensure consistent quality products that adhere to health code requirements.
• Establish and maintain programs to prevent waste in all kitchens.
• Attend management meetings and weekly banquets/catering and restaurant meetings.
• Responsible for all Dayforce Management System Time edits/punches/approvals/Break Supplements/employee comments/entering of schedules for Albert’s, Banquets & Catering Internal 91180 & External 91181, Commissary Kitchen & any staff required/being pulled for Banquets/Catering events.
• Responsible for all terminations submitted to Retail Front office & edits in Dayforce Management.
• Responsible for creating templates and applying filters in Dayforce, filtering reports such as unauthorized records report and break supplement reports to ensure all records are closed for Payroll Monday.
• Ensure all One-on-One meetings and reviews are completed for all employees in each area in a timely manner and all training completed prior to the due date.
• Conduct daily pre-shifts with the team to inspire/train/develop/teach/coach and lead the team to a brighter, better daily experience at Albert’s restaurant and Banquets/Catering. Motivate the team to bring them to the next level of success both personally and professionally.
  

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is seeking an individual who is inspired to be a part of an organization that is committed to protecting wildlife around the globe. A leader to join us in our commitment to provide opportunities to learn about, engage with best-in-class conservation work, and share how that work is changing outcomes for wildlife every day through visits to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

JOB EXPERIENCE

• Flexible/Adaptable experience in a restaurant or Banquets/Catering kitchen with responsibility for food quality, overall production, management experience.
• Experience of high volume kitchen operations ideally in both a restaurant and in offsite Banquets/Catering operations.
• Experience of high volume, fast-paced operations, with the ability to work in a variety of locations.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule at the direction of the Executive Chef in support of Albert's Restaurant, Banquets & Catering, Quick Service Stands/Restaurants on property as well as our Commissary Operations that supply food to a variety on property Quick Service Restaurants/Stands.

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Culinary Degree
• Certified Culinarian (CC)-ACF Certification from an accredited culinary program or equivalent specialized training required.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of various styles of cuisine preparation and presentation.
• Effective supervisory and training skills for a large culinary team.
• Strong working knowledge of Banquets/Catering operations and the overall food profession.
• Strong working knowledge of policies and procedures based on the food guidelines and industry best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to lead highly effective teams.
• Able to operate word processing and ordering systems such as Dayforce, Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
• Must be able to understand how to write and to read recipes and create custom menus.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks in a high volume environment with competing deadlines.
• Able to handle highly complex, fast paced situations with a high level of tact and diplomacy.
• Strong working knowledge of team building techniques and successful application.
• Strong working knowledge of food safety rules and regulations.
• Able to communicate effectively (verbal and written).
  

SOME OF THE PERKS YOU WILL ENJOY AS A TEAM MEMBER

• Free admission to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
• Family Passes
• Complimentary Tickets
• Local and In-House Discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program
  

IMPORTANT DETAILS

• Location: San Diego Zoo
• Duration: Year Round
• Exempt Position: Salary is commensurate with experience
• If you are currently in a union position, please make sure to reach out to your Benefits Representative in Human Resources, as this will affect your current benefits.
• Candidates must be available for an interview if contacted. Full job description available upon request.
  

THIS EMPLOYER PARTICIPATES IN E-VERIFY

SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE IS A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE

SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE IS AN EEO/AA/DISABILITY/PROTECTED VETERAN EMPLOYER
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance makes every effort to ensure equal employment opportunities for all individuals and abides by EEO and nondiscrimination provisions of all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, please email your request to sdzwacareers@sdzwa.org and provide the job title and location to which you are applying.

Join our team and build a career protecting wildlife around the globe with your passion for wildlife!

Other details

• Job Function

  9.15

• Pay Type

  Salary