Chef de Cuisine

Chef De Cuisine

The Chef De Cuisine reports to the Executive Chef and leads menu planning and development, while overseeing and being the hands-on leader of the culinary operation. It is critical that you possess a strong background and knowledge of culinary technique related to the F+B concept(s) for the hotel, and your presence on the floor is as regular as it is in the kitchen. Creating efficiencies and ensuring consistency in the kitchen operation is key, as you are the last line of defense for the menu items you create. You will develop strategies to heighten productivity and control menu costs, adjusting production to meet business levels. You inspire the team through your creative, innovative, and collaborative approach. Having the skills to mentor and teach your team of culinarians is a must for this position, as is demonstrating humility and genuine care for the items you create and the individuals who execute upon them. At Aparium, our culinary teams are expected to hold themselves, the guests, and each other in high regard. You will actively develop trusting and transparent relationships with all associates throughout the hotel. You will have the opportunity to work with a phenomenal group of individuals with whom collaboration, humbleness, and open-minds are the normno egos are allowed. The ability to work with controlled measure and respect for your leadership team and peers is imperative; we have a no-tolerance policy for the "old school way."

What You Will Do

• Uphold and role model the company's principles of People, Place, and Character, while encouraging your direct reports to embody our values that drive collaboration, intuitive service, and translocal hospitality
• Be a key partner with the Director of Food and Beverage, engaging in constant communication. Work together to identify opportunities and hold one another accountable, demonstrating a united front committed to providing the best possible guest experience.
• Collaborate with and counsel your team of Sous Chefs, Cooks, and Stewards to uphold the integrity of the food, guest experience, cleanliness, and maintenance of the culinary spaces
• Demonstrate your passion and aptitude for all aspects of a guest's amazing culinary experience, including balancing flavor combinations, considerations for temperature and texture, guest satisfaction, and menu flow
• Fluent in operational metrics (KPI's and P&L's), demonstrating critical thinking skills by connecting those with operational observations, making adjustments as needed
• Coach and mentor your team on development of their skill set, technique, and menu execution, fostering an environment of continuous growth; effectively use corrective action to address root causes of issues, course-correcting any missed opportunities
• Foster open lines of communication within the department by facilitating daily line ups, weekly culinary leadership meetings, and quarterly culinary all staff meetings to create a transparent dialogue amongst the team to voice ideas and concerns, while addressing the department's key priorities
• Actively drive recruitment, training, scheduling, supervising, coaching, and motivation of all culinary associates in order to create an environment that nurtures ideas and develops future talent for succession planning in the culinary program
• Observe conditions of all physical facilities and equipment in the culinary operation, working in collaboration with the engineering department and any third-party vendors to make corrections and improvements as needed
• Communicate regularly with the Executive Chef to provide updates, discuss plans, communicate needs, and align on priorities, understanding that flexibility with your responsibilities is paramount to support a successful operation

What You Will Need

• Minimum of five (5) years in multiple culinary/ food and beverage department lead positions
• Experience in hotels with event spaces
• Multiple outlet experience is preferred, but not required
• Fine dining experience is preferred, but not required
• A strong food knowledge and ability to bring sources for purveyors and ingredients
• High level in-house pasta experience
• Bachelor's Degree in Culinary Arts respected, though not required
• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Excel and Word to create spreadsheets and proposals
• Adaptable interpersonal communication skills to address all employee levels of the hotel
• Professional proficiency of the English language in reading, writing and verbal communication
• Ability to calculate basic math principles to meet proper menu ingredients and perform inventory
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment for extended periods of time to meet high volume business
• Ability to lift, balance and carry up to 25lbs to transport dry goods inventory, equipment, etc.
• Ability to lift, balance and carry (with assistance) up to 100lbs to transport dry goods inventory, equipment, etc.
• Ability to stand or walk for prolonged periods to cook required menu items
• Ability to withstand warm to hot environments for prolonged periods while utilizing ovens, stoves, or fryers

Rate of Pay: $75,000 - $85,000 per year, based on experience Benefits: We are pleased to offer a comprehensive array of valuable benefits to protect your health, your family, and your way of life. All full-time regular associates are eligible to enroll in our benefit plans that include medical, dental, vision and supplemental insurances.

WHO WE ARE Hotels done differently. At Aparium, we believe in the power of People, Place and Character. We ensure our hotels are a place where individuals are valued and celebrated, elevating our associates' pride in who they are, where they live and who we serve. Our hotel is a tribute to the neighborhoods and the people of the communities where we operate. With its bold facade and inviting arched entrances on each side, Populus establishes a lively and welcoming new destination in downtown Denver. The hotel will be home to two signature food and beverage outlets, a ground floor restaurant and rooftop bar. The thirteen-story building includes 265 guest rooms, mezzanine meeting rooms and breakout spaces, a state of the art fitness and wellness center, and a commitment to sustainability and community unmatched by any other hotel in Denver. Populus is managed by Aparium Hotel Group which was founded in 2011 by Chicago hospitality executive and entrepreneur Mario Tricoci and Michael Kitchen. Since its founding, Aparium has grown into a new kind of hotel brand, one that ventures off the beaten path, both geographically and philosophically. It is a sophisticated hotel brand known for its singular ability to combine the business acumen of large hospitality companies with the charm of boutique hotels. At Populus, the ideals of Opportunity, Equity, and Inclusion (OEI) for our members are at the forefront of the community and the environment we will create. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Aparium Hospitality Services celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment, and sense of belonging for all employees. We do not discriminate and believe every individual should be proud of who they are, where they come from and take pride in who we serve. Aparium is an E-Verify employer.