Chef De Cuisine - North Shore Steaks & Seafood

American Place Casino

Our mission is to be Chicagoland's premier gaming and entertainment destination, celebrated for unparalleled hospitality and an unforgettable guest experience. We're not just a casino; we're a community where our team members thrive, with countless opportunities for career growth and a workplace culture centered on inclusivity and fun. As we continue to elevate our standards of excellence, we seek dynamic, coachable individuals who are passionate about hospitality and eager to grow with us. At American Place Casino, every moment is crafted to delight, every opportunity is a pathway to success.

Responsible for assisting the Executive Chef in the daily oversight and execution of all kitchen operations. This includes supervising culinary production and managing staff across various kitchen stations such as the hot line, cold line, pastry, second shift, dish room, and expo. The role ensures that food quality, consistency, and safety standards are maintained while supporting a smooth and efficient kitchen environment.

Leadership & Staff Management

• Directly manage sous chefs and pastry chefs, guiding their supervision of kitchen staff across all departments.
• Oversee staff selection, onboarding, training, scheduling, and daily work assignments.
• Act as a coach and mentor by setting clear performance objectives, conducting regular reviews, and providing consistent feedback.
• Administer corrective actions and maintain documentation of performance-related matters.

Food Quality & Production Oversight

• Monitor daily production across all kitchen departments to ensure alignment with event guidelines and brand standards.
• Conduct regular kitchen walk-throughs and random food tastings to maintain quality, consistency, and safety.
• Establish and enforce portion sizes and controls to minimize waste and ensure accurate food preparation.
• Taste products daily to ensure flavor, presentation, and consistency standards are met.
• Attend field events and tastings as needed, providing hands-on leadership and culinary expertise.

Standards & Compliance

• Train staff on proper sanitation and food safety procedures in compliance with ServeSafe and internal guidelines.
• Ensure proper uniforms and hygiene practices are followed at all times.
• Maintain strict adherence to Blue Plate's cleaning, maintenance, and safety policies.
• Monitor kitchen equipment and facilities; recommend and oversee repairs or replacements as necessary.
• Implement and uphold company policies, including the Blue-Plate Safety Policy.

Menu & Event Execution

• Collaborate with the Executive Chef to develop new menu items and share culinary updates with staff and sales teams.
• Review event orders with Field Chefs to ensure proper preparation methods and presentation.
• Oversee the creation and maintenance of standard operating procedures, including recipes, food photos, and usage of the CaterXpert kitchen module.

Administrative & Operational Duties

• Participate in bi-weekly production meetings with sales and operations teams to confirm event details.
• Assist with ordering food and cleaning supplies, using order guides and purchase orders as required.
• Manage staffing levels and make adjustments based on business volume and event demands.
• Create and manage kitchen staff schedules, approve PTO, and oversee payroll processing.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and compliance training for new culinary team members.

General Expectations

• Report to work in proper uniform as outlined in the Back of House Dress Code Policy.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support kitchen operations and business needs.

Experience You Will Need

• Experienced in high volume food sales
• Possess leadership, team building and implementation skills
• Culinary Arts degree or advanced culinary arts certification is preferred
• 6+ years of successful experience within the hospitality industry, preferably in fine dining
• Bilingual is a plus (preferred)

Physical Requirements

• Able to train and manage a large staff
• Able to stand for a 1014-hour shift
• Other physical demands of this job may include, but are not limited to: sitting, bending, lifting, reaching, pulling/pushing, kneeling, squatting, and grasping

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Able to obtain/maintain necessary licenses and/or certifications as required by local gaming regulations.

Benefits/Perks:

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• 401K
• Educational Tuition Reimbursement
• Ventra Program, EAP programs, etc.

Salary Range: $60,000-$97,500

American Place Casino is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.