Fine Dining Captain, Coastal Kitchen, Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa

Coastal Kitchen Captain

The Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa is a luxury property. This 290 room property has four penthouse suites, over 17,000 square feet of meeting space, expansive exterior space known as the Plaza, the Promenade and the Terrace, and an award-winning food and beverage program. Banquets, Schooners Coastal Kitchen and Bar, Helmsman Lounge, Tidal Coffee, and Room Service provide guests, groups, and local visitors numerous dining options. Vista Blue Spa offers a wide array of services in an outstanding location on the penthouse suite level and hosts the Fitness Center in addition to retail and sundries. The Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa is the only Forbes 4-Star property in Monterey, which it has earned annually since 2009.

The Monterey Plazas mission is to consistently operate as one team, to produce raving fans, loyal guests and associates while achieving annual financial expectations. Enthusiastically taking care of our guests defines hospitality at our property.

The Coastal Kitchen Captain assists in ensuring the outlets are operating efficiently and profitably while maintaining the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spas reputation for service. The Captain will assist with directing the staffs daily efforts through adherence to all hotel protocols, procedures and standards. Staff include Bussers, Runners, and Servers. They assist the F&B management team with maintaining the highest standards of food, service, health and safety.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Provides consistent feedback with respect to hotel standards, and assists the F&B management team with performance evaluations according to hotel guidelines. Assist training staff to meet or exceed customer service satisfaction goals.

Masters the tasks required within the outlets in order to effectively and appropriately to train, develop and motivate personnel.

Listens to, and effectively resolves, associate concerns in an expeditious and professional manner according to hotel and departmental standards and best practices such as those communicated via the Monterey Plazas, Associate Guidebook. Serves to maintain an Issue-Free Workplace. Consults with the People & Culture department as needed.

Maintains knowledge of hotel features/services, hours of operation, daily house count, and expected arrivals/departures, etc. and shares this with staff in the department.

Assigns tasks day-to-day with respect to the cleanliness and the physical organization of all seating areas to ensure all are clean and maintained at all times.

Reports maintenance requests to ensures the tools necessary for staff are available and functioning. Maintains par levels needed for the day-to-day operation, For example, ensures product is available to guarantee all drinks are made to the exact standard.

Assists with the development of guest service skills so that the guest experience is authentic.

Sets a positive tone and is a role model for the staff. Ensures all greet, meet and interactions with patrons are conducted according to Hotel standards.

Role models the promotion and recommendation of the hotel, various dining options and the Vista Blue Spa.

Assists Accounting by monitoring billing and register functions are performed in an accurate and consistent manner. Reports issues forward.

Leads daily line ups to ensure the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa commitment to excellence is known and ensure staff members are engaged and understand the current priorities and goals

Works cooperatively and in coordination with all other hotel departments and third-parties to deliver exceptional guest service to a 4-Star standard.

Observes all safety protocols and holds others accountable to hotel and departmental safety standards and procedures. Maintains a clean and well-organized outlet in the interest of health and safety. Watches for and takes corrective measures against any hazards which pose a safety concern to our associates and/or guests

Leads by example within the department as it relates to following all Standards of Conduct, hotel and outlet policies and procedures.

Completes other duties and special projects as assigned.

Monitors staff as it relates to completion of opening and closing duties according to checklists to ensure complete compliance with standards of preparation for the incoming shift and so that the cleanliness of the outlet is maintained to a 4-Star standard.

Addresses and resolves any guest issues that may arise. Communicates Kindness Alerts to the Front Office and communicates existing Kindness Alerts to staff at pre-shift.

Due to the cyclical nature of the hospitality industry, associates may be required to work varying schedules to reflect the business needs of the Hotel, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Upon employment, all associates are required to fully comply with the Hotel rules and regulations for the safe and efficient operation of the facility.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position trains and mentors hourly associates. They provides performance information to the Director of F&B.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Must have basic knowledge of food and beverage preparation and food presentation service standards.

• Knowledge of restaurant operation, to include appropriate staffing levels, service equipment and guest relations.
• Excellent wine knowledge, able to pair food and wine selections.
• Knowledge of Micros, Open Table, and MS Word.
• Able to communicate effectively with the public and other team members.
• Knowledge of menu items and preparation methods by meal period.
• Previous experience with a point of sales system, such as Micros, is preferred.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to read, listen and communicate effectively in English. The ability to speak Spanish is beneficial.
• Able to effectively deal with customer complaints and concerns in a friendly and positive manner. This involves listening to the nature of the concern demonstrating empathy with the guest and providing positive and proactive solutions.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to recite and promote a variety of menu items.
• Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers and to multiply and divide.
• Ability to perform these operations using units of American money.
• Ability to move through a crowded room to seat guests.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and multi-task.
• Meets legal age requirements for the position.

Education and/or Experience

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school or any other combination of education, training or experience that provides the required knowledge skills and abilities. High school diploma is preferred. Two to four years directly related Food & Beverage experience is also preferred, preferably in a supervisory or captain position. Excellent wine knowledge is preferred.

Certificates Licenses & Registrations

Required to maintain a valid unexpired California Food Handlers certificate and an RBS certificate. A valid unexpired Serve Safe certification is high desirable.

Certified in CPR/First-Aid is preferred.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the associate is regularly required to stand. The associate frequently is required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The associate must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally will lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an associate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position operates in a hectic restaurant environment that may be noisy and routinely uses standard coffee and drink preparation equipment such as mixers, coffee-makers and espresso machines and general office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. The position may be exposed to outdoor weather.

Grooming

All associates must maintain a neat, clean and well-groomed appearance (specific standards available.)

Pay Scale

The pay scale for this position is $19.40 per hour, with the position being