Executive Chef

Reports to: General Manager, position is exempt

WHO WE ARE

Hotels done differently. It’s not just a slogan or catchphrase, it is who we are in everything we do. We believe in the power of People, Place and Character; ensuring our properties are a place where individuals are valued and celebrated as a tribute to the neighborhoods and the people of the communities in which we operate; elevating our associates’ pride in who they are, where they live and who we serve. The Detroit Foundation Hotel has transformed the historic Detroit Fire Department Headquarters into a 100‑room independent hotel that adds another piece to the ongoing Detroit renaissance puzzle. The hotel draws on the Motor‑City's unparalleled past while proactively moving the city to its next incarnation as a national cultural, business and artistic touch‑point. Featuring an inviting ground‑floor restaurant, The Apparatus Room, the hotel partners with local distillers, brewers, farmers and other edible sundry purveyors to deliver an authentic Detroit experience. 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, bringing the disparate forces together in bustling, smaller markets.

WHO YOU ARE

Your past experiences have led you to understand that there is an art + science to the how and what a hospitality operations professional is responsible for. Your balance of creative and organizational skills allows you to be both an artist as well as an air traffic controller. You are an intrinsically motivated individual who finds fulfillment in a full dining room with happy guests. You have the utmost respect for the ingredients and the process, striving to work directly with local farmers and artisans to obtain your ingredients at their height of freshness and peak of flavor. You understand the critical role you play in the hotel’s financial strategy and have a history of achieving cost‑effective solutions to daily kitchen management without sacrificing quality.

THE ROLE

The Executive Chef reports to the General Manager and leads menu planning and development, while overseeing 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—you understand that the ability to act as a soldier is as critical as being a general. 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 your peers on the Executive Committee and 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 norm—no 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. Demonstrate your commitment to the success of the entire hotel by participating in all Executive Committee meetings, providing thoughtful, insightful suggestions to support the culinary operation at the highest leadership level. 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 General Manager to provide updates, discuss plans, communicate needs, and align on priorities, understanding that flexibility with your responsibilities is paramount to support a successful operation. Aparium Hotel Group does not discriminate based on disability, veteran status or on any other basis protected under federal, state or local laws. The hotel and company are a smoke‑free, drug‑free facility, and equal opportunity employer.

HOW YOU WILL LEAD

Offer direct support for your team through coaching, counseling, gentle correction, and constructive feedback. Collaborate effectively with all hotel departments including Sales, Banquets & Catering, Food & Beverage, and Hotel Operations to provide an exemplary guest experience. Be respectful in your daily interactions with your managers, direct reports, and peers, exemplifying the utmost level of professionalism and being a pillar within your community. Be a subject matter expert in food and culinary techniques as well as understanding the history of the cuisine most closely related to the hotel food and beverage concept(s), effectively guiding others in their personal search with a gentle hand, never admonishing their lack of knowledge. Demonstrate business acumen and practice sound financial decisions by ensuring that initiatives align with operational goals and budgets.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Minimum of five (5) years as an Executive Chef experience in hotels with event spaces that make up at least 50% revenue (preferred) restaurant or hotel opening experience (preferred) multiple outlet experience (preferred) fine dining experience (preferred) 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 As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Aparium Hospitality Services celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment, and a sense of belonging for all associates. We do not discriminate and believe every individual should be proud of who they are, and where they come from and take pride in who we serve. Aparium is an E‑Verify employer. #J-18808-Ljbffr Detroit Foundation Hotel