Banquet Chef - Luxury Hotel & Large-Scale Events | Bilingual Preferred

Job Description

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Banquet Chef to lead culinary production and execution for a luxury coastal hotel and resort in Santa Cruz, CA. This is a hands-on culinary leadership position responsible for delivering exceptional food for weddings, corporate events, galas, private celebrations, and large-scale functions .

The ideal candidate combines strong banquet production expertise with refined culinary standards, excellent team leadership, and the ability to execute consistently under high-volume conditions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, preparation, and execution of banquet and event cuisine .
• Develop seasonal menus featuring local Santa Cruz County ingredients and California coastal influences .
• Collaborate with the Executive Chef and event teams on customized menus and special events.
• Execute events ranging from intimate gatherings to functions of 500+ guests .
• Manage multiple events and production timelines while maintaining quality, consistency, and presentation.
• Lead and mentor a team of approximately 8–12 banquet cooks and prep staff .
• Schedule and coordinate banquet kitchen staffing based on event needs.
• Conduct menu tastings and collaborate with clients and event coordinators when needed.
• Coordinate with pastry and other culinary teams for complete banquet execution.
• Manage food cost, portion control, inventory, and waste reduction.
• Ensure compliance with HACCP, ServSafe, sanitation, allergen, and food-safety standards .
• Maintain a clean, organized, and inspection-ready kitchen.
• Partner closely with FOH, banquet, and event teams to ensure precise timing and seamless service.
• Adapt quickly to changing guest counts, last-minute menu adjustments, and simultaneous events.
• Train culinary staff on technique, presentation, safety, and operational standards.
• Participate in post-event reviews and continuous culinary improvement.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• 5+ years of banquet or high-volume culinary experience .
• Luxury hotel, resort, fine dining, or upscale catering experience strongly preferred.
• Proven experience executing large-scale events of 200+ guests .
• Previous Banquet Chef, Executive Sous Chef, Sous Chef, or comparable culinary leadership experience.
• Strong large-volume food production and event execution skills.
• Proven ability to lead, train, and develop culinary teams.
• Strong knowledge of dietary restrictions, allergens, and special-diet menu execution.
• Experience managing food costs, portions, inventory, and waste.
• Excellent organization, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Comfortable managing multiple events simultaneously in a high-pressure environment .
• Culinary degree or formal culinary training preferred; equivalent professional experience considered.
• ServSafe/HACCP knowledge strongly preferred.
• Bilingual skills are a plus.

The Restaurant Zone is a leading hospitality recruitment agency specializing in connecting top-tier talent with restaurants, hotels, and hospitality groups across the United States. We partner with growing brands and established operators to deliver high-quality candidates for management, executive, and specialized roles. Our team combines industry expertise, a vast candidate network, and a results-driven approach to help businesses build strong, reliable teams. At The Restaurant Zone, we focus on speed, quality, and long-term fit—ensuring both clients and candidates succeed.

Company Description

The Restaurant Zone is a leading hospitality recruitment agency specializing in connecting top-tier talent with restaurants, hotels, and hospitality groups across the United States. We partner with growing brands and established operators to deliver high-quality candidates for management, executive, and specialized roles. Our team combines industry expertise, a vast candidate network, and a results-driven approach to help businesses build strong, reliable teams. At The Restaurant Zone, we focus on speed, quality, and long-term fit—ensuring both clients and candidates succeed.