Chef de Cuisine

Job Description

Job Description

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The Chef de Cuisine plays a vital leadership role in the daily operations of the kitchen, ensuring efficiency, consistency, and high standards across all culinary activities. This position is responsible for supporting menu development and planning daily specials, while also providing insightful recommendations to improve kitchen procedures. The Chef de Cuisine manages weekly staff schedules to guarantee proper coverage and maintains an active presence on the line during regular shifts. They guide, train, and assist kitchen staff, fostering a collaborative and professional environment. Inventory management is a key focus, with responsibility for maintaining stock levels, conducting portion checks, and securing all kitchen supplies and equipment. Cleanliness and organization are upheld through the creation of daily and weekly prep and cleaning lists, with oversight of walk-ins and storage areas. The Chef de Cuisine ensures all safety and sanitation standards are met and consistently monitored, contributing to the overall excellence and integrity of the kitchen. Additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed to support the success of the culinary team.

Compensation based on experience and qualifications. This full-time position features excellent employer-paid medical, dental, vision and life insurance benefits.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent is required.
• Certification from a culinary institute or similar required.
• Seven years’ experience in a high volume restaurant which includes banquet and catering services required.
• Five years’ supervisory experience required. Casino experience preferred.  
• Additional education or related experience may substitute for the minimum requirements of the position.

COMPETENCIES:

The Chef de Cuisine must demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of health and safety regulations, including proper food handling, storage, temperature control, and sanitation practices. A strong working knowledge of profit and loss statements, hazardous materials, kitchen equipment, and relevant policies and procedures—both departmental and organizational—is essential. This role requires advanced culinary skills, including expertise in sautéing, broiling, steaming, baking, sauce preparation, and food presentation, as well as proficiency in the use of various kitchen tools and equipment. The Chef de Cuisine must also be comfortable using computers and related software, particularly Microsoft Office, and possess strong math skills for recipe costing and menu pricing. The ability to follow both verbal and written recipe instructions with precision, evaluate food for quality and consistency, and ensure adherence to portion and presentation standards is crucial. Additionally, the Chef de Cuisine must provide effective leadership, direction, and training to kitchen staff, excel under pressure, communicate clearly, and resolve problems efficiently. A commitment to superior guest service, sound inventory control practices, and the ability to motivate and develop a high-performing culinary team are key components of this role.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work is performed indoors in a kitchen environment; exposure to varying temperatures; ovens, hot appliances, and sharp cooking utensils; slippery floors, high paced kitchen area; and periodic exposure to a smoke filled environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
This position is subject to prolonged periods of standing, walking, bending, reaching, climbing stairs, pushing, and pulling; use of hand and finger dexterity for operating various pieces of cooking equipment; use of eye sight to inspect or read instructions; lifting up to 40 lbs; and exposure to cooking fumes and odors.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to work all scheduled shifts to include day, swing, graveyard and holidays.

All applicants must obtain a Class III A license as required by the Puyallup Tribal Gaming Regulatory Office and the Washington State Gaming Commission. Pre-employment drug testing is required for all positions. However, the use of marijuana will not disqualify an applicant unless the position requires driving a company vehicle. The Emerald Queen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Indian Preference in hiring shall apply according to the policies adopted by Puyallup Tribe’s Emerald Queen Casino. Job descriptions are intended to present a brief summary of the position and the description is not intended to list all of the duties performed within the job.