Locally rooted but globally connected, the Else brand is conceptualised as a modern-day sanctuary and a platform for well-heeled travellers to discover and appreciate the local culture, complemented with world-class service and execution.
Located in the centre of Kuala Lumpur's creative-cultural core, the Else mind-set is about taking a distinct and differentiated approach to hospitality, one where every experience is personalised, thoughtfully crafted, and delivered with sincerity by an incredibly capable team.
Position Summary:
The Executive Chef heads the culinary team in Else. He/she must be a self-starter who has a passion for culinary arts, food and guest experience. The ideal candidate must possess great leadership, interpersonal and communication skills and be excellent at multitasking. It is critical that the Executive Chef have the desire to develop people and culture and be willing to work in a team to input ideas into the creation of our menus. Ideally, he/she should possess a fun, positive, personable and 'can do' attitude.
In addition to advanced culinary skills, this individual must have experience in cost control, fully conversant of sanitation and food safety standards and take full ownership and responsibility for all culinary operations. The Executive Chef is on board to set us apart from our competition with their culinary creativity and commitment to excellence.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Culinary Direction
Create/Develop culinary destination experiences within Else Retreats Kuala Lumpur.
Oversee full culinary operations for the entire Else property, consisting of 1 All-day Dining (RAW), 1 Specialty Restaurant (YFH), Pool Menu Offering, In-room Dining, Small Scale Events/Catering and In-room Amenities.
Responsible for culinary ideations in order to develop new products related to concept needs and objectives.
Manage and expand menu offerings to build guest frequency and loyalty. Through research & development, continuously implement new recipes that provide all concepts with a leading brand position.
Provide a clear and concise recipe manual and ingredient and nutritional breakdown.
Hire key culinary personnel and provide proficient training.
Educate all levels of the kitchen team and enhance a vibrant and passionate food culture.
Explain why and how offerings are chosen and its relevance to our brand culture.
Strive to establish top restaurant in KL dining (accolades, awards, recognition).
Initiate development of multiple prototypes that deliver on concept or strategy: menu description, operational feasibility, and financial structures.
Review and upgrade kitchen processes and design to ensure maximum efficiency in both cost and productivity.
Identify and implement strategies that enhance the concepts tactical assets of recipes, food preparation, service and ordering/purchasing.
Focus on maintaining reasonable and competitive food cost percentage to approved target or better.
Expectation to research and understand each market's local regulatory requirements for restaurant operations – including kitchen layout, equipment maintenance, grading scales and staff hygiene. Outlets must have the highest possible grade for hygiene and pass all state and country requirements.
Work closely with Management to create financial & budget models pertaining to food cost.
Ensure effective tracking systems for staff are in place.
Develop all training manuals, procedures and SOPs for BOH and FOH are up-to-date and relevant.
Produce and implement strict inventory and wastage reporting templates and submission guidelines.
Ensure that the highest level of hygiene in kitchen and line are carried throughout all concepts.
Perform periodic kitchen and food audits – develop checklists and schedule timing.
Leadership
Lead operational and strategic initiatives, work closely with partners, GM and stakeholders at all levels to achieve impact.
Effectively manage and deliver against multiple projects simultaneously.
Lead cross-functional kitchen teams to develop and implement new culinary strategies.
Project lead on existing product improvements, formulary changes or enhancements, and cost improvement initiatives, including complete product evaluations, refinements, and documentation.
Identify & develop leaders who provide ongoing kitchen and culinary operations.
Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels; experience with change management.
Project Management
Timeline: Setting and implementing culinary goals timeline to be determined once onboard.
Budgets: Oversee budgets for related departments is within a given/approved budget.
Responsible for breakdown and usage of these budgets.
Certificates/Standards: Responsible for adhering to and passing local country hygiene and other kitchen-related standards. Achieve the highest possible rating for hygiene in all outlets.
COGS – Food / Labour
Food to budgeted amount of agreed % or less through accountability of outlet heads. BOH and FOH labour cost to be within a set budget.
Responsibility for overseeing COGS-food and labour cost.
Responsible for holding outlet leaders accountable for performances.
Reporting, Manuals, and Submissions.
Employee Engagement and Training
Ensure that we are providing competitive packages, robust training and focused career path planning.
Desired Qualifications:
Minimum of 2 years in a similar role or 5 years as Head Chef in an upmarket restaurant.
Advanced knowledge of hygiene and food safety management standards and procedures is a necessity.
Strong critical thinking and collaboration skills.
Well exposed to a variety of international cuisine.
Well versed in different cooking techniques.
Ability to create well-balanced and exciting menus on a consistent basis within a tight time frame.
Disciplined individual with the ability to multi-task and meet deadlines.
People person with passion for people development.
A leader that inspires and a manager that organizes to achieve efficiency and productivity.
Passionate about food and cooking.
Ability to demonstrate and execute an exceedingly strong work ethics.
Strong administrative capabilities and conversant with basic Microsoft Office suite of applications.#J-18808-Ljbffr