Banquet Chef

As a the Banquet Chef, at the Fairmont Empress, your creative flair and passion for creating exceptional culinary experiences will set you apart as a strong leader in the industry.

What is in it for you: 

• Employee benefit card offering discounted rates at Accor properties worldwide 
• Exclusive Employee and Friends & Family Discounts at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 
• Exclusive access to the Pacific Northwest Food & Beverage Discount Program with 50% off at our dining destinations in Vancouver, Victoria, and Whistler
• Opportunity to develop your talent and grow within your property and across the world! 
• Complimentary meal during your shift through our Colleague Dining Program 
• Complimentary uniform laundering
• Access to our Safety Footwear Reimbursement Program (up to $120 per year)
• Access to our comprehensive benefits and wellness programs, including extended healthcare benefits and RMT, dental, vision, and complimentary counseling, wellness sessions, financial and family planning through LifeWorks
• Access to our company-matched Defined Contribution Pension Plan (DCPP)
• Opportunity to develop your talent through coaching and our Leadership Mentoring Programs

What you will be doing:

Reporting to the Executive Sous Chef and working in partnership with the Executive Chef, you will be responsible for the creative direction and execution of all banqueting operations for the Fairmont Empress and Victoria Conference Centre.

• Design menus that reflect the Fairmont Empress’ position as leader in Pacific North West cuisine
• Work with the local farmers, fishers and culinary artisans of Vancouver Island to curate on brand and trend setting culinary experiences for local and in house guests
• Lead the day to day operations of the banquet and garde manger kitchens, through an active presence on the floor, leading your teams to deliver service excellence
• In collaboration with the other culinary leaders; oversee the entirety of the culinary and stewarding departments. Banqueting, Afternoon Tea, Garde Manger, Fairmont Gold, Staff Cafeteria and ‘Empress at Home’ to go programs.
• Effectively  participate in managing the departmental budget through purchasing,  inventory management, pricing, and labour cost
• Drive revenue and profit through the development and implementation of menu design, strategies, practices and promotions.
• Maintain food safety and sanitation of the kitchen, through industry leading food safety protocols.
• Highly involved in sourcing products and building relationships with local vendors
• Represent the Empress at external events
• Collaborate with other departments to ensure effective operation of the hotel, and exceptional guest experiences
• Train and lead the culinary team, ensuring they have the skills, training and tools to deliver world class culinary experiences 
• Take an active role with FOH leaders to ensure service colleagues are knowledgeable about the menu and can speak with guests comfortably about menu items, ingredients, and techniques.  
• Personally engage with clients and guests, ensuring exceptional culinary experiences
• Take initiative to ensure guest satisfaction metrics are met or exceeded, responding personally to guest feedback
• Participate in the recruitment and onboarding of new colleagues
• Promote the growth and development of internal talent
• Pro-actively participate in colleague engagement initiatives
• Lead the kitchen in the absence of the Executive sous Chef
• Adhere to all Company policies, procedures and values
• Other duties as assigned

Your experience and skills include:

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a Senior Sous Chef or Banquet Chef role. A combination of both standalone restaurant and luxury hotel experience is an asset.
• Demonstrated passion for cuisine, guest experience and colleague engagement
• A strong understanding of local food products and culinary tends
• Experience managing in a unionized environment is considered an asset
• Food Safe level 1 or VIHA recognized equivalent certification
• Interprovincial Red Seal or equivalent certification
• Proven organizational skills; managing in a busy multiple outlet environment
• Self-motivated, detail oriented and well organized, excellent work ethic with a high degree of responsibility
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Computer literate; well versed in Microsoft Office applications
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, customer service driven environment
• A team player with the ability to train, coach, build relationships and motivate employees.
• Practical understanding of productivity and labour cost
• Versed on calculation of food cost; Experience with conducting food inventories and understanding of inventory turn-over
• Understanding of safe work practices and initiatives to reduce or eliminate accidents
• Proven ability to drive revenues and profit, without sacrificing colleague and customer experiences
• Strong interpersonal and problem solving abilities
• Ability to taste all food products

Physical Aspects of Position (include but are not limited to): 

• Constant standing and walking
• Frequent bending and kneeling
• Frequent carrying and lifting

Visa Requirements: Must be legally eligible to work in Canada. The hotel is unable to assist candidates in obtaining Canadian work authorization.

Your team and working environment:

Welcome to Canada’s Castle on the Coast. The Empress Hotel sits proudly at the centre of culture and history in Victoria, British Columbia. This is the best of all worlds – where contrast meets distinction, opulence blends harmoniously with the understated and fabled history meshes with contemporary affairs. This award-winning Victoria hotel and National Historic Site is an alluring blend of classic and contemporary, vintage and cutting-edge: Where Modern meets Iconic. Come join our wonderful team of hospitality experts!

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  Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:
  We are an inclusive company and our ambition is to attract, recruit and promote diverse talent.
  
  Why work for Accor?
  We are far more than a worldwide leader. We welcome you as you are and you can find a job and brand that matches your personality. We support you to grow and learn every day, making sure that work brings purpose to your life, so that during your journey with us, you can continue to explore Accor’s limitless possibilities.
  By joining Accor, every chapter of your story is yours to write and together we can imagine tomorrow's hospitality. Discover the life that awaits you at Accor, visit  https://careers.accor.com/

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