Executive Chef

Universal Weather and Aviation•Ashburn, VA

About The Position

The Executive Chef is responsible for managing the culinary and kitchen operations staff, and the overall compliance with HACCP, Food Safety and ACES specifications associated with Air Culinaire Worldwide food production orders. Additionally, the Executive Chef will participate in the process of directly serving the Air Culinaire Worldwide customers and obtaining feedback from them regarding our product and service, which they will relay to the General Manager. The Executive Chef will be an on-site problem solver in the event of situations arising that requires immediate action, and the Executive Chef will be the authority to make decisions to solve the problem following company procedures related to customer satisfaction, safety, and cost. The Executive Chef is responsible for managing all culinary staff training, labor scheduling as directed by the GM, and for the career planning, coaching and skills enhancement of the entire culinary team.

Requirements

A culinary degree or equivalent experience in a professional kitchen environment within catering or fine dining establishment is required.
A current Safe Food Handling Certificate.
Strong experience in food purchasing/ordering, inventory, setting up par levels, recipe selection, culinary preparation methods and knife skills are essential.
Other required experience includes food and equipment safety as well as strong knowledge of food production.
Individual must possess excellent verbal and written communications skills, as well as be proficient in email, internet use, and basic office software programs.
Must have demonstrated the ability to manage and maintain customer accounts, as well as pay attention to detail.
Must be able to demonstrate strong Managerial skills, including team building, hiring, skills training, disciplining, performance reviews, cross-training and employee development.
The Executive Chef must have an excellent driving record and valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

The ability to speak Spanish & French in addition to English is preferred.

Responsibilities

Recruiting, interviews, hires and training of existing and new kitchen personnel.
Schedule, direct, train, oversee and develop kitchen staff including hiring, discipline and performance reviews and specific skills enhancements.
Develop and implement client facing menus, written menu proposals, regional menus. Recipes and promotional foods and tastings as required.
Monitor and communicate Customer deviations and implement training for improvements and product changes as directed and needed.
Visits Clients, Vendors, and offers/Performs food demonstrations at FBO’s and conferences.
ACW is utilizing Shipday for all its logistical information. All employees who are organizing or delivering catering are required to use Shipday for all order logistics and deliveries to include delivery photo at point of delivery and the name of the recipient at point of delivery.
Becomes resident subject matter expert (SME) for all hot and cold culinary processes within kitchen.
Designs, supervises, coordinates, and participates in training, educational and demonstrational activities for cooks, prep, janitorial and other kitchen personnel.
Maintains updated knowledge of current culinary and packaging and consumer dining trends.
Implements and trains Food Safety, oversees/purchases food, establishes production levels and inventory controls, manages/controls food cost issues and provides direction and executes solutions.
Responsible for ensuring timely food handling, storage, prep, and production.
Maintains & manages Air Culinaire Worldwide kitchen specifications and SOPs as required.
Participates in and implements Sales and Marketing programs as required from the culinary perspective.
Safely operate company vehicles and drive in compliance with all local and federal laws and regulations. Must be legally licensed to drive and badged as required by FBO-Clients.
Dresses professionally in full Chef Uniform and within the guidelines of Company procedures including the company approved uniform.
Carry company provided telephones/radios at all times when on duty out of the office and communicate with your local operation and the company call center as required or needed.
Minimize the use of cell phone time by utilizing “walkie-talkie” functionality if available.
Basic financial skills and functions are required as well as a sound understanding of calculating food cost, packaging cost, plating cost, paper costs and reading of a basic P&L statement.
All other duties as assigned by the General Manager. Must be comfortable speaking to groups and training in public format as an internal instructor.

Benefits

Air Culinaire Worldwide employees have the flexibility to design the benefit selections best suited for their needs.
Full Time employees are eligible for healthcare and supplemental benefits on the first day of the month, following 30 days of employment.
401 (K) Retirement Plan with a discretionary 100% employer match of the first 6% of participant contributions.
Plan entry is the first day of the month following 30 days of employment.
Three (3) medical plans to choose from, with an excellent employer contribution.
Available Dental and Vision insurance
Company paid basic life insurance, with the option to elect additional voluntary term life.
Company paid short-term and long-term disability insurance.
Available supplemental benefits, including critical illness, accident insurance, hospital indemnity insurance and pet insurance.
Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account available (for eligible plans)
Generous Vacation Program for full time employees
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)