Executive Chef - Departure

Departure Restaurant + Lounge, one of America's hottest Asian restaurants is currently hiring an Executive Chef. Floating atop the landmark Meier & Frank Building, Departure's ambitious menu captivates diners with its' masterful remix of authentic coastal cuisines. From street food-styled starters to meal-sized classics, rice and noodle specialties to market-fresh sushi, Departure embraces the bounty of the Pacific Northwest and uses the freshest ingredients to deliver the fiery flavors of the Far East.

As part of Sage Restaurant Group, we focus on building "independent" restaurants and lounges bordering our hotels in prime locations. We connect with the people that live and work in the communities we serve by providing highly designed, innovative, locally focused food and beverage experiences. Surrounded by farms, forests and the ocean, Portland is one of America’s booming food cities with year-round Farmers’ markets and artisans creating and making some of the most delicious goods in America.

Join our fun, exciting, and fast-paced staff at one of the best restaurants in town.

Plan and manage the kitchen staff in the procurement, production, preparation and presentation of all food for the hotel in a safe, sanitary work environment which conforms to all standards and regulations and achieves profitable, competitive, quality products.

• Position is responsible for long and short term planning and day-to-day operations of the kitchen and related areas.
• Recommends menu and procedural changes.
• Recommends the budget and manages food and labor costs within approved budget constraints.
• Performs all essential functions while adhering to all SOP's and future food programs to ensure a consistent, quality product.
• Manage associates and managers in the kitchen in order to attract, retain and motivate the employees while providing a safe environment; hire, train, develop, empower, coach and counsel, conduct performance and salary reviews, resolve problems, provide open communication vehicles and discipline and terminate as appropriate.
• Plan and manage the procurement, production, preparation and presentation of all food in the hotel in a safe, sanitary, cost effective manner.
• Monitor and control the maintenance/sanitation of kitchen, equipment and related areas to ensure a healthy, safe work environment which meets/exceeds federal, state, corporate and franchise standards and regulations.
• Develop, recommend, implement and manage the department's budget; continually analyze, forecast, monitor and control the labor and food costs through various methods to meet/exceed management/budget objectives.
• Develop and implement menus and back-up (use records, production lists, pars, training, etc.) within corporate guidelines to continually improve revenues and profit margins while maintaining quality.
• Execute and promote the Accident Prevention Program to minimize liabilities and related expenses.

Education/Formal Training

More than two years of post high school education, but less than a degree from a four-year college.

Experience

Experience required by position is five to ten years of employment in a related position with this company or other organization(s).

Knowledge/Skills

Requires advanced knowledge of the principles and practices within the food profession. This includes experiential knowledge required for management of people and/or complex problems and food and beverage management.

• Requires oral and written communication skills.
• Must have moderate hearing to communicate with employees and to hear machinery, for safety reasons.
• Must have excellent vision, for safety reasons.
• Must have moderate speech communications skills to communicate with other employees.
• Must have excellent comprehension and literacy to read and write, as well as analyze to fulfill budget.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Lifting objects, 30-35 pounds, 3 to 5 times during the course of the shift (i.e. top round, prime rib, frozen boxes).
• Carrying, (ranging from clipboard to food products to small equipment).
• Kneeling -during times of inspections for proper cleanliness and monitoring once a week, as well as during lifting.
• Full mobility is required in order to usually inspect and monitor the kitchen environment.
• Continuous standing -while expediting, or cooking or inspecting. Anywhere from brief periods (15 minutes) to longer periods (1 hour). At least 50% of the day.

Environment

Inside 100% of 8 hour shift. Going in the freezer temperatures can be -10 degrees. On the front line, temperatures can be over 100 degrees.

• Medical, dental, & vision insurance for full-time associates
• Health savings and flexible spending accounts
• Basic Life and AD&D insurance
• Company-paid short-term disability
• Paid time off for vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Eligible to participate in the Company’s 401(k) program with employer matching
• Employee assistance program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Great discounts on Hotels, Restaurants, and much more.

Bold. Bright. Caring. Energetic. Driven. Strategic. Daring. To deliver the type of outstanding experience we aim to provide our guests, we need remarkable individuals who are passionate and committed to making a difference. If this sounds like you, then explore the career positions at Sage Hospitality that await you.