Lead Prep + Executive Chef for Boutique Catering Company

Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering and Songbird Parlour are looking for an experienced and motivated Lead Prep/Kitchen Manager, On-Call Event Chef and Executive Chef for the upcoming busy-season! Women-owned and operated, globally inspired, and locally sourced, Goodness Gracious and Songbird Parlour focus on preparing and executing unique wine country experiences including small private dinners, to more elaborate mid-sized weddings, cooking classes, farm dinners, and more.

LEAD PREP/KITCHEN MANAGER

Job Overview

As the Lead Prep Manager, you'll lead in organizing and preparing high-quality food for events and private chef experiences. Your responsibilities include following recipes accurately, managing and ordering inventory, supervising some kitchen staff, and coordinating with the Chef to maintain high standards of food quality and safety.

Lead Prep Responsibilities and Experience

- Knowledge of classic knife cuts and proficient knife skills

- Experience in preparing a variety of dishes, including appetizers, salads, sauces, dressings, pickles/ferments and stocks

- Expertise in preparing and portioning ingredients in advance for efficient service

- Experience in batch cooking and medium-scale food production

- Ability to work quickly and efficiently under time constraints

- Knowledge of proper food storage and labeling techniques to ensure all ingredients are organized and easily accessible

- Following recipes accurately to ensure consistency in flavor and presentation across all dishes prepared.

- Maintaining a clean and sanitized work environment, including washing dishes and storing food items property to prevent contamination and spoilage

- Assists the chef with various tasks as needed

- Communicating effectively with the chef, event chefs, and dishwasher to coordinate tasks and ensure smooth operations

- Being flexible and adaptable to changing menus or last-minute requests from clients

- Working efficiently to meet deadlines and maintain the pace of during busy weeks

Kitchen Management Responsibilities

- Managing inventory and procurement from vendors

- Refining existing recipes to ensure high-quality and accuracy

- Supervising the dishwasher: delegating tasks, providing guidance, and fostering a positive work environment.

- Conducting regular inspections of food prep areas, storage facilities, and equipment to uphold quality standards.

- Staying updated on industry trends, new cooking techniques, and emerging ingredients.

- Seeking feedback from staff to identify areas for improvement and implementing changes to enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications Include

- A degree or certificate from a culinary institute, community college, or vocational school is preferred, but relevant work experience suffices.

- Previous experience working in a professional kitchen, preferably a catering kitchen, is required.

- Strong attention to detail is crucial for accurately following recipes, managing inventory, and procurement.

- Some level of creativity and culinary flair for contributing ideas to menu development or adapting recipes to suit client preferences or dietary restrictions.

- Naturally detail-oriented but creatively driven

- The personality, energy, and charisma to inspire, lead and develop a committed team

- Ability to work efficiently under pressure and manage time effectively to meet deadlines, especially during busy weeks.

- Strong teamwork and communication skills are essential for collaborating with other kitchen staff to ensure smooth operations.

- Good physical stamina and endurance to stand for long periods, lift heavy objects, and perform repetitive tasks in a kitchen environment.

- The ability to both take and give direction, and a strong understanding of chain-of-command

- A positive attitude, willingness to learn, and passion for food are important qualities that contribute to a successful Lead Prep/Kitchen Manager.

$23-$25/hr

30-40/hrs per week

Perks and Benefits

Excellent work-life integration with an emphasis on mental health, happiness, and overall well-being of our staff and their families

Career development and opportunity for limitless growth within the company

Paid Sick Leave

Major Holidays Off

To apply, please submit your resume with references

ON-CALL EVENT CHEF

The Perfect Candidates

Are located within the Sonoma/Napa County, and/or surrounding cities in order to start immediately upon hire

Have at least 5 years of experience or equivalent working in a chef position, ideally in a leadership role, and ideally operating within a similar culinary philosophy

Experience working off-site and/or catering events

Flexibility in schedule and a desire to work around 1-4 events per week during the busy season, including prep, organizing, cleaning, and inventory of the catering kitchen

A passion for using seasonal, local ingredients

Experience in, or a willingness to learn, a more organic, free-form, and effortless plating style that has the ability to highlight the simple perfection of the dish

Ability to both take and give direction as needed and a strong understanding of chain of command

A creative mind that can execute delicious local dishes, using a stem-to-root/nose-to-tail philosophy, while being able to problem solve in an ever-changing and growing environment

A self-starter, energized individual who has the ability to work well with an array of personalities

A Typical Week for our Chefs Include

Occasional menu development and coordination with other Chefs on staff

Daily kitchen duties

Occasional pick up of local ingredients

Preparation and execution of off-site, or on-site catering events

Pay and Benefits

Guaranteed gratuity on every event plus frequent additional cash tips

Mileage reimbursement for events outside of our service area

Excellent work-life integration with an emphasis on mental health, happiness, and overall well-being of our staff and their families

Career development and opportunity for limitless growth within the company

Paid Sick Leave

Major Holidays Off

Paid vacation for full-time employment

Pay is determined based on experience. Please include your resume, and a cover letter to let us know why you think you would be a good fit for the position. We would ideally also like to see some examples of your work. Feel free to include a link to your Instagram or embed pictures within a document included in your resume. We look forward to hearing from you!

Goodness Gracious and Songbird Management

Job Type: On-Call

Pay: $27.00 - $30.00 per hour

EXECUTIVE CHEF

The Perfect Candidate

- Creative, guest-facing individual, comfortable in FOH and BOH

- Is located within the Sonoma/Napa County, and/or surrounding cities in order to start immediately upon hire

- Has at least 5 years of experience or equivalent working in a chef position, ideally in a leadership role

- Experience working in off-site catering

- Ability to both take and give direction as needed

- Demonstrated Front-of House and Back-of-House experience with an emphasis on Fine Dining.

- Excellent presentation skills and ability to speak in front of a large group with confidence is essential.

- Demonstrated ability to work as a team player that can multitask and work efficiently in high volume or high-pressure situations.

- Extreme attention to detail and accuracy.

- Must be highly organized, productive, and be able to work with limited supervision.

- Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work within constantly changing priorities with enthusiasm.

- Commitment to excellence and high standards.

- Passion, enthusiasm, focus, creativity, and a positive outlook.

- Excited about career growth within the company including being involved in publishing a cookbook, online cooking courses, pop-up concepts, and more.

Responsibilities

- Manages a kitchen staff of 3-4

- Recommends menu and procedural changes.

- Plan and manage the procurement, production, preparation and presentation of all food

- Develop and implement menus and back-up (use records, production lists, pars, training, etc.)

- Communicates daily with General Manager for updates, changes, and revisions to existing contracts.

- Maintains communication with all departments to ensure customer service needs are met.

- Establish and maintain a regular cleaning and maintenance scheduled for all kitchen areas and equipment.

- Responsible for human resource actions such as hiring, firing, and discipline

- Schedule staff and assist in human resources processes as needed

- Reports on food cost, labor costs, and general departmental updates with the General Manager and owner on a regular basis.

Pay: $80,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits

- Paid vacation

- Guaranteed gratuity + frequent cash tips

- Most major and minor holidays off

- Fuel reimbursement

- Professional development opportunities

-Travel allowances

- Education reimbursements

and more

Please include the following in your application for Executive Chef,

-Cover letter to let us know why you think you would be a good fit for the position.

-What or who inspires you when creating in the kitchen?

-As a chef, what is your culinary philosophy?

We would ideally also like to see some examples of your work. Feel free to include a link to your Instagram or send along some pictures of menus you have helped develop.

Thank you and we look forward to hearing from you!

Goodness Gracious and Songbird Parlour Management