Sous Chef at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Job Description

Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club has been awarded Africa’s leading hotel in 2022, 2023 and 2024 by the World Travel Awards. We are looking to grow our team and engage a highly motivated and passionate Sous Chef who will work closely with the team to drive and deliver on the Fairmont promise, turning moments into special memories.

This position is responsible for assisting in supervising the overall kitchen operations, ensuring maximum guest satisfaction through planning, organizing, directing and  controlling the kitchen operation and  administration. Ensuring all standards as set by the hotel and  regulated by local authorities, as well as all hygiene, cost control systems are followed and  maintained. At the same time to work closely with Executive Chef  and other operational departments.

Key Areas of Responsibility

Kitchen Operations

• Assign in detail, specific duties to all employees under your supervision and instruct them in their work, in order to manage the daily kitchen operation, quality control and food hygiene.
• Ensuring creative menu planning, all recipes and product yields are accurately costed, reviewed regularly, as well as MEP is done according to recipes, portion control and waste minimization.
• Ensure that food stock levels within the culinary department areas are of sufficient quantity and quality in relevance to the hotel occupancy and forecasts.
• To work in close conjunction with the Food and Beverage manager and respective and teams, to create a yearly marketing plan for the outlet.
• Check the taste, temperature and visual appeal of food items prepared to ensure that the quality and portion are consistent and as per specifications set out.
• Leading by example on all hygiene requirements (safe personal hygiene and sanitary food-handling practices, labelling and FIFO/FEFO practices)
• Ensure that all safety, health, security and loss control policies and procedures and government legislation are adhered to
• Practice strict control of food portioning and  wastage, ensuring gross food profitability

Guest and Service Delivery

• Interacts with guests to obtain feedback on product quality and service levels
• Responds to and handles guest problems and complaints and  reports always to senior
• Provides guidance to junior kitchen staff members, including, but not limited, to line cooking, food preparation, and dish plating.

Leading others

• Work closely with leaders to understand all financial budgets and goals and deliverables
• Manage and provide leadership to all subordinate such as Chef De Partie, Commis as well as stewarding and ensure adherence to all company and hotel policies and procedures at all times.
• Project a positive and motivated attitude amongst all colleagues and conduct regular team meetings where active attendance is key.
• Ensure positive and constructive feedback on work performance is given to encourage a positive and eager environment.
• Learn to coach and counsel employees in a timely manner, in accordance with company policies,
• Ensure that weekly work schedules are administered in anticipation of business levels, operating budgets and service standards, furthermore that public holiday and  annual leave planners are very proactive and  regularly reviewed in order to avoid extensive accrual and  all are file correctly as per standards set by hotel and local authorities.
• Follow guidelines provided in colleague handbook.
• Set example to others on personal hygiene and cleanliness on and off duty.
• Perform other reasonable duties as assigned
• Interface the needs/requirements of other departments with the kitchen: chef’s office, engineering, food and beverage, security, finance, talent and culture, stewarding and food safety hygiene.

Qualifications

• College Diploma or Degree  in Culinary Arts preferred
• Minimum of four (4)years relevant experience in similar culinary management position, preferably in similar operations style and luxury property
• Strong working knowledge with computer, MS office, Opera, MC and Futurelog
• Good reading, writing and oral proficiency in English language
• Passionate, energetic and self-motivated individual who can deliver exceptional performance.
• Excellent culinary and organizational skills.
• A team player with communication and interpersonal skills.

Additional Information

• Employee benefit card offering discounted rates in Accor worldwide
• Learning programs through our Academies
• Opportunity to develop your talent and grow within your property and across the world!
• Ability to make a difference through our Corporate Social Responsibility activities
• Be part of creating the historic story of rehabilitating and releasing the rare Mountain Bongo that was heading toward extinction.
• Working with a hotel rich in history and known for exemplary services while growing your career
• Work and learn in a mgical luxury property