Our luxurious Drake Devonshire Inn + lakeside restaurant provides a unique opportunity for an experienced, passionate and innovative culinary professional and inspiring leader who is looking for a rewarding hospitality career with opportunities to learn and advance in an established, high volume kitchen.

The position of Executive Sous Chef, requires a combination of skills and experience that include operational excellence in a high volume business, as well as a proven desire to strive for continuous culinary innovation. The Executive Sous Chef will play an integral role in innovation of our offerings, specials, regular menus, catering and special event programs, ensuring that they remain fresh and exciting.  Working with the Executive Chef, the culinary development will be reflective of the Drake brand and our growth, with a keen eye to responsible cost containment and revenue growth. The successful incumbent will have a passion for the culinary world and current movements, been keen to connect within the community and participate in culinary events that will continue to drive Drake’s culinary brand forward.

We are seeking candidates with a combination of skills and experience that include operational + kitchen management excellence in a high volume business, as well as a proven desire to strive for continuous culinary innovation. The ideal candidate will bring management experience from a similar environment, as well a strong culinary background, staff management, operations, safety and compliance.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Reporting to The Executive Chef, you will play a key role as part of a small, interdependent management team that may include: Culinary, Special Events, Security, Human Resources and Corporate Service departments.

While on shift, your role will include, but not be limited to:

• Understanding, adhering to and executing all kitchen operational policies + procedures, standards and training programs
• Acting as a collaborate member of the Drake Back of House management team, working closely with Special Events, Marketing, F+B FOH and Hotel to create exceptional offerings for our guests and increase Drake’s profile as a dining destination
• Communicating the brand’s vision to all team members and leading by example

• Acting as a keen talent scout for the kitchen, working with HR to recruit, train and mentor new + current kitchen staff and students
• Ensuring a unique and consistent guest dining experience by actively managing the team and resolving issues, should they arise
• Scheduling of kitchen staff to fall within our labour budgets and ensure appropriate coverage in each department
• Responsible for accurate updating of inventory on a monthly basis
• Training, motivating and overseeing a team of approx. 8-15 staff

• Ensuring a unique and consistent guest dining experience by actively managing the team and resolving issues, should they arise
• Supporting the Executive Chef to maintain a strong focus on achieving and/or exceeding revenue targets, within acceptable labor cost, food cost and service standard parameters
• Monitoring and managing service, quality, health + safety and cleanliness
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 5 years of progressive kitchen leadership experience in a fine or casual dining environment
• Demonstrated awareness of and interest in current culinary trends in the marketplace
• Operations management experience in a high volume establishment with significant evening and catering/special events business
• Experienced trainer and mentor to large staff teams
• Demonstrated patience, tact and diplomacy while leading a diverse team of industry professionals
• Ability to multi-task, remain cool and keep up in a fast paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication experience, both verbal & written
• Excellent organizational skills, with timely delivery of all required administrative work
• Flexible to work evenings and weekends and holidays
• Red Seal Certification or equivalent considered a strong asset

WHAT WE OFFER:

We pride ourselves in providing strong leadership and development opportunities for passionate hospitality professionals who are looking to build rewarding, long-term careers. Drake offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, employee discounts, training + development support and many other unique perks as a part of joining the Drake team.