posted December 15, 2024

Banquet Chef

Compensation: n/a

Job Description

Banquet Chef – Cheeca Lodge & Spa - Elevate Culinary Excellence in the Heart of the Florida Keys

Join Our Banquet Culinary Team:
Cheeca Lodge & Spa, a premier luxury resort in Islamorada, FL, renowned for hosting elegant oceanfront weddings and exceptional corporate events, is seeking an experienced Banquet Sous Chef. This role focuses on planning, organizing, and overseeing all culinary aspects of our banquet department, ensuring superior food quality and seamless event execution. From intimate beach weddings to large-scale corporate gatherings, you'll create memorable dining experiences that align with our reputation for excellence.

Guest & Event Management:

  • Ensure guest satisfaction with the quality, consistency, and presentation of banquet menu items.
  • Collaborate with event planners and clients to customize menus that enhance the unique ambiance of each occasion.
  • Train banquet staff on menu details and service expectations for each event.
  • Be present during events to address guest needs and ensure service excellence.

Culinary Management/Production:

  • Lead daily operations of the banquet kitchen.
  • Oversee the preparation of all banquet dishes, ensuring consistency in flavor, temperature, and presentation.
  • Develop and execute creative, seasonal menus that reflect current culinary trends and the resort's standards.
  • Ensure proper mise en place, stock levels, and timely preparation for all banquet events.
  • Conduct regular training to maintain a high level of culinary skill among the team.

Culinary Expertise:

  • Demonstrate mastery of modern buffet presentation and large-scale food production techniques.
  • Design personalized, creative food displays and amenities tailored to each event.
  • Incorporate current culinary trends and techniques into banquet offerings.

Financial Management:

  • Control food costs and labor expenses by scheduling efficiently and managing inventory.
  • Ensure portion consistency and accurate purchasing decisions to maximize profitability.
  • Train staff on the economic impact of waste reduction and portion control.

Requirements:

  • Experience in a 5-star/5-diamond establishment or luxury resort setting.
  • Proven leadership experience in banquet or large-scale culinary operations.
  • Exceptional organizational and communication skills.
  • Creative approach to menu development and event execution.
  • Proficiency in kitchen operations, including inventory control, food safety, and equipment maintenance.

Benefits Include:

  • 401(k) with employer matching.
  • Employer Paid Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance.
  • AD&D insurance.
  • Dental, health, and vision insurance.
  • Pet Insurance.
  • Employee discounts at Northwood Hospitality properties.
  • Flexible spending and health savings accounts.
  • Life insurance.
  • Paid time off.

Why Join Cheeca Lodge & Spa?
As a Banquet Sous Chef at Cheeca Lodge & Spa, you'll have the unique opportunity to lead and innovate in an environment that values creativity and excellence. Join a world-class team dedicated to delivering exceptional culinary experiences for weddings, corporate events, and special occasions in the picturesque setting of the Florida Keys. Apply today and make your mark in one of the most stunning destinations in the hospitality industry!

For more information about our event venues and services, please visit our weddings and meetings & events pages.

Cheeca Lodge and Spa

214 Room Hotel

WELCOME TO CHEECA

A Legendary Tropical Hideaway

Since 1946 the historic Cheeca Lodge & Spa has enchanted guests with world-class fishing, exceptional accommodations, and gracious hospitality. Come experience this lush oceanfront retreat, considered the premier luxury resort in the Florida Keys.

The Legend of Our Grand Florida Keys Hotel Resort

You've found it...the crown jewel of Islamorada Florida Keys hotels. 

Hardy Keys pioneers called Conchs chose this very beach to carve out a tenacious living in the isolated beauty of the undiscovered Florida Keys. Here, they formed a Methodist congregation and built a two-room school house and a cemetery. Cheeca has preserved this Pioneer Cemetery, where members of the founding families of Islamorada are buried. You can explore it today; it is a designated historical site. The Angel with the Broken Wing watches over the grave of Etta Pinder, who died in 1914. Here lies the first footprint of Islamorada – "Purple Isle" in Spanish.

The early 1940's brought electricity and fresh water. Mrs. Clara Mae Downey from Olney, Maryland, opened the Olney Inn in 1946. She described this early bellwether of Cheeca as "different – rather comparable to the tropical estate of a gifted host." Clara's first guest was President Harry Truman, who cherished his time loafing around the pool and wondering amidst the resort's 22 quaint bungalows. 

Fast horses, high society and a healthy dose of Keys vivacity marked the reign of the Twitchell Family in the 1960's. Cynthia, better known as "Chee," was an heiress to the A&P grocery chain and owner of a top thoroughbred racing farm. "We took my nickname, combined it with my husband Carl's, and came up with "Cheeca," she recalled. The Twitchells completely refurbished the property, adding the main lodge, the oceanfront villas, tennis courts, golf course and Cheeca's trademark wooden fishing pier. Chee raised miniature tarpon and her beloved seahorses in the aquariums throughout the resort. "Suzy the Seahorse" became Cheeca's mascot and logo, gracing the resort's menus, brochures, towels and linens.

Avid outdoorsman and Coca Cola magnate Carl Navarre purchased Cheeca Lodge in 1976, hosting his Fortune 500 friends in for sunny days of sportfishing and golf. Celebrities flocked to the hotel and famous guests were reeling in giant bonefish right off the resort's pier. The "Sportfishing Capital of the World" was born, seducing wealthy adventurers from around the world.

In 2005, Cheeca Lodge underwent over $30 million dollars in renovations, restoring the property and its surrounding grounds to their original grandeur, ensuring that we will be a cherished destination for generations to come. Following a fire on New Year's Eve 2008, the Main Lodge was completely rebuilt once again, with a fabulous open-air lobby, a spectacular oceanfront banquet room with panoramic views, and an exclusive indoor / outdoor lounge area for club members.