Location: USA –Napa, CA Type: Non-Management
Category: Hotel/Resort, Kitchen
At La Toque Restaurant and Bank Café, creating exceptional and memorable guest experiences is our highest mission. Pairing wine and food is our passion. We start by using seasonal ingredients sourced from our network of local artisan producers and growers. Our devotion to using only the finest seasonal ingredients in creative and artful ways is manifest on every plate. Our commitment to responsibly grown and ethically produced foods will leave you feeling renewed. If this resonates with you, we look forward to receiving your application.
Responsibilities: A La Toque Cook 1 is an experienced and advanced cook that will have fully masters all stations of the La Toque kitchen and be able to move ambidextrously from one station to the next at any time. A La Toque Cook 1 will also be an entry level leadership position where they assist the chefs in training other cooks, ordering, supervising closing duties and developing their leadership and management skills. The La Toque Cook 1 will provide and maintain high quality standards and procedures in preparing and serving food while keeping the kitchen clean, safe and a sanitary environment in which to work. This role will contribute to the organization as an active business partner that is responsible for supporting the company's goals, objectives, vision, mission, and values.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Major areas of responsibility/ management include, but are not limited to:
o Responsible for preparation of all restaurant foods, hot and cold, that meet specifications, guarantees and pays attention to detail with plate presentation.
o Maintain solid knowledge of all food products, sanitation standards, and all policies/ procedures and is able to skillfully apply culinary techniques.
o Working as a team and effectively communicating with management, chefs, and service staff in order to fulfill and address any issues or needs requested by guests and or associates.
o Ensuring requisitions are processed properly and placed in designated area, assist in lowering food cost and waste, properly label and date all products to ensure safekeeping and sanitation, read and expedite computer tickets for service, produce production list to ensure efficient execution of service, conduct inventory on a regular basis to ensure proper par levels and assist Chef, Assistant Chef, Cooks, Pantry workers, and Kitchen Helpers as needed in the execution of service.
o Constant growth through training, learning and mentoring is a daily activity.
o The guest experience revolves around the food appearance, quality and overall dining experience.
Physical Demands: Most work tasks are performed indoors. Temperature generally is moderate and controlled by hotel environmental systems; however, must be able to work in extreme temperatures like freezers (-10°F) and kitchens (+110°F), possibly for one hour or more. Ability to physically handle knives, pots, lift and carry same from shelves and otherwise transport up to 50 pounds to every area of the kitchen or storeroom. Proper usage and handling of various kitchen machinery to include slicers, buffalo chopper, grinders, mixers, and other kitchen related equipment. Ability to physically self-demonstrate culinary techniques, i.e., cutting, cooking principles, plate presentation, safety and sanitation practices. Must be able to push and pull carts and equipment weighing up to 200 lbs. occasionally. Must be able to bend, stoop, squat and stretch to fulfill cleaning tasks occasionally. Requires grasping, writing, standing, sitting, walking, repetitive motions, bending, climbing, listening and hearing ability and visual acuity.
General Skills and Description: o High school or equivalent education required
o Minimum of 1-year cooking experience
o Fine Dining experience strongly preferred
o Culinary Degree from an accredited culinary program
o Ability to communicate clearly and speak, read, write and understand English
The Westin brand is built on four unique differences - tradition, distinctive hotels, products and service. We look for 'people who make the difference', a Westin legacy where associates deliver a consistent and memorable level of service all the time.
