Kitchen Manager (Specializing In Banquets/Events)

We are looking for an experienced Banquet Kitchen Manager to lead daily culinary performance at our three unique operations – The Odyssey Venue, Elements Conference Center, and the Sweet Spot driving range and sports bar.

If you are an enthusiastic hospitality professional who loves providing creative culinary experiences on a large scale, we might be just your place!

Who We Are

Family owned and operated since our beginnings in 1994, our mission is to provide our clients and their guests with an exceptional experience with our hospitality, event space, and catering. The refined ambience and splendor of The Odyssey is evident the moment you walk through our doors. It is altogether small and intimate yet grand and elegant with personalized service and gourmet cuisine that is unequaled in the southern suburbs. We are the top choice for weddings, wedding showers, baby showers, fundraisers and benefits, luncheons, and business events.

The Elements Conference & Banquet Center, conveniently located in Orland Park, IL, is a perfect solution to our guest’s convention, corporate meeting, special occasion, or wedding needs. Elements features over 7,000 square feet of flexible meeting space customized to suit. Our elegant decor, tasteful furnishings, professional service, and courteous staff provide the perfect atmosphere.

What You’ll Be Doing

Our Kitchen Manager reports to Director of Food and Beverage and their primary responsibilities are menu adherence, banquet, and catering execution, this includes on-site at our Event Center, Element’s conference center and our sports bar/driving range Sweet Spot. The Kitchen Manager will work closely with the Sales Team, the Operations Management Team, and the Culinary Team to ensure remarkable events. The Kitchen Manager reports to our Food and Beverage Director to ensure all company values and standards are being met in all aspects of the catering/banquet operations.

Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Responsible for food/menu adherence, culinary team’s execution and managing kitchen systems and processes to the highest standard ensuring that we exceed guest expectations
• Responsible for completing monthly inventory and maintaining food cost to budget
• Responsible for executing food tastings for sales and leadership review/consideration, taking constructive feedback and making requested changes/recipe revisions
• Responsible for executing menus remarkably including utilizing equipment in different venues and developing flow of food service for large events (900+) to small events
• Build and maintain a remarkable culinary team including hiring, training, developing, coaching, and counseling
• Conduct performance reviews and mentor staff
• Lead, motivate and develop team to work cohesively to ensure service meets remarkable standards
• Professional communication with guests, different departments, and leadership on event details, menu performance, cost of goods performance, team performance, etc.
• Responsible for the daily culinary operations of the three outlets
• Lead and hold team accountable to adhere to health and safety standards

Experience, Skills, and Abilities You Have

• 3+ years Sous Chef experience in a hotel/event center environment
• 3+ years executing menus with a variety of cuisines
• Passionate culinarian with great palette and sense of presentation
• Ability to multitask with diligence, speed, and accuracy
• Ability to prioritize, organize and delegate work
• Ability to analyze and resolve problems exercising good judgment
• Computer skills Microsoft Office
• Knowledge of profit and loss statement
• SERV Safe certification required
• Must be available nights, weekends, and some holidays

Our Commitment

The Odyssey Venue fully supports the enhancement of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in our most import asset . . . Our People.

What We Offer

As a commitment to your physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing, The Odyssey offers a competitive salary and benefit package, including medical benefits, paid time off and retirement planning options!

To learn more about Odyssey Venue, Elements Conference and Banquet Center, or the Odyssey Sweet Spot, please visit our websites:

http://www.theodysseyvenue.com/

https://www.elementsconferencecenter.com/

https://www.odysseysweetspot.com/

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Experience level:

• 5 years

Shift:

• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Morning shift

Weekly day range:

• Every weekend
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Application Question(s):

• Please help us create an enticing offer package for this role by letting us know your salary expectations. Thank you in advance for your honesty.

Work Location: In person