Camp Navarro is seeking a talented and dynamic Event Catering Head Chef. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in executing both catering at scale in addition to restaurant and more intimate, fine dining offerings. Experience with wood fired pizza ovens, as well as other forms of active/fire cooking, are major considerations to accompany traditional kitchen meal planning and execution. Showcasing Cal/Med cooking and other ethnic flavors is part of our vision and the preferred candidate is excited to build a world-class food program appropriate for our wine country venue with mainly a Bay Area clientele that knows and enjoys food and wine. This candidate is personable and represents Camp Navarro well with guests, staff and vendors, a highly organized, effective people manager with experience leading complex operations with a passion for nature, environmental stewardship.

This position is a year round, exempt role which includes competitive compensation, health benefit provisions, 401K, and paid time off accrual. Housing available.
This opportunity provides the opportunity to work with a diverse range of clientele and co-workers, and the joy of creating truly unique events in a stunning location!
The Camp Navarro Mission:
We invite people to experience nature and community by hosting inspired events and nightly stays while practicing responsible stewardship.
All employees are expected to understand and support our mission, which describes our relationship to our guests, fellow employees and our extraordinary natural environment.
Purpose :
The Event Catering Head Chef is responsible for production of the highest quality food and beverage for Camp Navarro’s diverse clientele and events. The Event Catering Head Chef works with the culinary staff and leads the daily shift operations of the main kitchen and assists in the operations of all satellite food and beverage outlets in accordance with the budget expectations, safety and quality standards, and policies of Camp Navarro.

Essential Duties:

The competencies listed below are an overview of the essential duties and measures required to be successful in the position. The listed examples do not include all tasks which may be expected within this job description.

Culinary Management:

Critical Tasks:

• Adept at large group catering and recipe scaling upwards of 350 within dietary allergen restrictions and dietary preferences to include Gluten Free, Vegan and Vegetarian meals offerings.

• Works with culinary staff and directs all culinary operations at Camp Navarro, including: Main kitchen, Meadow Café and outdoor pizza oven

• Practices and directs correct food safety, handling, and food storage procedures according to federal, state, local and company regulations; ensures all Camp Navarro employees comply with regulatory requirements for food safety

• Maintains a comprehensive inventory management system including purchase and cost tracking, regularly scheduled physical counts, waste log, and stringent receiving processes

• Maintains product consistency by conducting regular assessment of all aspects of food and beverage production, storage, and service

• Anticipates and identifies item shortages by maintaining pars and conducting multi-day/weekly ordering

• Monitors and logs all wasted/discarded inventory in the Food Waste Log

• Reviews delivery invoices from purveyors for accuracy and ensures ordering practices remain within budget and company policies..

• Ensures kitchen staff adhere to all Camp Navarro Kitchen SOPS and policies

• Provides mentorship and training to kitchen team members

• Works collaboratively with the culinary team to maintain the cleanliness and sanitation standards of Camp Navarro food production and service operations

• Capable of overseeing successful HACCP plan

• Knowledge of traditional and specialty cooking techniques

• Ability to operate commercial kitchen equipment

• Adheres to company policies and procedures, laws including health and safety standards.

• Adheres to location appearance guidelines

• Acts with a sense of urgency and safety

Measures:

• Timely completion of all assigned tasks and meal service

• Reporting and program deadlines are met

• Makes timely and sound decisions

• Guest and meeting planner satisfaction with food quality

• Streamlined and high performing culinary staff built on the pillars of food safety, product quality, product consistency, and timely execution.

Critical Tasks:

• Work closely with the Event Manager and FOH to execute the meal service on time and facilitate communication between the front and back of the house to execute with efficient service.

• Supports recruiting efforts, trains, supervises, schedules staff and actively/collaboratively participates and works with service team members in all day-to-day culinary and beverage production and in order to develop high performing teams within approved CN budgets

• Sets and monitors performance standards for culinary staff by being highly visible and active in the production of all food provisions.

• Maintains appropriate staffing levels based on budget goals, business levels, and upcoming occupancy or group demand

• Ensures all guests are quickly and politely greeted

• Meets and exceeds co-workers’ expectations by providing excellent service and teamwork

• Communicates effectively with customers, co-workers, and supervisors

• Reports all problems or matters of significance to include, but not limited to, all staffing needs and incidents, all operational challenges and inconsistencies, and any other situation which might otherwise affect employee or guest experience to the General Operations Manager.

• Attends and is properly prepared for all appropriate company meetings and training sessions.

• Holds daily and weekly meetings to ensure smooth running of all kitchen operations.

• Reports any equipment in need of repair or replacement to the Maintenance Department in a timely manner.

• Fosters and promotes a cooperative and harmonious environment for a favorable image of Camp Navarro by maintaining and exceeding expectations for relationships with all Camp Navarro employees, management, and public (including vendors and contractors) by providing excellent service, top tier communication, and teamwork at all times

• Attends all appropriate company meetings and training sessions

• Understands and executes emergency procedures in accordance with Camp Navarro standards

• Projects a favorable image of Camp Navarro to the public at all times

Measures:

• Achieves high workforce productivity and fosters a positive and supportive professional environment while also maintaining high customer service satisfaction

• Camp Navarro brand is exemplified and the company culture is demonstrated on a daily basis

• Respect and recognition by staff as a role model and respected contributor.

Qualifications and Standards:

Experience: :

• Minimum of 5 years professional culinary operations and catering experience to include:

• Proven experience in high volume banquet or catering food production at scale

• Experience cooking Cal Med cuisine

• Must have broad food knowledge and staff management capabilities.

• Professional culinary operations experience with wood fired ovens, BBQ other forms of active/fire cooking

Qualifications:

• Current California Food Safety Manager Certification

• Must possess excellent attention to detail, a high level or organization, the ability to multitask, and re-prioritize to meet deadlines on multiple projects

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Strong passion for culinary and hospitality excellence

• In-depth skills and knowledge of all kitchen operations

• Extensive knowledge of menu development, cost and wage control

• Capable of producing a consistent product in a timely manner

• Resilient in stressful situations and able to handle last minute requests

• Exceptional customer service and leadership skills

• Demonstrates ability to understand and effectively implement written and verbal instructions

• Strong team orientation and ability to work with any department to accomplish assigned tasks

• Ability to quickly problem solve and make sensible decisions.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and recognition by others as a respected member of the team

• Must be able to speak, read, write and understand the primary language(s) used in the workplace

• Maintains regular attendance, is consistently on time and complies with all Camp Navarro standards

• Scheduling flexibility to meet operational needs

• Current Driver’s License

Physical Requirements:

• Able to perform all essential duties with or without accommodation

• Pushing/Pulling: Average weight 40lbs constantly

• Lifting/Carrying: Average weight 40lbs constantly

• Standing/Walking: Constantly. Standing/walking the majority of scheduled shift

• Kneeling/Crawling: Occasionally. Completing tasks throughout the Camp

• Reaching: Constantly

Camp Navarro is Northern California's premier 'back to nature' hospitality property, and is available for corporate retreats, weddings, festivals, conferences, camps and other creative events and transient hotel bookings. Camp Navarro is ideally situated in the coastal redwoods between the Anderson Valley wine country and the spectacular Mendocino coast. The property features 32 cabins, 75 idyllic 'glamping' style lodging and camping units, a 10,000 square foot main lodge, and countless outdoor areas for dining, sports and activities. The team at Camp Navarro shares a passion for nature, environmental stewardship, and the protection and conservation of precious natural resources.