Sous Chef - W Florence

Job description

ABOUT THE BRAND

W Hotels’ mission is to Ignite Curiosity, Expand Worlds. We are a place to experience life. We’re here to open doors and open minds. With us, there’s always more. We dare to deliver a different kind of luxury. One that revels in bold ideas and indulges in the unexpected. We believe luxury is the freedom to be yourself and explore desires: whatever, whenever. Let go, let loose - that’s half the fun.

ABOUT THE PROPERTY

Florence’s old Grand Hotel Majestic will be opening in the first quarter of 2025. It will be transformed into the Tuscan city’s newly opening W Florence. After its debut in Rome last December, with the W Rome-Marriott just off central Via Veneto, Marriott’s luxury lifestyle brand.  

Located steps from Florence’s world-renowned art, thriving dining scene and celebrated shopping destination Via de’Tornabuoni, W Florence is well-situated to offer guests the very best of the city at their doorstep. The hotel will feature 120 guestrooms, including 20 suites. The Extreme WOW Suite, W’s take on the Presidential Suite, will offer a large living space and private terrace with stunning views across the Duomo and the Santa Maria Novella church. Adding rare and much-sought-after inside and outside living spaces, the ground floor, which will house the W Lounge and Living Room, will seamlessly blend around a central partially covered courtyard.

 

JOB SUMMARY

Accountable for overall success of the daily kitchen operations. Exhibits culinary talents by personally performing tasks while leading the staff and managing all food related functions. Works to continually improve guest and employee satisfaction while maintaining the operating budget. Supervises all kitchen areas to ensure a consistent, high quality product is produced. Responsible for guiding and developing staff including direct reports. Must ensure sanitation and food standards are achieved.

 

CANDIDATE PROFILE 

 

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED; 4 years experience in the culinary, food and beverage, or related professional area.

OR

• 2-year degree from an accredited university in Culinary Arts, Hotel and Restaurant Management, or related major; 2 years experience in the culinary, food and beverage, or related professional area.

 

CORE WORK ACTIVITIES

 

Ensuring Culinary Standards and Responsibilities are Met

• Manages kitchen shift operations and ensures compliance with all Food & Beverage policies, standards and procedures.

• Estimates daily production needs on a weekly basis and communicates production needs to kitchen personnel daily.

• Assists Executive Chef with all kitchen operations and preparation.

• Prepares and cooks foods of all types, either on a regular basis or for special guests or functions.

• Develops, designs, or creates new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

• Assists in determining how food should be presented and creates decorative food displays.

• Maintains purchasing, receiving and food storage standards.

• Ensures compliance with food handling and sanitation standards.

• Performs all duties of kitchen managers and employees as necessary.

• Recognizes superior quality products, presentations and flavor.

• Ensures compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

• Follows proper handling and right temperature of all food products.

• Operates and maintains all department equipment and reports malfunctions.

• Checks the quality of raw and cooked food products to ensure that standards are met.

 

Leading Kitchen Operations

• Supervises and coordinates activities of cooks and workers engaged in food preparation.

• Leads shifts while personally preparing food items and executing requests based on required specifications.

• Utilizes interpersonal and communication skills to lead, influence, and encourage others; advocates sound financial/business decision making; demonstrates honesty/integrity; leads by example.

• Encourages and builds mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

• Serves as a role model to demonstrate appropriate behaviors.

• Maintains the productivity level of employees.

• Ensures employees understand expectations and parameters.

• Establishes and maintains open, collaborative relationships with employees and ensures employees do the same within the team.

• Ensures property policies are administered fairly and consistently.

• Communicates performance expectations in accordance with job descriptions for each position.

• Recognizes success performance and produces desired results.

 

Ensuring Exceptional Customer Service

• Provides services that are above and beyond for customer satisfaction and retention.

• Manages day-to-day operations, ensuring the quality, standards and meeting the expectations of the customers on a daily basis.

• Sets a positive example for guest relations.

• Empowers employees to provide excellent customer service.

• Interacts with guests to obtain feedback on product quality and service levels.

• Handles guest problems and complaints.

 

Maintaining Culinary Goals

• Achieves and exceeds goals including performance goals, budget goals, team goals, etc.

• Develops specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

• Utilizes the Labor Management System to effectively schedule to business demands and for tracking of employee time and attendance.

• Trains employees in safety procedures.

 

Managing and Conducting Human Resource Activities 

• Identifies the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

• Improves service by communicating and assisting individuals to understand guest needs, providing guidance, feedback, and individual coaching when needed.

• Participates in the employee performance appraisal process, providing feedback as needed.

• Brings issues to the attention of the department manager and Human Resources as necessary.

 

Additional Responsibilities 

• Provides information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

• Analyzes information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

• Attends and participates in all pertinent meetings.

 

 

Marriott International is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive, people-first culture. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, such as disability and veteran status, or any other basis covered under applicable law.

W Hotels’ mission is to Ignite Curiosity, Expand Worlds. We are a place to experience life. We’re here to open doors and open minds. We are constantly inspired by new faces and new experiences. A tuned-in, up-for-anything spirit is at our core and has made us renowned for reinventing the norms of luxury around the globe. Whatever/Whenever is our culture and service philosophy that brings our guests’ passions to life. If you are original, innovative, and always looking towards the future of what’s possible, welcome to W Hotels. In joining W Hotels, you join a portfolio of brands with Marriott International. Be where you can do your best work,​ begin  your purpose,  belong  to an amazing global​ team, and  become  the best version of you.