Job Details

Thank you for your interest in becoming part of the Oaklawn Team. We have an extraordinary legacy. We are a family with strong core values, providing a new level of excitement for our guests and Team Members as we aspire to be Arkansas' Employer of Choice.

We are currently seeking a talented individual to become a Racing Chef. An individual could be successful if they possess the following.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Chef is responsible for assisting the Chef in the daily operations of the racing kitchens (Main, Jockey Club, Carousel, etc.) and provides leadership and direction to kitchen personnel including all cooks and dishwashers. Ensures that all recipes, food preparations, and presentations meet specifications and quality. Always presents a friendly and professional image at Oaklawn. The following and other duties may be assigned as necessary:

• Enthusiastically supports, actively promotes, and demonstrates superior customer service in accordance with department and company standards and programs.
• Maintains strict confidentiality in all departmental and company matters.
• Provides impeccable guest service to all guests
• Assists the Chef with overseeing all food storage preparation and production
• Ensures that the proper amounts of food have been prepared in accordance with the production sheets.
• Trains all line cook employees the skills required of their specific position, including but not limited to: the use and care of the equipment, the use of knives and other culinary tools.
• Establishes and enforces nutrition and sanitation standards of cafeteria, kitchen, and related work areas.
• Supervises methods of food preparation and cooking, portion size, and garnishing to ensure food is prepared in a prescribed manner and cost control measures are followed. Tests cooked foods through taste and smell and overall appearance.
• Verifies that kitchen staff follows all recipes and portion servings correctly.
• Ensures that kitchen, dish, and storage areas are clean and organized.
• Places food and supply orders as needed.
• Receives orders and verifies invoices and ensures quality and freshness of merchandise.
• Assists in the creation and planning of menus and daily specials; implements the necessary production changes to attract new business and ensure current guest satisfaction.
• Ensures optimum staffing levels by coordinating the schedules of the staff.
• Maintains a safe, orderly and sanitized kitchen.
• Ensures that all recipes, food preparations and presentations meet restaurant specifications and commitment to quality.
• Achieves financial objectives by monitoring labor and food costs to budgetary requirements.
• Ensures food service outlets functions are executed according to gaming, health, sanitation regulations and established policies and procedures.
• Informs wait staff of any food shortages well in advance of this occurrence. Finds a suitable substitute for the menu item if at all possible.
• Instrumental in organizing an efficient flow of production. Checks all daily events, delegates and follows up.
• Maintains menus and food quality up to standards.
• Ensures the cooks prepare a variety of foods in quantities according to the menu and number of patrons to be served.
• Directs activities to one or more workers assisting with preparing and serving meals.
• Completes required daily financial tools and reports.
• Follows established procedures and policies of the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must be at least 21 years of age.

• Associates Degree in Culinary Arts or related field preferred.
• Minimum of four years culinary cooking experience in a multiple food venue environment preferred.
• One year in a supervisory capacity.
• Experience in a full-service property with multiple food outlets, full service restaurants and knowledge of banquet/catering operations preferred
• Strong knowledge of back of the house operations including foods, beverages, staff supervision, inventory, and food safety
• Must be able to handle several projects and tasks at the same time.
• Must be able to perform the physical job duties of all Food & Beverage team members.
• Must have the ability to interact with guests, staff and colleagues and resolve problems and conflicts in a diplomatic and tactful manner.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has supervisory responsibilities.

• Manages work procedures and expedites workflow.
• Provides coaching and counseling to team members.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents in English, such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Ability to read and communicate verbally in English. Written communication skills in in English may also be required.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Employee must be able to qualify for licenses and permits required by federal, state and local regulations.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and have acceptable driving history as determined by Oaklawn Jockey Club.

OAKLAWN IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

It is Oaklawn's intent to provide a drug-free, healthy, safe and secure environment for our Team Members. All applicants must complete a pre-employment drug screen and background check.