Conway Farms Golf Club opened for play on August 3, 1991 and immediately make an impact in the club community. The Tom Fazio award-wining course sits on 209 acres in Lake Forest, Illinois and is designed around the traditions of Scottish links golf.
The origins of Conway Farms Golf Club trace back to three Lake Forest families whose love for golf was exceeded only by their foresight. Their vision for a first rank golf club began with the purchase in 1956 of a farm straddling a stretch of old Conway Road, thus giving rise to the name Conway Farms. Conway is dedicated to the protection and preservation of the game, encouraging walking, fast play and the strong support of amateur golf.
Members and staff alike believe in and support the traditions of golf, the spirit of good sportsmanship and a mutual expression of respect, assuring that Conway Farms will always be “a very special place”. In its short existence, the Club has earned are remarkable reputation in the world of Golf, hosting numerous tournaments including the USGA Junior Amateur Championship, NCAA Men’s Championship and three BMW/FedEx Championships. Likewise, from its origin, the Club has a remarkable reputation for serving amongst the best cuisine in Chicagoland.
Position Summary: The Club is seeking an artisan, mature and skilled Craftsman, and equally strong Business professional, one that is positive, enthusiastic, pliable, and capable of providing strong leadership running a close knit and regarded culinary program. The future Executive Chef must be able to demonstrate teambuilding skills, have a sound foundation with a focus on “Scratch” cookery, local products and proven skills relevant to achieving success in the changing club and culinary world. The Club prefers a career learner, active in industry and ideally a Certified Executive Chef.
Core to CFGC’s Sustained Success:
- A staff that understands and strives to create the highest quality Conway experience.
- Facilities and programs that are in balance with the quality of the golf course.
- A diverse membership and Financial Stability.
- The Club values the staff, and perpetuates a unique family culture of long tenured professionals.
Job Requirements:
- Hands-on, leader in the field, being able to mentor, coach, and direct employees. Employees need to feel empowered under his/her leadership.
- Someone who understands the private club sector and is driven by pride, member satisfaction, and teamwork.
- The ability to handle pressure, creativity to offer a diversity of items, and an approach that facilitates communication and a sense of unity.
- The ability to demonstrate good judgment, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Competent in organization and time management skills.
- The ideal Chef will have “Culinary flair” delivered with a personal touch.
- Willingly provides members with Club favorites menu items and interjects creative and fresh ideas and products.
Key Expectations and Goals:
- The new Chef must be able to produce varying styles and presentations including traditional (comfort club fare), contemporary American, ethnic-influenced cuisines, as well as elaborate, highly detailed VIP events.
- Has an engaging, outgoing personality – one that both staff and membership can relate to and rally around.
- The position requires a proven ability to recruit, hire, and train a high-performing team, crucial to one’s success.
- The new Chef will evaluate current practices and processes and recognize ways to improve current business methods, quality of products, and services provided to the members.
- Develops culinary budgets in conjunction with GM; both capital and operating.
- The Executive Chef evaluates job performance of culinary staff; coaches and counsels to ensure staff is on track. Rewards and disciplines staff in a fair and appropriate manner.
- Develops recipes and techniques for food preparation and presentation which help to ensure a consistently high-quality product.
- Communicates a compelling and consistent vision for the culinary operation. Sets a high-standard for all food service.
- Ensures that all employees maintain high standards of sanitation, cleanliness and safety throughout all kitchen areas at all times.
- Sets the example for professionalism when working and communicating at all levels within the club community.
- Periodically visits dining area when it is open to welcome and interact enthusiastically with membership.
- The new Executive Chef must be able to generate ala carte sales caters to small family gatherings, showers, golf outings, and member weddings in a tent up to 400 guests on the back lawn of the Club.
Job Requirements:
- Hands-on, leader in the field, being able to mentor, coach, and direct employees. Employees need to feel empowered under his/her leadership.
- The ability to recruit, hire, and train a high-caliber staff will be crucial to success.
- Someone who understands the private club sector and is driven by pride, member satisfaction, and teamwork.
- The ability to handle pressure, creativity to offer a diversity of items, and an approach that facilitates communication and a sense of unity.
- Competent in organization and time management skills.
- The ability to demonstrate good judgment, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Additional Information:
- Annual food sales at $950,000; total F&B Sales $1.3M.
- Desired food cost is 38/40%. The sales mix is 60% a la carte and 40% banquets.
- There are 10/12 Total kitchen employees supported by a $490,000 Labor budget.
- The Club supports (1) main kitchen and a separate Pastry Kitchen.
- The Executive Chef is supported by two (2) Sous Chefs and a Pastry Chef. The EC, and his team, sources and procures all foodstuff.
- The Club is open 10 annually.
- The operation is supported by 300 members whose average age is 54.
- The Executive Chef reports to the General Manager and works closely with the Assistant Manager, Beverage Manager Controller and Locker Room Manager as a close knit and cohesive team aimed to accommodate member requests.
- The previous Chef was with the Club six (6) years.
Seventeenth hole at Conway Farms Golf Course photographed in June 2015. ©Charles Cherney Photography
Conway Farms Golf Course photographed in June 2015. ©Charles Cherney Photography
Peaked your interest? The Club offers a competitive compensation plan including a competitive base salary based on experience and skill, performance bonus, ACF dues and Convention, dining allowance, health & life insurance, 401k and other standard perks. Interested individuals should send resumes, a well-conceived cover letter, and supporting information. (A Personal Portfolio is encouraged) in strict confidence. Click Here to upload your information.