The Country Club of New Canaan is a full-service community Club. Founded in 1893, the Club has 600 members and is one of the oldest in the area. The Club by-laws require that members be New Canaan residents, thus ensuring the preservation of its traditions, culture and stature in the community. The Club places a high value on cordial relations at all levels, including the staff.
The Club is currently seeking a new Executive Chef; a passionate culinary professional prepared to build and lead its food and beverage team. The successful candidate must be a leader by example and an inspiration to all on the Club’s food and beverage team. The ambition of the Board of Governors and the Management Team for its culinary program is to ensure that the Club is a “go-to” destination for members; one of their top 2 or 3 New Canaan dining destinations. New Canaan has a dynamic restaurant scene, and the Club must compete at that level.
Scope, Expectations and Requirements
The Executive Chef is responsible for the entire culinary operation, including menu design, food production, staff recruitment and development, development and enforcement of standards, effective communication and cost control. He/she must maintain the highest professional standards for food quality and sanitation and will lead by example, building a tightly-knit team dedicated to excellence. The Club’s annual food and beverage sales total $1.7 million, and a la carte dining represents 90% of sales.
Key Expectations and Goals
The Executive Chef must:
- Be hands-on, directly supervising/cooking items requiring skillful preparation.
- Have excellent culinary skills in order to meet the expectations of a sophisticated membership.
- Be innovative, with creative and fresh ideas and products.
- Be skilled administratively in order to accurately purchase and maintain inventories and track costs.
- Be a problem solver and a team player.
- Be an approachable leader, building an effective and efficient culinary team that works well together.
- Be personable and interact well with members and guests.
Ideal Candidate Profile
The position requires a strong, organized leader who is committed to being the best in the area and is dedicated to lifelong learning of culinary developments. The right individual will be self-motivated, able to build a cohesive team, possess a modern approach to menu planning and be able to continually offer unique and distinctive dining experiences.
The Club will prefer a candidate who has had experience at progressive venues such as quality resorts, restaurants and clubs. The position will report directly to the General Manager, will have a close working relationship with the food and beverage team and will collaborate with and work as an important member of the management team.
Finally, the successful candidate must be a good fit with the culture of the Club. He/she must demonstrate values, conduct and integrity consistent with those of the Club. The candidate must approach the position with humility and selflessness.
Salary and Benefits
The compensation package includes a competitive base salary and performance bonus. Benefits include group health, dental and life insurance; a 401K program with a 3% match; vacation and a professional development allowance. A relocation allowance is negotiable if necessary.
Inquiries: Interested candidates should send a resume, cover letter and supporting information including menu examples, pictures, personal website, etc. in strict confidence to us by clicking here.