Sous Chef

Position: Sous Chef Full-time
Location: Victoria

Recognized as the #1 Best Canadian Hotel in Travel + Leisure's 2024 World's Best Awards, Fairmont Empress is located in Victoria, BC, overlooking the city's sparkling Inner Harbour. A Forbes recommended and MICHELIN key hotel that offers 431 beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites, Fairmont Spa with signature West Coast experiences, and Q at the Empress featuring Pacific Northwest cuisine, an award-winning wine list, and regionally focused cocktail culture.

World-famous Tea at the Empress is served in the Lobby Lounge with stunning harbour views.
The magnificent property completed a $60+ million restoration in 2017 that celebrated its proud history while moving the hotel into a new era of modern luxury and transforming the iconic property into a must-visit destination. In 2023, the property introduced a revamped Fairmont Gold Experience, including a major renovation to the Fairmont Gold floor. 88 Fairmont Gold roomsand a newly renovated lounge are ready to accommodateguests.

Located on Vancouver Island, Canada's Castle on the Coast is the ideal starting point to explore British Columbia's stunning natural and expansive beauty. Historic Hotels Worldwide recognizes the property's prestigious grounds as the Top 25 Most Magnificent Gardens in the World.

Job Description   What is in it for you:
Employee benefit card offering discounted rates at Accor properties worldwide
Exclusive Employee and Friends & Family Discounts at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
Exclusive access to the Pacific Northwest Food & Beverage Discount Program with 50% off at our dining destinations in Vancouver, Victoria, and Whistler
Opportunity to develop your talent and grow within your property and across the world!
Complimentary meal during your shift through our Colleague Dining Program
Complimentary uniform laundering
Access to our comprehensive benefits and wellness programs, including extended healthcare benefits and RMT, dental, vision, and complimentary counseling, wellness sessions, financial and family planning through Life Works
Access to our company-matched Defined Contribution Pension Plan (DCPP)
Opportunity to develop your talent through coaching and our Leadership Mentoring Programs
Competitive salary starting at 69,600
What you will be doing:
Reporting to the Executive Sous Chef, and working in partnership with the Restaurant & Banquet Chefs, you will be responsible for the overseeing the culinary operations for the Fairmont Empress. You will assist in designing menus that reflect the Fairmont Empress’ position as leader in Pacific North West cuisine. Working with the local farmers, fishers and culinary artisans of Vancouver Island, you will participate in curating on brand and trend setting culinary experiences for local and in house guests.
Lead the day to day operations of the various kitchens, through an active presence on the floor, leading your teams to deliver service excellence
In collaboration with the other culinary leaders; oversee the entirety of the culinary and stewarding departments. A la carte kitchen(s), Banqueting, Afternoon Tea, Garde Manger, Fairmont Gold and Staff Cafeteria.
Effectively participate in managing the departmental budget through purchasing, inventory management, pricing, and labour cost
Drive revenue and profit through the development and implementation of menu design, strategies, practices and promotions.
Maintain food safety and sanitation of the kitchen, through industry leading food safety protocols.
Highly involved in sourcing products and building relationships with local vendors
Represent the Empress at external events
Collaborate with other departments to ensure effective operation of the hotel, and exceptional guest experiences
Train and lead the culinary team, ensuring they have the skills, training and tools to deliver world class culinary experiences
Take an active role with FOH leaders to ensure service colleagues are knowledgeable about the menu and can speak with guests comfortably about menu items, ingredients, and techniques.
Personally engage with clients and guests, ensuring exceptional culinary experiences
Take initiative to ensure guest satisfaction metrics are met or exceeded, responding personally to guest feedback
Participate in the recruitment and onboarding of new colleagues
Promote the growth and development of internal talent
Pro-actively participate in colleague engagement initiatives
Lead the kitchen in the absence of the Executive sous Chef
Adhere to all Company policies, procedures and values
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications   Your experience and skills include:
This position is ideally suited to the individual who has a demonstrated progressive work history, is ambitious and career minded. With the goal to grow with Accor Hotels, and become an Executive Chef in the future.
Minimum of 2 years’ experience as Chef de Partie in comparable kitchens. A combination of both standalone restaurant and luxury hotel experience is an asset.
Demonstrated passion for cuisine, guest experience and…