Executive Chef, Walnut Creek Club – South Lyon, MI

In 1955, the original owners constructed the Farmington Country Club at the corner of Haggerty and Twelve Mile Roads. By 1960, the club had grown to 245 members. After a member vote in 1982, the club was renamed to Farmington Hills Country Club. Due to the road widening of Haggerty and Twelve Mile Roads in 1983, the membership considered a property exchange to the north side of Twelve Mile Road.

This move never came to fruition because of conflicts with property developers.

By 1987, the existing 133+ acre property was sold off in parcels and the Club purchased its current location, Godwin Glen, a 27-hole golf course in the Charter Township of Lyon. The Club also purchased an adjacent 89+ acres for future expansion. By the end of the year, the Club was renamed to Walnut Creek Country Club. In 1988, the membership voted to increase the number of Regular Members to 375.

In 1990, the bylaws were amended to provide for 399 Regular Members. In 1989, the clubhouse was built for Walnut Creek.

Walnut Creek Country Club is looking for an Executive Chef who is experienced and confident in his/her abilities. This individual needs exceptional leadership ability with managing and retaining a well-trained culinary team. The Executive Chef possess a true passion for cooking and practices a “hands-on” approach. He/she is able to produce a quality product and get it out of the kitchen with a sense of urgency on a consistent basis.

This individual will need to communicate well and have an infectious positive attitude.

• Get to Know the Members and Facilities – Take time to understand the culture of the Club. Engage with members getting feedback to understand the wants and needs of the membership.
• Evaluation of Kitchen Team and Structure – The Executive Chef is a committed leader able to develop a strong culinary team and maintain a positive ‘Team Spirit’. The Executive Chef evaluates the job performance of culinary staff; coaches and counsels to ensure staff is on track.
• Review of Menus and Food Quality – Implements dynamic and innovative menu development programs balancing current trends and Club classics. The members embrace doing things just a little bit differently and the Chef should be the leader in culinary trends.
• Review Systems and Controls – The new Executive Chef is expected to evaluate current operations and provide recommendations for enhanced systems, controls, cost and quality of product and services. Reviews inventories and vendors and ensures the Club is getting quality products at the best price possible.
• Setting Standards/Communication of Vision – The Executive Chef is a high-energy individual with a strong work ethic and standards that work with others promoting a vision of excellence throughout the Club.

As the General Manager, I have been on property for a year and a half. When I arrived, the culture among the team was broken, and the experiences we were delivering — for both members and staff — were falling short of expectations. My primary goal since then has been to rebuild that culture and restore pride in who we are and what we do.

Today, we are moving in a positive direction across many areas of the Club. We’ve made strategic changes to elevate the experience for our members and create an environment where our employees can thrive. While the progress has been significant, there is still work to do — and our Kitchen is one area that remains a key focus. My commitment is to ensure every department leader has what they need to deliver the level of experience our membership expects and deserves.

I see myself as an advocate for our team just as much as for our members. Walnut Creek Country Club has so much untapped potential — we are poised to become the Club to belong to, in our community. Our next Executive Chef will play a vital role in making that vision a reality. Our members warmly welcome new employees and take pride in fostering a fun, inviting atmosphere.

Walnut Creek is a refined Club, but never stuffy — we like to do things just a bit differently. Whoever steps into this role will have every opportunity to do…