Conference Center Jobs in Kent, WA (NOW HIRING)

Lead Banquet & Events Cook (Full-Time Garde Manger) | Bell Harbor Int'l Conference Center
Let's start off with the most important part - what's in it for you:
The Perks
*Eligibility of perks is dependent upon job status

• Hourly Pay Range: $32 DOE
• Commuter/Parking Allowance
• Get Paid Daily (Make any day payday)
• Paid Time Off & Double Time on Holidays Worked (Because Balance Matters)
• Benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, 401K
• HSA/FSA Plans -with employer contribution
• Values Based Culture (#OMGLIFE)
• Culture Add (Creating Space for Fresh Perspectives)
• Referral Bonus (Get Paid to Recruit)
• Discounted Lodging, Dining, Spa, Golf, and Retail (Yes, Discounted Travel!)
• Employee Assistance Program
• "Columbia Cares" Volunteer Opportunities
• Committee Participation Opportunities (Fun, Philanthropic, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion)
• Task Force Work Opportunities (Grow your career in idyllic locations across the globe)
• Online Learning Platform to Help You Grow!
• Third Party Perks (Including discounts on Pet Insurance, Rental Cars, Movie and Concert Tickets, Theme Park and Attractions & so much more)

Our Commitment to you:
"People never forget how you made them feel." Maya Angelou's famous statement serves as a rallying cry throughout Columbia Hospitality and fuels our collective drive - and success.
Our people are our purpose, and our brand is our people. We seek extraordinary individuals who drive our brand promise of Creating Exceptional Experiences. We are a people-first organization, ignited from the inside to succeed on the outside. We are a tight-knit, inclusive, values-driven team and we trust one another to have each other's backs. We show up every day with open hearts, an inclusive mindset, and genuine respect for those around us. We have fun, grow together, and strive to leave a positive lasting impression on everyone we meet.
What Success Looks Like:
Bell Harbor International Conference Center is looking to add a full-time lead cook to our core kitchen team. An ideal candidate has at least 6 years experience in high volume catering operations along with formal education or equivalent training and culinary background. Must have a strong repertoire in scratch cooking along with fundamental knowledge of technique for sauces and various preparations with an emphasis on garde manger cooking. This position is primarily AM oriented, so early availability is a must. Event leads are responsible for daily prep and execution of buffet, reception and plated events at Bell Harbor Conference Center, leading a small team to organize, forecast and facilitate prep lists and carrying out execution of our in-house events. We are a smaller team that takes pride in our sense of teamwork, professionalism, and ability to work together to execute and prepare events of all sizes, shapes and forms.
Bell Harbor International Conference Center is a full-service event center that serves both the local and international community; hosting events, meetings, galas, weddings, celebrations and . With a focus on world cuisines in homage to our space that functions as a cruise terminal for international travel, we take inspiration from our diverse team and their experiences to craft menus that offer a unique Pacific Northwest take on cuisine that inspires us.
Your Impact:

• Utilizes specification sheets to prepare daily preparation requirements, maintains par levels of necessary items
• Prepares new menu items under direction of supervisor
• Ensures attractive, consistent presentations of food items, both buffet and plated
• Interacts/supervises line cooks to monitor quality, presentation and consistency of food items prepared
• Handles all needs and accommodates customer requests in a timely manner
• Sets up, re-stocks, maintains, and cleans food preparation areas
• Responsible for ensuring presentation standards are meet for all hot and cold items
• Reads and interprets recipes
• Conducts product inventories, ordering and receiving of product
• Responsible for team maintenance of grooming standards
• Responsible for team adherence to standards for sanitation and safe food handling
• Responsible for all opening and closing kitchen procedures

What You Bring:

• 6+ years in industry, at least two years as a lead
• Able to cook proteins to pre-determined temperatures
• Ability to cook and direct a banquet up to 100 with a help of a small team
• Necessary State Food Handler's License(s)
• Ability to read and comprehend simple instruction, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to effectively present information in one on one and small group situations to other employees of the organization
• Working knowledge of all mother and minor sauces
• Working knowledge of proper butchering techniques
• Knowledge of specialized equipment: Mastering of slicer, Robo-coup, Hobart, convection ovens
• Must possess knife skills, the ability to adjust preparations for flavor, and accommodate customer's needs in a timely manner

Don't meet every single requirement? At Columbia Hospitality we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles.
Where you'll work:
Seattle's premier waterfront conference venue features 18 meeting rooms totaling 100,000 square feet with capacity for up to 6,000 guests. A multiple recipient of the Planners Choice Award from Successful Meetings and Meeting News, Bell Harbor features panoramic views of downtown Seattle and Puget Sound, Northwest-inspired cuisine and complimentary high-speed internet with REAL bandwidth! Bell Harbor is a member of the International Association of Conference Centers (IACC), ensuring a superior meeting experience with state-of-the-art audiovisual, Herman Miller chairs made for comfort, and well-lit meeting space.
Additional venues offered via the Bell Harbor sales team include Smith Cove Cruise Terminal located on Seattle's Magnolia waterfront with over 96,000 square feet of event space perfect for trade shows and large events, and directly adjacent to Bell Harbor the Maritime Event Center, a less traditional space that adds a nautical-themed backdrop to weddings and social events.
The Fine Print
Columbia Hospitality, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive environment without regard to age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. We strive for excellence in every position within the company and select the most qualified people who embrace our service philosophy and these values.
Accountability | Creativity | Enthusiasm | Honesty | Inclusion | Respect
Columbia Hospitality is a national management and consulting company with more than 25 years of experience in creating hospitality solutions and delivering exceptional experiences. Our portfolio includes award-winning hotels and resorts, premier residential communities, restaurants and bars, private and public golf clubs, conference centers, and distinctive venues. Columbia Hospitality has been consistently recognized as one of the Top Companies to Work for in Washington by Seattle Business Magazine and Puget Sound Business Journal for their commitment to creating a fun, dynamic and nurturing work environment for team members.