Lead Pastry Cook - LAVO Italian Restaurant - San Diego

The Lead Pastry Cook will be responsible for organizing the activities of the Pastry Department to maintain the highest standards of food quality, cost control, and consistency.

• Lead pastry cooks in their daily responsibilities; ensure that all items are ready for service
• Implement operating standards for the Pastry Department
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, to provide clear direction to the pastry team
• Communicate with pastry team and new hires on the expectations of the kitchen, food bibles, recipes, quality, and presentation required of each dish
• Assign and instruct pastry team in details of work; observe performance and encourage improvement where necessary
• Maintain pastry department documents including station checklists, dessert inventories, recipe book, and Food Bible
• Communicate with employees using a positive and clear speaking voice; listen to and understand requests; respond with appropriate actions and provide accurate information
• Remain calm and alert, especially during emergency situations and/or heavy restaurant activity, serving as a role model for the pastry team and other employees
• Interact with other department personnel and restaurant staff as needed
• Manage inventory, ensuring proper inventory levels are maintained for smooth restaurant operations
• Make decisions and take actions based on previous experience and good judgment, sometimes revising procedures to accommodate unusual situations
• Ensure health and safety laws are followed always and that sanitary conditions are maintained at the highest levels per the requirements of the Department of Health, the Department of Buildings, and OSHA
• Report to the Executive Chef and Corporate Pastry Chef any maintenance or repairs needed
• Prevent the spoiling and contamination of foods by enforcing proper sanitation practices and ensuring compliance with policy and health regulations
• Inspect delivery of food to ensure the highest level of quality
• Make menu recommendations to the Corporate Pastry Chef for future menu development, holidays, special events, and promotions
• Attend mandatory meetings, including staff meetings, pastry team meetings, and meetings with Corporate Pastry Chef
• Keep work area clean and organized
• Demonstrate positive leadership characteristics, inspiring Team Members to meet and exceed standards
• Maximize restaurant profitability, implementing effective controls of departmental processes and prime (food & labor) costs
• Maintain compliance with The Company's policies and procedures, as well as city, state, and federal laws
• Assists and/ or completes additional tasks as assigned

IN ADDITION TO THE AFOREMENTIONED ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS, THE POSITION WILL BE EVALUATED ON THE FOLLOWING LEADERSHIP QUALITIES:

• Accountability
• Development
• Working relationships
• Judgment
• Quality of work
• Health and safety
• Food hygiene
• Maintenance
• Emergency procedures
• Liquor license requirements
• Job skills knowledge
• Productivity
• Dependability
• Punctuality
• Adherence to Policy
• Verbal communication
• Attitude
• Appearance
• Teamwork
• Guest satisfaction

EDUCATION/REQUIREMENTS:

• Two-year college degree in Culinary or Pastry Arts from an accredited institution (or equivalent)
• Two years pastry experience
• Qualifying certificate in food protection preference; CPR certification preferred
• Proof of eligibility to work in the United States
• Valid Driver's License
• 21+ years of age
• Possession of or the ability to possess all state required work cards
• Maintain a professional, neat and well-groomed appearance adhering to Company standards

WORKING KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS:

• Thorough knowledge of restaurant operations including foods, service techniques, and guest interaction.

• Considerable skill in math and algebraic equations using percentages
• Ability to walk, stand, and/or bend continuously to perform essential job functions
• Ability to communicate in English, both orally and in writing, with guests and employees, some of whom will require high levels of patience, tact, and diplomacy to defuse anger, collect accurate information, and resolve problems
• Ability to work under pressure and deal with stressful situations during busy periods
• Ability to access and accurately input information using a moderately complex computer system

SKILLS:

• Ability to perform basic mathematical equations
• Must have strong problem-solving skills
• Ability to communicate effectively and assertively in the English language, both verbally and in writing with staff, clients, and the public
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals
• Ability to demonstrate a positive attitude always
• Ability to keep an open and objective view
• Ability to listen empathetically and be respectful always
• Ability to maintain composure and stay focused
• Ability to maintain personal integrity
• Ability to work as a team, stay organized, handle various projects at one time, follow up and make accurate decisions
• Ability to handle a fast-paced, busy, and somewhat stressful environment, and work under pressure and meet deadlines

GUEST SERVICE REQUIREMENTS:

• Provide a friendly, personal demeanor with a willingness to interact
• Provide professional and friendly guest services
• Commits self to the below listed Company values, and acknowledges dedication to providing excellent guest service for our Guests and our internal team, always

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work safely and prevent personal injury
• Commitment to the safety of fellow co-workers and our guests, and the ability to demonstrate that commitment through daily actions

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• Must have good positive energy to make it through the day
• Must be able to read the computer monitors
• Must be able to print legibly for guests to read
• Must be observant and quick to respond to various situations
• Must be able to move quickly through work and set the pace in the office and/or venue
• Must be able to sit and/or stand for extended periods of time
• Must be dexterous and able to participate in all service aspects.
• Must be able to twist, tow (push or pull), reach, bend, climb and carry as necessary
• Must be able to push and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools or controls
• Ability to reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl
• Ability to talk, hear, taste, and smell
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus

WORK ENVIRONMENT & SCHEDULE:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• Work indoors and/or outdoors, exposed to hot and/or cold surfaces, steam, and wet floors
• Work in an environment that is subject to varying levels of noise, crowds and smoke, the severity of which depends upon guest volume
• Restaurant and bar environment
• Fast paced, high volume, high energy
• Hours may be part-time (less than 30 hours per week)
• Schedule could exceed 30 hours per week and may include overtime when approved by management
• Work varied shifts to include days, nights, weekends and holidays

SECURITY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Security Level: Low

Searsucker Restaurant embodies the social dining experience by encouraging guests to come early and stay late. Searsucker's menu offers fun, creative twists on classic American dishes. Inspired by the relaxed simplicity of seersucker fabric, each restaurant offers a comfortable space that creates the feeling of dining in a friend's home. Each of its three locations features comfortable seating, eclectic music, and bright flavors creating the perfect vibe for a get-together.

US Candidates Only
Tao Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.