Cluster Executive Chef 
(9979)

At One&Only, we exist to create joy for our guests through anticipation, creativity, precision, empathy and warmth. We tailor every aspect of our guests’ stay to bring their dreams and desires to life. With an atmosphere that’s chic but wonderfully unstuffy™, and a team who are meticulous but warm, we seek to exceed our guests’ expectations at every possible turn. 

Cushioned in the foothills of the breath-taking Virunga Volcano Range, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest makes the magical possible to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime, personal encounter with the rare and majestic mountain gorilla, roaming free in its own natural habitat. The warm African charm is one of our most unique and valued assets. With abundant knowledge and generosity, we anticipate our guest’s every need and surpass expectations. Whether we are designing the perfect day out or arranging a romantic private dinner, we approach everything with imagination to spark a sense of playfulness, discovery and adventure. This is not simply our job, it’s our passion. We don’t just exist in the environment, we exist with the environment; from working the land or building a shelter, we like to give back in as many ways as we can to help our communities flourish.

• Position                            Cluster Executive Chef
• Level                                Manager
• Department                      Food & Beverage, culinary
• Reports to                        Cluster General Manager
• Subordinates                    All Kitchen Colleagues and Stewards

At One&Only our passion is to create moments of joy, where guests can truly let loose, forget the world and feel alive.

Our Colleagues are tuned-in and are the beating heart of our brand. We don’t just operate amazing resorts, we create joy in

everything we do.

Due to the location and complexities of the operation at One& Only Gorilla’s Nest and Nyungwe House  you will be required to work in other departments as and when required and support the team to deliver the customer experience and travelling to One &Only Nyungwe house

Job Summary

Lead the Team in all organizational matters. Ensure the quality and standards as per One&Only are kept and followed, and ensure all important information is communicated with the Area Lodge Manager and both Chef de cuisines OOGN and OONH   All HACCP standards are followed and improved consistently. Ensure all guest requests are handled with care and accommodated where possible. Maintain highest levels of personal hygiene and grooming at all times, as per standard. Consistently train the Subordinates, to ensure the standards are maintained. Ensure the operating equipment is maintained and inventory level is in order. Ensure daily and weekly ordering of products is in accordance with the occupation of the Lodge.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Liaises and coordinates with Area Manager and Two resorts Manager for all outlets and function promotions and actions.
• Ensures the quality levels of kitchen production and presentation is maintained at its highest level at all times.
• Creates new products
• Responsible of the daily market list
• Presents oneself in a way that enhances the overall guest experience, for both Resorts by adding life and energy into each outlet.
• Ensures that all mise en place is correctly prepared prior to commencing service.
• Demonstrates excellent product knowledge of all food and special functions held at the Resort
• Participates in the service of any special functions or events organised by the Resort
• Monitors systematically the performance of the department and intervenes immediately if deviations occur.
• Attends the daily Department Head meeting.
• Presents oneself in a way that enhances the overall guest experience, by adding life and energy into each outlet.
• Ensures all food requisitions are prepared within the time parameters, set by the Resort  and always displays attributes of genuine hospitality.
• Conducts performance appraisals for kitchen employees.
• Performs any additional or special duties, as directed by the Area  Manager.
• Establishes and maintains smooth personal and work relationships in the kitchen
• Remains current on all Lodge happenings, including guests in-house, arrivals and departures, as well as daily events.
• Assists supervisors in generating work schedules for kitchen personnel, according to forecasted demand requirements.
• Ordering and keeping fair stocks
• Minimizing wastage through creative recycling
• Ensures expiree dates are labeled on products that are required.
• Does regular spot checks on all expiry items.
• Ensures the Lodge Food cost is maintained at all times.
• Supervises the undertaking of physical asset inventories each month.
• Maintains highest levels of personal hygiene and grooming at all times, as per standard.
• Ensures that a safe, hygienically fit working environment is maintained at all times and reports any concerns or faults immediately.
• Ensures kitchen and back areas are thoroughly clean at all times.
• Ensures that equipment is cleaned, when necessary or according to their schedules.
• Maintains and creates a working environment that reflects a sense of place.
• Conduct daily briefings.
• Continuously trains and motivates subordinates to ensure Lodge standards are maintained.
• Delegates responsibilities to Colleagues and ensures tasks are completed.
• Ensures that channels of communication are respected and information is disseminated to the correct receivers.
• Attends monthly communication meetings.
• Conducts a daily briefing prior to service.
• Attends all training carried out by the Training Department.
• In-depth training of Colleagues
• Attends daily F&B briefings and monthly F&B meetings.
• Conducts a monthly communication meeting.
• Conducts a daily briefing prior to service and a debriefing, once a week with Colleagues.
• Assists in the process of recruiting new employees for each of the respective kitchens.
• When driving Lodge’s buggies, ensures that rules and regulations are followed at all times.
• Handles any guest’s complaint in a professional manner, as per Lodge Policy & Procedure (service recovery).
• Ensures that disciplinary actions are taken, when necessary, according to Lodge Policy & Procedure.
• Practices proper telephone etiquette with Colleagues and Lodge’s guests.
• Ensures excellent communication and working relationships with Colleagues are maintained and contribute to the team spirit.
• Exhibits outstanding knowledge of the Resorts  and Rwandan culture.
• Knows and applies Resorts Policies & Procedures, including those for the emergency situations.
• Ensures maintenance work is completed, in a timely and professional manner.
• Ensures all fixed assets are well maintained.
• Demonstrates knowledge and interest in goals, and objectives of the One&Only brand.
• Ensures all activities are carried out honestly, ethically and within the parameters of the Rwandan Law.
• Ensures that all tasks assigned Area  Manager are completed, in a timely fashion.
• Ensures all food requisitions are prepared within the time parameters, set by the Lodge and always displays attributes of genuine hospitality.
• Should be in abidance with the expectations defined in the job responsibilities.
• Complete and efficient setting up of the respective kitchen.
• Demonstrates individual productivity and work efficiency.
• Trainings of Colleagues and their performances.
• Attend shift with punctuality.
• Attend trainings where applicable.
• Measure Employee Satisfaction Index on quarterly basis.
• Align food cost within budget for the kitchen.
• Manages and issues disciplinary actions.

Skills, Experience & Educational Requirements

• Culinary Diploma and preferably 10 years work experience in a five-star Resort or comparable environment.
• Work experience in various different types of cuisine and kitchen set up (banquette, main kitchen, outlet kitchen)
• Fluency in English is essential, any additional languages is preferable.
• Intermediate HACCP certified.
• Intermediate computer competency including excel.
• Leadership program certified.

Blow Away The Customer

• I care and work towards exceeding the expectations of my customers
• I am proactive and deliver unique and everlasting memories for our customers

Develop Passionate and Committed People

• I am committed to being thoughtful towards our colleagues
• I am passionate about my role        

Continuously Strive for Perfections (good enough never is)

• I constantly seek new ways and ideas to improve what I do
• I am inspired to make a difference

Achieve Sustainable Bottom Line Performance

• I am honest and fair
• I take responsibility and contribute towards the financial performance of where I work

Grooming

• I present a professional image according to established standards

Communication

• I adapt my communication to the audience and the message to be delivered
• I am able to develop effective written communications

 Functional Skills & Knowledge

• I understand the full scope of my duties and demonstrate initiative
• I take responsibility for my actions

Planning & Organizing

• I set realistic goals both for myself and my colleagues in line with company strategies
• I am capable of handling multiple priorities effectively

Team Management & Development (Influencing & Working with Others)

• I devote time in training and coaching each colleague
• I conduct regular performance management discussions for my colleagues and monitor their progress

Where Colleagues do not have anyone to supervise,
then the competency will be replaced by with the following 2 behaviors:

• I am able to influence others when required to speak and present ideas
• I am able to work with other colleagues and departments effectively

Problem Solving & Decision Making

• I have the ability to involve all the appropriate people to resolve problem in the business.
• I proactively facilitate prompt and appropriate decision making

Innovation & Creativity

• I regularly seek new opportunities for change
• I assist in resolving resistance to change

Our brand is expanding faster than ever before. We are investing in the growth of our company, and that means we are committed to investing in you. Join a team that is open-hearted, intuitive, generous, and spontaneous in spirit. We believe in making our guests happy beyond anything they have ever imagined. We wow them at every turn and create memories that will last a lifetime. You will be at the heart of this vision, to constantly innovate to deliver Amazing Experiences and Everlasting Memories.