Executive Chef, Production Kitchen/R&D/QC

Universal Orlando Resort believes in-person collaboration is key to our success. Many of our Team Members work in a hybrid capacity, contributing from the workplace a minimum of three days per week. Some remote opportunities are available within specific departments. There are also roles that require being on-site full time. You'll learn more about this during the application process.

JOB SUMMARY: Responsible for leading culinary team, food preparation, production, and quality for assigned venues and operations. Researches new food product, develop menu concepts or items. Formulates and oversees the testing of new products, researches suppliers and other food and beverage industries. Responsible for leading quality control team, including oversight of all food safety requirements.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Researches, develops and creates new concepts or recipes, including oversight of testing and sampling of new products and menu items. Observes market trends and introduces new trends. Works with purchasing on forecasting and provides food cost analysis of new menu items. Collaborates with park chefs and business leaders to modify, refine, or enhance existing menu items or recipes. Support rollout of new or enhanced menu items to ensure proper training, execution of standards and quality. Responsible for understanding mass food production, knowing how to source ingredients, understands flavors and textures and the many diverse styles of cuisine.
• Responsible for staffing, training, development, and providing direction, instruction, and oversight of assigned culinary teams. Responsible for food quality, presentation, production and waste prevention by conducting quality inspections and touring each venue on a regular basis. Maintains food costs, labor budgets and works with the buyers and warehouse staff to ensure the quality and availability of product.
• Responsible for leading quality control team. Oversees daily practices of cleanliness and food safety. Works closely with the venue management and culinary teams to ensure HACCP and other food safety programs and standards are upheld. Ensures all Team Members attend required food safety training. Responsible for all health inspections on property, handles all guest food complaints, responds to food allergies with guest and ensures employees awareness.
• Understands and actively participates in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities by following established UO policy, procedures, training and team member involvement activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

SCOPE: Ability to lead a diverse workforce with varying back grounds and skill sets. Knowledge of varying cuisines, fine dining, quick serve and family style dining experience desired. Uses training of food science and culinary art to contribute to research and development. Applied knowledge of culinary, chemistry, engineering and sensory evaluation to create recipes and product. Must have a strong understanding of flavors and textures and ability to work with many styles of cuisine. Ability to observe market trends and introduce new trends.

EDUCATION:

• High school degree or GED is required.
• Technical school is preferred.
• Associate's degree (AA) is preferred or equivalent culinary training.
• Bachelor's degree is preferred.
• Other: Completion of a culinary apprenticeship, degree or certification preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

• A minimum of 10 years of culinary experience in a high-volume environment, overseeing multiple high-volume venues and supervisory experience;
• or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Your talent, skills and experience will be rewarded with a competitive compensation package.

Universal is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Universal Orlando via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from Universal Orlando HR/Recruitment will be deemed the sole property of Universal Orlando. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Universal Orlando as a result of the referral or through other means.

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Universal Orlando is an equal opportunity employer. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2023 Universal Studios. All rights reserved. EOE

• Contact: Recruitment Team
• Reference: CatererGlobal/1009_585365
• Job ID: 99584671