EXECUTIVE CHEF PROFILE:

PORTAGE COUNTRY CLUB

AKRON, OH

 THE EXECUTIVE CHEF OPPORTUNITY AT PORTAGE COUNTRY CLUB                                                                                                                                                  

The Executive Chef position at Portage Country Club (PCC) is an exciting opportunity to be part of family-focused and high-quality Club. Portage Country Club is in search of an Executive Chef with a successful track record of accomplishment, leadership, and high-quality operations management experience in private clubs, hotels, high-end restaurants, or resorts.  The candidate will be an integral and critical part of the leadership team.  The ability to be positive, consistently organized, innovative and mentoring departmental leadership is the critical skill set required for success in this position.  Also important is the ability to intuitively embrace the need to be visible and highly interactive with members and staff; leadership in this area begins and ends with approachability and accessibility.

Click here to view a brief video about this opportunity. (Video Coming Soon)

PORTAGE COUNTRY CLUB

Founded in 1894 in Akron, Ohio, Portage Country Club is one of the oldest clubs in America. The Club’s founding members were Charles C. Goodrich son of the founder of B.F. Goodrich Tire Company and two senior executives from the company. The growth of Portage paralleled the rise of the rubber industry in Akron. B.F. Goodrich, Goodyear, Firestone, and General Tire (four of the world’s major tire companies) were all founded and headquartered in Akron during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. As a result, not only did Akron become America’s fastest growing city from 1910-1920, but Portage Country Club soon became the place where some of the country’s most prominent families and their guests gathered.

Although Portage has a proud history, an outstanding facility, and a superb staff, its greatness stems from its long-term success as a family club. Many present members are second, third and fourth generation members, who have literally enjoyed the Club from the cradle. 2019 marked the 125th anniversary of Portage Country Club. Insistence on high standards for more than a century is the reason Portage has developed and maintained a membership of exceptional people. Perhaps more important than anything else is the Club’s belief that each member’s individual character ultimately determines the quality and character of the Club.

It is important to understand that PCC is a family-oriented club that provides multiple superb dining options, athletic and social opportunities for children year-round including a robust Junior golf program and is home to one of the area’s largest and most comprehensive Swimming teams, led by experienced and dedicated coaches. From “dine-in movies” at the pool to an annual camp out with dads on the golf course, our youngest members love the Club’s special events that are dedicated specifically to them.

$5M in recent clubhouse renovations will be complete in 2022 and the membership will then enjoy a newly expanded patio with firepits, a spectacular bar with panoramic views of the golf course and a new convenient location of the cart barn. Future capital expenditure projects are expected and will be planned with the board after the new COO is in place.

PORTAGE COUNTRY CLUB BY THE NUMBERS

• 278 Golf Members, 500 Total Membership
• $6M Gross volume
• $2.6M F&B volume
• 47% Food Cost
• 45% a la carte dining 55% banquets
• 125 Employees in season
• 14-25 F&B employees depending on season
• 12 weddings per year on average
• 50 Average age of members

PORTAGE COUNTRY CLUB WEB SITE: www.portagecc.org

PORTAGE COUNTRY CLUB FOOD AND BEVERAGE OPERATIONS

Portage Country Club’s F&B outlets consist of the following outlets that share one menu, the dining areas are also preparing for an upcoming re-model.

The Patio- This is a newly constructed area that is well appointed with two fire pits, cocktail seating, and a large bar, The patio will seat 120 Members when fully open.

The Espinosa Bar- This bar and dining area features casual dining, bar seating for 18, and high-top tables with an additional 30 seats for dining.

Espinosa Room- The Casual Dining Space is focused on the family with booths, and seating for 34 Members

Shute’s Dining Room- This is the formal dining, area at the Club with seating for 40 and a refined atmosphere for Members enjoying a special or more elegant evening.

Portage North – The Club Swimming Pool

Events - Portage Country Club is very focused on Club events such as family Movie Nights, the annual Halloween ‘Trunk or Treat’, Easter egg hunts, breakfast with Santa, and of course, the Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day Pool Party BBQs.

In the winter season the Club is closed on Monday and Tuesdays and Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. 

Peak season is Memorial Day through Labor Day.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

The Executive Chef reports directly to the General Manager/COO and is responsible for supervision of the entire culinary team including, Sous Chefs, Line Cooks, Pantry, and Dishwashers.

EXECUTIVE CHEF POSITION OVERVIEW

The Executive Chef (EC) at the Portage Country Club will be tasked to operate a high-end culinary team; recruit, develop, and mentor new talent, while challenging and retaining skilled senior staff with a strong foundation. A creative approach is needed to navigate the challenges of the recent employment culinary market, as well as innovative, positive leadership to ensure the workforce culture both attracts and retains top talent. He or she creates and updates menus, (restaurant and events) incorporate daily specials, and develops and documents recipes and controls to ensure consistency. The EC maintains the highest professional food quality and sanitation standards. He or she works closely with FOH staff to ensure quality, consistency, and innovation in the delivery of all culinary services, products and offerings to members and guests. He or she ensures all local, state, and federal food safety standards are followed. The EC should have private club experience and be highly visible, interactive, and engaged with members.

EXECUTIVE CHEF JOB DESCRIPTION

The Executive Chef (EC) at the Portage Country Club is accountable for directing and maintaining the administration, organization, and development of the Culinary Department for the club. The position carries with it a long tradition of relationship member dining, to include consistent interaction with the clubs’ members. EC is hands-on, leads by example, manages, motivates, and leads BOH staff and operations. Interacts regularly with House Committee.

The EC achieves the objectives set by the GM/COO and EC through the creation of kitchen policies and procedures, and staff training and coaching.

The EC leads the BOH initiative relative to accident prevention, training and retention of staff, and sanitation and safety standards. The kitchen must always be extremely organized and clean: from walk-ins to mise en place. 

The EC stays current on culinary trends and is well-versed in finding creative ways to accommodate a variety of food allergies and intolerances. The EC trains all staff in the proper handling of specialty dishes related to food intolerances and allergies. 

The EC has a demonstrated ability to provide consistent high-quality presentation across all staff including his/herself.  I.E.  Recipes, photos, tastings, trainings.  Ensures all food is consistently outstanding – from standard club fare to innovative offerings and special culinary events throughout all dining venues.

The EC is the face of culinary operations and needs to be comfortable conversing and interacting in both the kitchen and dining rooms as he or she interfaces with multiple and diverse constituencies (members, staff, vendors, etc.) throughout the day. The EC is visible, always approachable, and enjoys member interaction. 

The EC is responsive to club member and team member requests and strives to find creative ways to accommodate reasonable requests. He or she welcomes others’ opinions yet holds his or her ground to maintain the highest level of quality and standards. The EC welcomes feedback, constructive criticism and suggestions from members and staff. 

EC is a hands-on team builder who mentors kitchen staff and develops a pipeline of talented and creative individuals and interns by building a reputation as an excellent learning and training ground for up-and-coming culinarians, leveraging relationships with culinary institutions, and maximizing creative staffing initiatives (in cooperation with Human Resources). The EC shows a genuine interest in the future and personal growth of the staff.  

The EC treats all employees with respect and dignity, valuing each person for the unique strengths they bring, while also holding all staff accountable for maintaining the highest level of professional and culinary skills required by the PCC culinary department and house committee. 

The EC is competent in organizational skills, time management, displaying good judgement, problem solving and decision making.

Ultimately, the EC of Portage Country Club is an important and positive face of culinary operations. He or she is an integral part of the overall success of the operation and is a strong influencer on each constituency he or she interfaces with while performing his or her duties. The responsibility to lead this facet of the organization from a passionate, creative, supportive, progressive, and team-focused perspective is of critical importance for long-term success. The EC is a team player that is interested and engaged in making the Portage Country Club a great place to be and work.

INITIAL PRIORITIES

• Build strong relationships with the team from day one.Work alongside, assist, and understand the operations as well as evaluate and continue to develop, train and mentor the culinary team while promoting fairness and consistency.
• Be present, available and build a strong foundation of communication within the culinary, front of house and club team members.
• Develop a culinary plan for the upcoming season to provide new and exciting culinary experiences for the members and guests in both a la carte dining and member events while embracing traditional club favorites.
• Find and maintain a balance among member dining needs from classic country club fare to new, innovative dining options. The executive chef will need to offer menu options that appeal to tenured members as well as newer, more active, younger members.
• Provide creative plate and buffet/action station presentations as well as deliver value to the membership.
• Evaluate and set appropriate and necessary standards of operation, execution, and delivery within the culinary operation, taking ownership for the entire experience from production to final delivery of the end product, while working closely with the FOH management team.
• Manage to budgeted goals.
• Deliver consistency and high quality in a la carte, banquet, and catering operations.
• Learn staff and member names and culinary and dining requirements (allergies, etc.) and preferences.

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate:

• Has a proven track record of high-level country club relationship dining expertise. Private club experience required with 8+ years culinary experience and 5+ in a supervisory role.
• Preferred - Has earned certification through the American Culinary Federation (ACF) or a Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts with relevant experience.

CLUB COVID REQUIREMENTS

This club does not require staff to be fully vaccinated as a provision of employment.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary is open and commensurate with qualifications and experience. Portage Country Club offers an excellent bonus and benefit package including professional development.

INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO APPLY

Please upload your resume and cover letter (in that order) using the link below.  You should have your documents fully prepared to be attached when prompted for them during the online application process.  Please be sure your image is not present on your resume or cover letter; that should be used in your LinkedIn Profile.

Preparing a thoughtful letter of interest and alignment with the above noted expectations and requirements is necessary.  Your letter should be addressed to Mr. David George, President, Portage Country Club, 240 North Portage Path, Akron, OH 44303 and clearly articulate why you want to be considered for this position at this stage of your career and why PCC and the Akron area will be beneficial to you, your family, your career, and the Club if selected.

You must apply for this role as soon as possible but no later than February 20th.  Candidate selections will occur in late February with first Interviews expected in early-March 2022 and second interviews a short time later.  The new candidate should assume his/her role in late-March

IMPORTANT:  Save your resume and letter in the following manner:

“Last Name, First Name - Resume” and

“Last Name, First Name - Cover Letter – Portage Country Club

(These documents should be in Word or PDF format)

Note: Once you complete the application process for this search, you are not able to go back in and add additional documents.

Click here to upload your resume and cover letter.

If you have any questions, please email Holly Weiss: holly@kkandw.com

SEARCH EXECUTIVE

Annette Whittley, Search Executive

561-827-1945 (M)

annette@kkandw.com