Food, balance, teamwork, personality and generating “social sparks” are the skills and attributes that should determine who gets selected for the top culinary position.
Writing for eHotelier.com, Larry Mogelonsky of LMA Communications Inc., a hospitality consulting and communications agency, listed “characteristics that make the Executive Chef” in any high-end culinary operation today:
“At the core of any restaurant operation is the executive chef,” Mogelonsky wrote. “He or she is the spark plug that generates those ‘wow’ dishes that create lasting images and memories for your guests.
“As the restaurant experience continues to evolve, so too does the role of executive chef,” Mogelonsky continued. “Your exec’s responsibilities in the front of the house are as important as those in the kitchen. So, what skills should you look for during the selection of this most critical position?”
- It’s all about the food
“This is the most obvious,” Mogelonsky wrote. “Can your chef deliver a menu that sets your property apart, and can it be done within the context of your property’s strategic operating plan?
“It used to be that the General Manager could interview a prospective chef in the kitchen, as if the ability to wield a knife and manage heat was sufficient. This is a fundamental skill, but nowadays it’s insufficient as a hiring criterion [on its own].
- It’s about balance and teamwork
“No matter how high-profile the chef, he/she is but one person amongst a team working in this department. Your chef has to respect the contribution of others and partner effectively with your F&B Director. Lone-wolf chefs rarely last long, and tend to leave an incredible mess in their wake.”
- Personality
“Being executive chef is no longer just about being a chef. Larger than life, your chef’s capabilities transcend the kitchen, dining room and even the property.
“Your exec has to be as comfortable in the front of the house with guests as he or she is in the back of house with the staff. He has to be able to work with your PR team, share recipes, pose for photos and, ultimately, be accessible.”
- Your chef must generate social sparks
“Social sparks are those items that are worthy of sharing. Now more than ever, chefs have to be a part of the social fabric of your organization. In other words, your chef has to be an outgoing activist, embracing your social-media programs and sharing his or her behind-the-scenes approach to making the restaurant operation a true business differentiator. Your chef has to be as comfortable with his smartphone as he is with your back-of-house technology.”
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