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Main Purpose of Job:
The British Embassy is looking for an enthusiastic and dynamic chef to provide a high-quality culinary experience at the Residence in Caracas. This is a great opportunity for someone with a flair for creativity, as the focus will be on producing innovative menus for both official and private dining.
The post holder will play an important part in maintaining the reputations of the British Embassy in Venezuela through creating and tailoring menus for the Head of Mission, members of the residence as well as special and VIP guests.
They will cater for a wide range of business hospitality events, ranging from seated or buffet breakfasts, lunches, dinners, afternoon teas, cocktails, receptions and special events, whilst representing value for money and accommodating for dietary requirements.
Roles and responsibilities:
- Lead and manage the kitchen operation for the residence preparing meals for the Head of Mission as well as a large number of official events. These range from (in)formal breakfasts, lunches, and afternoon teas, workshops and afternoon teas as well as special events.
- Responsible for creating innovative and modern menus, and applying culinary trends to prepare food in line with the objectives of each event or occasion
- Select and buy the necessary ingredients for preparing meals. Actively seek out and compare prices of food stock to ensure quality, and value for money.
- Knowledge of special dietary restrictions and ability to come up with creative alternatives.
- Negotiate effectively with external vendors and contractors, to ensure that we get excellent value for money.
- The successful candidate may be required to provide wider Residence support e.g. helping with set-up for major events.
- Manage food supplies, equipment, and work areas. Build organisation and functionality in kitchen operation.
- Be responsible for kitchen hygiene and sanitation practices as well as follow kitchen safety standards. In accordance with the FCDO Health & Safety guidance and apply it in practice, create and deliver weekly/monthly cleaning schedules for the kitchen area.
- Support the Residence Manager collecting receipts and related paperwork, ensuring compliance with the embassy’s financial requirements and ethics.
- Liaise with the Events Officer and Residence Manager and other Organisers in the preparation of all official events, ensuring timely and effective delivery through effective communication and directing additional kitchen staff as required.
- Perform the role of Line Manager for 2 staff members (Maid and housekeeper). Ensure that they perform their duties to the highest quality standards.
Resources managed
- Effective line Management of 2 x S3 members of staff (Maid and housekeeper): ensuring challenging SMART objectives are set, effective and appropriate delivery (performance) throughout the financial year, promote learning and development in line with corporate policies and prepare tailored PDPs as appropriate within available resources.
- Food and Wine stocks, Appliances and kitchen equipment
- Formal culinary training and qualification
- Delivering under pressure, on time and with high quality
- Verifiable experience as cook or chef in local or international restaurants or catering firms
- Good communication, organisational, customer service, planning and problem-solving skills
- Excellent kitchen management and food hygiene control
- Ability to respond quickly to feedback
- Experience of leading a team on a day to day basis and supervision when catering for larger events.
- English proficiency B2 on the CEFRL or equivalent (verifiable)
Language requirements:
Language: Spanish and English
Level of language required: English proficiency B2 on the CEFRL or equivalent.
- Proven experience in successfully catering for big events
- Knowledge of oenology and matching wines with meals
- Command of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Outlook)
The successful candidate must be eligible to work and live in Venezuela.
The FCDO provides extensive learning and development opportunities through the Caracas L&D Group. The successful candidate will be required to carry out basic training on arrival in order to access the relevant FCDO systems.
Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.
Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6-12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.
The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package. This package includes generous vacation and leave time, flexible working patterns, and an enriching learning and development opportunities.
Job is full time, 37.25 hours/week. Flexible working is required for occasional early morning or regular evening duties. Extra hours worked are compensated with time off in lieu and overtime payment.
