Director of Food & Beverage/ Executive Chef

Legends Global, the leader in privately managed public assembly facilities, is seeking a Director of Food and Beverage/Executive Chef to oversee daily management of the Food and Beverage Department at the Ithaca Downtown Conference Center.

About the Role

This position directs and coordinates the entire food and beverage operation, including concessions, mobile carts, general event catering, culinary, catering sales, menu development, financials, and budgets. The role involves both hands-on management and supervision of subordinate staff, with a focus on delivering high-quality service and maintaining compliance with health and safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Daily management of the Food & Beverage departmental operations and personnel.
• Create Food and Beverage sales projections and budgets for facility events.
• Ensure compliance with Health Department regulations, Alcohol beverage service guidelines, and sanitation standards.
• Inspect and taste prepared food to maintain quality standards.
• Oversee menu engineering, development, and detailed costing for concessions operations.
• Carry out supervisory responsibilities, including interviewing, hiring, training, performance appraisals, and addressing employee concerns.
• Work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Order, receive, and prepare all food items while maintaining food costs and budget goals.
• Produce required products according to Banquet Event Orders for each event.
• Entertain prospective clients through Chef’s tables.
• Maintain an active role in the local hospitality community and professional associations.
• Attend in-house event-related meetings and relay changes to other departments.
• Maintain cleanliness and annual maintenance of all kitchen equipment.
• Participate in promotional media events to promote the facility.
• Hire and train kitchen and stewarding staff, including ServSafe and Health Department compliance.
• Manage culinary and stewarding personnel to meet labor and production objectives.
• Oversee retail production and deliverability.
• Maintain a Health Department score of 90 or higher.

Requirements

• Certificate or degree from an accredited culinary school, college, or technical school preferred.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a management-level position in Food & Beverage or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Previous experience in overall Food & Beverage operations, sales, inventory control, cost control, and food preparation procedures.
• Experience in food purchasing (Catering & Concession), including price negotiations.
• Excellent knowledge of current culinary and concession trends, presentation, and food quality.
• Experience standardizing recipes, plating, and costing of menus.
• ServSafe Food and ServSafe Alcohol certified.
• PCI Compliance certification.
• Alcohol awareness certificate and training capabilities.
• Strong customer service orientation and ability to work with clients and staff.
• Results-driven with the ability to meet budgetary goals.
• Excellent organizational, multi-tasking, planning, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Prior supervisory experience required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs.
• Ability to be creative with buffet presentations and maintain a quality product.
• At least 8 years of culinary experience in a banquet facility producing meals for large events.

Skills

• Advanced oral and written communication skills.
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Excellent organizational, planning, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to undertake and complete multiple tasks.
• Ability to maintain local Health Codes and sanitation HACCP standards.
• Computer skills, including proficiency in Excel.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to move around the facility, stand for long hours during events, and talk/hear.
• May require work inside or outside the building as needed by events.
• Minimal stooping and lifting required.
• Substantial standing, walking, and manual dexterity to operate office equipment such as a computer.

Pay

Annual Salary Range: $78,000 - $90,000 based on experience.