Executive Pastry Chef @ Viking Cruises

PURPOSE OF POSITION

• The Executive Pastry Chef supervises and manages the onboard Pastry/Bakery Production, ensuring quality standards & procedures are in line with Company Procedures and STAR Service Standards.
• You are required to implement and maintain all service standards, menus and recipes as determined by the Corporate Office, and it is your duty to provide your team with ongoing training and support.
• It is your responsibility to ensure safe, quality pastry production, and to create a friendly, guest-oriented service culture to ensure Guest satisfaction and repeat business, which in turn, will increase revenue and profitability of the company.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work closely with the Kitchen Steward to accomplish tasks related to inventory, equipment control & maintenance, training & re-enforcement and all Public Health Policies.
• Provide the Crew & Officers’ Mess with a selection of pastry and bakery goods for all meals.
• Ensure that regular recipe reviews are conducted & adjusted accordingly and communicate findings to the Executive Chef & Corporate Office; make use of daily checklists to monitor production and preparation levels.
• Regularly communicate with the provisions team to utilize highly perishable food items and check fresh produce chillers, to avoid shortages/wastage during the cruise.
• Ensure that Bakery/Pastry personnel transport their provisions with the correct utensils; countercheck daily Storeroom deliveries, for accuracy.
• Assist in conducting the Dinner Service Line, which includes but is not limited to, ensuring smooth and efficient service, presentation and final plating; and tour all outlets during service hours.
• Minimize equipment loss/damage, and maintain immaculate cleanliness standards in relevant areas, by applying safe working policies and procedures, according to all Public Health Policies, and ensuring that all equipment is sanitized and returned accordingly, after each use.
• Be present during loadings for quality control and assurance; prepare daily electronic requisitions.
• Ensure that the pastry/adjacent areas are ready for any announced and/or unannounced Public Health Policy inspections, conducted either by the Ship’s Management or local authorities (Public Health Inspectors). The Executive Pastry Chef must be present for all inspections.
• Ensure that all menus, recipes, methods and specifications are adhered to, and spot-check all venues serving pastries/baked goods on a daily basis to ensure that all pastry/bakery outlets & displays are in line with the quality & cleanliness of Viking’s Standards and all Public Health Policies. Visit various pastry/baked goods preparation stations & conduct random tastings to correct any discrepancies (quality/taste/appearance) immediately.
• Assist the Executive Chef with preparing additional working schedules (Embarkation Day, Special Functions, etc.) for Pastry/Bakery personnel; have an in-depth understanding of the working hours policies and procedures; be familiar with crew contracts and work schedule hours/week, to maintain working hours paperwork and if necessary, correct entries for payroll.
• Lead and support a multi-cultural team, maximizing crew satisfaction, productivity and retention; meet with Team Leaders on a daily basis for “The Daily Reunion”, to provide feedback & operational updates as well as to ensure that your department is performing to Viking’s STAR Service Standards.
• Appoint and enforce specific job responsibilities to all key personnel working under the direction of the Executive Pastry Chef and establish the manner and means to train personnel.
• Provide competent leadership to all direct reports. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:Conducting performance reviews, including discipline as needed, ensuring Maritime Labor Convention(MLC) compliance and onboard training, succession planning, crew communication and recognition.
• Ensure you always wear the appropriate and task specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) asrequired for your duties onboard. Always use correct lifting techniques to prevent injuries.
• Uphold impeccable grooming standards within your team at all times by complying with Viking’s Imageand Uniform Standards.
• Ensure that company property is appropriately secured and protected, especially during rough weatherconditions, in order to prevent unnecessary loss or damage.
• Have full knowledge about safety & security procedures and can operate in line with all Public Health, Environmental and Safety & Security Policies; participate in all training concerning onboard training, safety & security, fire prevention, evacuation exercises as required by the company.

YOUR PROFILE

• A required minimum of eight years’ experience as an Executive Pastry Chef or similar position, within a premium brand hospitality environment.
• Advanced pastry & baking skills, covering sugar work, chocolate work and any other specialized skills, are required.
• Fluent in English - must have excellent English communication skills to clearly interpret and orate documents, such as menus and recipes. The ability to speak additional languages is an advantage.
• Must have experience in leading multi-cultural teams; flexible, stress resistant, committed team player; strong administration skills are preferred and must be proficient with PC based databases, spread sheets, and word processing systems.
• Guest-focused, service-oriented, positive personality, professional appearance and impeccable hygiene standards are required, with a proven and comprehensive knowledge of all Public Health and Sanitary Policies, team builder with exceptional work ethic, motivational skills, and coaching abilities.
• Must be at least twenty-one (21) years old, able to physically handle 50+ lbs. (30KGs) on a daily basis, and work a minimum of eleven hours a day, seven days a week.
• Previous cruise industry experience is an advantage.