This is a professional/managerial position responsible for the overall catering program for AIA in house meetings and events, including weekday, weekend and evening functions. This involves providing fresh catered breakfasts, lunches, snacks and dinners, and beverage service, for internal and external AIA meetings and events. Meetings/events range from small coffee and beverage set-ups to large scale dinners and receptions. The Catering Director and Chef works closely with the AIA Event Planner and the Facilities Manager to carry out operational responsibilities as a team.

Job Duties:

Business responsibilities include:

• cost-effective, high quality food and beverage acquisition (delivery and/or pick-up) and compliant storage
• adequate stocking of all food and beverage items
• periodic cost analysis and comparisons of high volume food/beverage items
• compliant equipment and storage area maintenance
• equipment and kitchen supplies updating
• wait staff training, management, and scheduling
• health inspection, federal food code, and OSHA compliance (e.g. MSDS, grease disposal, storage requirements, etc.)
• kitchen, preparation area and service delivery area organization and cleanliness
• efficient and timely food/beverage services delivery
• achieving annual catering and beverage revenue goals
• maintaining appropriate health department certificates and professional licenses.
• effectively closing-out end-of-day or evening events (kitchen, security check, etc.)
• assuring timely payment of all service vendors.
• participating in tasting in local catering companies to determine who will be used for special Internal events as well as determining who will be approved to use the kitchen when hired by External clients

Creative responsibilities include:

• planning simple and complex menus for weekly and special events
• preparing food to meet the catering needs in the published weekly schedule
• providing diversity and rotation of food offerings and presentations
• identifying and using new recipes
• creating catering displays for alignment with themed event set-ups
• customizing menus for internal and external client needs and preferences
• providing accommodations for special dietary needs (food allergies)and preferences(vegetarian, vegan, low carb or low fat)

General responsibilities include:

• Assures that all staff kitchens are stocked with coffee and supplies; that the EVP/CEO’s refrigerator is stocked and that beverage and refreshments for the AIA president’s office are provided, as needed.
• Selects, orders, and receives all rentals i.e. linens, tables, china, etc.
• Oversees “shelter in place” food and beverages; regularly checks expiration date.
• Assures the sets-up, cleaning and stocking of the Social Gallery, and various stock rooms with food and beverage items.

Frequent contacts:
Other members of the HR team
AIA Staff
AIA Executive Office
External Clients
Food Service Vendors
Catering Service Vendors
Health Inspectors
1099 Wait Staff

KSAs and Training and Experience:

Considerable knowledge of the food service business and of current trends in food preparation and menu options. Skill in cost effective food and beverage ordering, storage and systematized use to minimize waste. Creativity in designing and preparing a variety of menu options for breakfasts, lunches, dinners and formal functions. Solid interpersonal and organizational skills and flexibility in accommodating last minute requests and adjusting guarantee numbers. Strong leadership and management of kitchen and food service areas, and oversight of temporary staff. Professional culinary training and experience. Must hold a valid culinary certificate and food handler’s license. Must maintain an active ABC license.

Special Requirements

Must be available to work with a flexible schedule at short notice and be willing to work weekends and nights without support staff.

Interested candidates should forward resume with cover letter and salary requirements to aiajobs@aia.org. Please reference job # FB05-26. For more information about the American Institute of Architect, please visit our website at www.aia.org.

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