Banquet Chef

Top Prospect Group LLC

Cooperstown, NY

JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$70,000–$85,000 Per Year
LOCATION
Cooperstown, NY
POSTED
30+ days ago
Job Title: Banquet Chef
Location: Cooperstown, NY
Salary: $70,000 – $85,000 (Based on experience)
Type: Full-Time
Housing Benefit: Up to 2 months rent-free employee housing available while relocating
Overview
The Banquet Chef is responsible for overseeing all culinary operations for banquets, weddings, and planned events, serving high-volume functions throughout the year and peak summer season. This role acts as the kitchen leader in the absence of the Executive Sous Chef and plays a critical role in food quality, execution, sanitation, staffing coordination, and event readiness.
The Banquet Chef supports events ranging from intimate gatherings to large-scale functions of up to 50+ catering staff, working closely with Food & Beverage leadership, the Executive Chef, and external partners including the Baseball Hall of Fame and local museums.
This is a hands-on leadership role for a chef who thrives in high-volume, high-visibility environments.
Key Responsibilities
Culinary Operations & Event Execution
  • Lead all culinary operations for banquets, weddings, and planned events
  • Ensure banquet kitchens are fully prepared and service-ready for each event
  • Brief banquet kitchen staff daily on upcoming and current functions
  • Execute and oversee preparation of all hot food items while supervising garde manger and cold food production
  • Supervise and produce visually appealing buffet and event displays
  • Ensure food meets all quality, quantity, and presentation standards
  • Verify all food is prepared to proper specifications and timelines
Leadership & Team Management
  • Act as kitchen manager in the absence of the Executive Sous Chef
  • Build team morale through training, leadership, and positive feedback
  • Delegate tasks effectively and support staff during high-volume service
  • Control kitchen labor hours, minimize overtime, and enforce scheduled shifts
  • Support staffing needs during peak summer season (up to 6 days per week)
Planning, Inventory & Cost Control
  • Assist with monthly inventory counts
  • Monitor portion control, waste reduction, and food cost management
  • Receive, inspect, and ensure proper storage of food and supplies
  • Review and update recipes; develop seasonal and specialty menu items
  • Collaborate with the Executive Chef on banquet menu development and execution
Sanitation, Safety & Compliance
  • Maintain all sanitation, health, and safety standards in work areas
  • Ensure compliance with NY Health Department codes and internal standards
  • Practice and enforce safe food handling, preparation, and cooking procedures
  • Execute end-of-day kitchen closing procedures
  • Ensure all banquet kitchen equipment and refrigeration is operational
  • Maintain personal and professional grooming and cleanliness standards
  • Implement and enforce workplace safety procedures
Communication & Coordination
  • Attend morning BEO meetings and execute event instructions accordingly
  • Communicate effectively with all Food & Beverage outlets
  • Partner with leadership to ensure smooth execution of events tied to museums, cultural institutions, and major attractions
Qualifications
  • Prior Banquet Chef or high-volume culinary leadership experience required
  • Strong culinary execution skills with a focus on consistency and presentation
  • Experience managing large catering teams (up to 50 staff during peak events)
  • Proven ability to work under pressure in fast-paced environments
  • Certification in sanitation and workplace safety preferred
  • Ability to work early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays (required)
  • Strong planning, organization, and communication skills
Benefits & Perks
Core Benefits
  • Free health and vision insurance (employee)
  • Dental coverage
  • 401(k)
  • FSA
  • Profit-sharing pension plan (10% of annual income, vested after 3 years)
  • Free term life insurance (1x annual salary)
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Optional Teledoc coverage ($10/month – family included)
Time Off & Lifestyle
  • 13 paid holidays (including birthday)
  • Vacation:
    • 80 hours (Years 1–4)
    • 120 hours (Years 5–9)
    • 160 hours (Year 10+)
  • 56 hours sick time annually
  • Free hot meals while working
  • Free gym membership
  • 25% Retail, restaurant, spa, and golf discounts
  • Friends & family room discounts
Educational Support Program
After one year of full-time employment:
Student Loan Repayment
  • $500 per quarter after Year 1
  • $750 per quarter after Year 2
Education Sponsorship
  • 50% reimbursement for approved industry-related education
  • Up to $5,000 per calendar year
  • One-year post-completion employment commitment required
Interested Candidates – Apply Today
Please submit:
  • Resume
  • Salary expectations
  • Availability and at least one professional reference
#INDTPGSHELTON

About the Company

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Top Prospect Group LLC

Top Prospect Group founders and management team offer more than 75 years of combined experience in Information Technology, Creative & Marketing, and Finance & Accounting staffing and solutions. Our fundamental goal is to build successful relationships resulting in accurate job and prospect representations. We meet with those we work with face-to-face to garner a better understanding of candidate or client requirements. By leveraging our experience and market insight, we are able to provide a more consistent recruitment process. Motivated by a partnership philosophy, our staff possesses a deep understanding of how to forge mutually beneficial long-term relationships. We believe in what we do and continuously strive for excellence.

COMPANY SIZE
20 to 49 employees
INDUSTRY
Staffing/Employment Agencies
FOUNDED
2009
WEBSITE
http://www.topprospectgroup.com/