Chef De Cuisine
Company : Highgate
Location : St Pete Beach, FL, 33706
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 4 January 2026
Compensation Type
YearlyHighgate Hotels
Highgate is a leading real estate investment and hospitality management company with over $15 billion of assets under management and a global portfolio of more than 400 hotels spanning North America, Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America.
With a 30-year track record as an innovator in the hospitality industry, this forward-thinking company provides expert guidance through all stages of the property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition. Highgate continues to demonstrate success in developing a diverse portfolio of bespoke lifestyle hotel brands, legacy brands, and independent hotels and resorts, featuring contemporary programming and digital acumen. The company utilizes industry-leading revenue management tools that efficiently identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive outperformance and maximize asset value.
With an executive team of seasoned hospitality leaders and corporate offices worldwide, Highgate is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands. www.highgate.com
Location
Discover more sun and more fun! Escape to a tropical beachfront paradise complete with everything you need for the perfect getaway, including delicious dining, beachfront bars, relaxing comforts, and endless activities. Here you’ll stay at one, play at two — with two connecting resorts right on the soft white sands of St. Pete Beach. Whether you’re looking for family fun, a romantic retreat, a group getaway, or anything in between, it’s all here at TradeWinds Island Resorts. https://www.tradewindsresort.com/careers
Overview
Follow your passion all the way to paradise at TradeWinds Resort, a Tampa Bay Times Top Workplace for seven years in a row! TradeWinds features two destination resorts just 200 flip flops from one another along the gorgeous Gulf Coast on St. Pete Beach, a Top-Ranked US Beach.
The Chef De Cuisine is responsible for ensuring that all meals coming from the kitchen are well prepared with regard to quality, consistency, eye appeal, taste and food cost. He/she is expected to provide training for all staff; meet corporate quality standards; and assist in establishing and enforcing food specifications, portion control, recipes and sanitation. The Senior Restaurant Chef is also responsible for controlling food and labor costs while maximizing guest satisfaction.
Responsibilities
- Work with other F&B managers and keep them informed of F&B issues as they arise.
- Keep immediate supervisor fully informed of all problems or matters requiring his/her attention.
- Coordinate and monitor all phases of loss prevention in kitchen areas.
- Prepare and submit required reports in a timely manner.
- Monitor quality of all food product and presentation.
- Ensure preparation of required reports, including (but not limited to) wage progress, payroll, revenue, employee schedules, quarterly actions plans.
- Oversee all aspects of the daily operation of the kitchen and food production areas; hot food from the main kitchen and bakery, and cold food from the pantry.
- Make cooks aware of daily forecasts and customer counts so that they can be adequately prepared to serve both hot and cold food on time.
- Respond to guest complaints in a timely manner.
- Ensure compliance with SOP’s in all outlets.
- Ensure compliance with requisition procedures.
- Attend all meetings as required.
- Conduct staff performance reviews in accordance with Highgate Hotel standards.
- Understand, implement and monitor corporate promotions in outlets, including buffet and three-meal concept standards.
- Know and enforce all local health department sanitation laws.
- Work with the Executive Chef and Director of F&B to create and implement menus.
- Design and employee cafeteria rotating menu and oversee cafeteria operations.
- Assess food portion size, visual appeal, taste and temperature of items served.
- Check all stations at the end of every shift for proper food storage and sanitation.
- Review and approve weekly payroll.
- Check food purchases for proper ordering, quality and price structure.
- Oversee daily activities such as preparation for all food items, sanitation of the outlets, receiving daily inventories, log-on report and food cost report.
- Prepare daily food production sheets.
- Cut meat, poultry, and seafood according to daily business.
Qualifications
- At least 5 years of related progressive experience; or a culinary graduate with at least 3 years of progressive experience in a hotel or a related field.
- Must have knowledge of F&B preparation techniques, health department rules and regulations, liquor laws and regulations.
- Long hours sometimes required.
- Medium work - Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 20 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
- Maintain a warm and friendly demeanor at all times.
- Must be able to effectively communicate both verbally and written, with all level of employees and guests in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service oriented manner.
- Must be effective at listening to, understanding, and clarifying concerns raised by employees and guests.
- Must be able to multitask and prioritize departmental functions to meet deadlines.
- Approach all encounters with guests and employees in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service-oriented manner.
- Attend all hotel required meetings and trainings.
- Participate in M.O.D. coverage as required.
- Maintain regular attendance in compliance with Highgate Hotel Standards, as required by scheduling, which will vary according to the needs of the hotel.
- Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming, which include wearing nametags.
- Comply with Highgate Hotel Standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient hotel operations.
- Maximize efforts towards productivity, identify problem areas and assist in implementing solutions.
- Must be effective in handling problems, including anticipating, preventing, identifying and solving problems as necessary.
- Must be able to understand and evaluate complex information, data, etc. from various sources to meet appropriate objectives.
- Must be able to maintain confidentiality of information.
- Perform other duties as requested by management.
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Frequently asked questions
In St Pete Beach, FL, Chef De Cuisine positions often emphasize tropical cuisine and beachfront resort dining, requiring adaptability to seasonal tourist influx and local fresh seafood. Compared to other Florida coastal areas, chefs here balance high-volume hotel service with an upscale, relaxed atmosphere, demanding unique leadership in staff coordination and menu creativity.
St Pete Beach’s vibrant tourism industry sustains a steady demand for skilled Chef De Cuisine candidates, especially within luxury resorts and boutique hotels. The local market favors culinary leaders capable of managing diverse food operations and elevating guest dining experiences, making it a competitive but rewarding area for culinary experts.
Prospective chefs should showcase expertise in coastal cuisine, proficiency in large-scale kitchen management, and hands-on knowledge of sanitation and food cost control. Highlighting experience with tropical ingredients, menu innovation, and team training aligns well with the hospitality style predominant in St Pete Beach’s resort-driven environment.
Advancing from a Chef De Cuisine role at a Highgate-managed resort often leads to executive chef or culinary director positions. Professionals can leverage operational leadership experience and menu development skills to transition into broader food and beverage management or regional culinary oversight within hospitality portfolios.
Highgate emphasizes comprehensive kitchen oversight, integrating advanced revenue management insights and corporate quality standards. Their Chef De Cuisine is expected to actively collaborate with F&B leadership, enforce strict compliance protocols, and contribute to strategic menu design that aligns with the company’s boutique lifestyle brand ethos.
Highgate fosters an innovative hospitality culture valuing teamwork, professionalism, and guest-centric service. Chefs are expected to maintain high appearance standards, engage in ongoing training, and adapt to diverse dining concepts, reflecting the company’s dedication to quality and digital-forward operational excellence.
Chef De Cuisine salaries in St Pete Beach typically range from $65,000 to $85,000 yearly, depending on experience and establishment prestige. Positions at upscale resorts or companies like Highgate often offer competitive pay packages aligned with market trends, plus potential bonuses tied to food cost management and guest satisfaction metrics.
While a Sous Chef focuses mainly on supporting kitchen operations and staff supervision, the Chef De Cuisine carries broader responsibilities such as menu planning, budget oversight, and ensuring compliance with corporate standards. The latter role demands strategic leadership to harmonize culinary quality with business objectives.
Mastering the Chef De Cuisine role builds essential skills in large-scale kitchen management, staff development, and financial controls, all critical for executive chef positions. This experience signals readiness to oversee multiple outlets, innovate menus, and lead culinary teams across broader geographic regions.
Knowledge of Florida’s specific food safety laws and health codes is vital, including ServSafe certification and compliance with local sanitation guidelines. Familiarity with liquor licensing and workplace safety regulations also enhances a Chef De Cuisine’s ability to maintain legal and operational standards in the St Pete Beach hospitality context.