Junior Sous Chef - Pastry

Role Overview

Junior Sous Chef - Pastry at IHG Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza Muscat OCEC, located within the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre in Muscat.

Company Overview

Crowne Plaza Muscat OCEC is a five-star hotel combining modern luxury with traditional Omani hospitality. It offers exceptional accommodation, world-class dining, and state-of-the-art meeting and event facilities, serving business travellers, conference delegates, and leisure guests. Crowne Plaza is one of the largest and best-loved premium hotel brands globally, with more than 420 hotels in diverse locations. The brand's service philosophy, "Dare to Connect," is designed for human connection and encourages colleagues to use their initiative and personality to create memorable emotional connections with guests.

Role Purpose

The Junior Sous Chef is a key leadership position in the kitchen, responsible for assisting the Sous Chef and Executive Chef in managing kitchen operations, supervising culinary staff, and ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality dishes while supporting menu execution, staff training, inventory management, and compliance with food safety standards.

Key Responsibilities

Kitchen Operations & Leadership

• Assist the Sous Chef in overseeing daily kitchen operations and workflow.
• Supervise and coordinate kitchen staff, ensuring tasks are completed efficiently and to standard.
• Step in to manage the kitchen in the absence of the Sous Chef or Executive Chef.
• Promote teamwork, professionalism, and continuous learning within the kitchen team.

Food Preparation & Quality

• Monitor food preparation, cooking, and presentation across all outlets and banquets.
• Support the preparation, cooking, and plating of dishes according to recipes and quality standards.
• Conduct quality checks and taste tests to maintain consistency in flavor and presentation.
• Maintain high standards of food quality, presentation, and taste across all outlets.

Menu & Culinary Development

• Assist in menu planning, development of specials, and seasonal offerings.
• Collaborate with the culinary team to enhance guest dining experiences.

Compliance & Food Safety

• Ensure compliance with SOPs, portion control, and IHG culinary standards.
• Ensure kitchen operations adhere to health, safety, and sanitation regulations.
• Monitor hygiene standards in all kitchen areas, including storage, preparation, and cooking zones.
• Train kitchen staff on food safety, hygiene practices, and proper handling of equipment.

Inventory & Cost Management

• Assist in monitoring stock levels, ordering ingredients, and maintaining proper storage.
• Support efforts to minimize food waste and control food cost percentages.
• Track inventory usage and assist in maintaining accurate records for reporting purposes.

Staff Training & Development

• Mentor and train junior kitchen staff, including Commis and Demi Chef de Partie.
• Assist in conducting performance appraisals and providing constructive feedback.

Guest & Stakeholder Relations

• Address guest feedback or special requests promptly and professionally.
• Work closely with F&B management to ensure overall satisfaction and service excellence.

Qualifications & Experience

• Culinary degree or diploma from a recognized culinary institute preferred.
• Minimum 5–7 years of experience in a professional kitchen, with at least 2 years in a supervisory role.
• Experience in hotel or large-scale kitchen operations highly desirable.

Skills & Competencies

• Proficiency in various cooking techniques and culinary disciplines.
• Knowledge of kitchen equipment, food safety standards, and hygiene practices.
• Ability to manage inventory, portion control, and cost efficiency.
• Fluent in English (spoken and written); additional languages an advantage.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet service deadlines.
• Team player with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Additional Information

• Flexibility to work shifts, weekends, and public holidays required.
• Competitive salary that rewards your hard work.
• Full uniform provided.
• Impressive room discounts available.
• Access to some of the best training in the business.
• Well-being framework committed to supporting health, lifestyle, and workplace well-being.
• IHG Hotels & Resorts provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.