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Launched in 2014, Contigo Catering grew out of roots in the Contigo family ranch in Fredericksburg and Contigo Restaurant in Austin. Now our own independent company responding to rapid growth and high demand, we are a leader in custom catering in Central Texas. From backyard gatherings to large corporate banquets, Contigo Catering has the know-how to turn any special day into a memorable celebration... served with a slice of Texas hospitality. Our events are noteworthy for their custom crafted menus, exceptional hospitality, eye for style, seamless coordination, unique bar service, and a special catalog of package additions.

Contigo Catering is seeking a creative and skilled Tasting Chef to join our team. The Tasting Chef will be responsible for creating tasting menus based on the event details provided by the Total Party Planner/Sales Team. This includes preparing the necessary shopping list, sourcing ingredients from local suppliers like Hausbar Farms, and executing tastings throughout the week. The Tasting Chef must collaborate closely with the Executive Chef or Executive Sous Chef to utilize surplus products from Contigo Catering's main kitchen. A strong knowledge of pastry is essential for this role. The Tasting Chef will also be responsible for washing all tasting dishes and noting any recipe modifications in the Total Party Planner system. When necessary, the Tasting Chef will create new recipes under the guidance of the Executive Chef. This position requires weekly meetings with the Executive Chef and may also involve leading events and working events as needed.

As such, the ideal candidate has a strong track record of quality, is creative, adept at keeping track of multiple clients and communicating proactively with each player, and is capable of having fun while maintaining a high standard of accountability at every stage of our process. We are a small, tightly knit team that enjoys good food and values good people. We are seeking a candidate with long-term potential who will feel comfortable growing with us.

Location

Our office, kitchen, and warehouse are located in Southeast Austin at 3709 Promontory Point Drive, Suite B201, Austin Texas 78744. This role works out this address for all prep duties, but also involves travel to and presence at various event spaces throughout and around Austin, particularly downtown, Westlake, and Dripping Springs. As such, reliable transportation is required. Occasionally, travel to event locations like Marfa is required, and team support for transport is provided. Our policies also build in some flexibility for work from home hours based on week-to-week event loads.

Schedule
Full-time, 40-60 hours per week, exempt position. Preparation hours generally fall between 9 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday, though exact hours vary based on tasting schedules. This individual usually works one event a week on average. Night and weekend availability is definitely required, though it varies and includes nights off unlike usual restaurant commitments.

Compensation

Base salary of $60 - $70, commensurate with experience. This role also features incredible benefits: health & dental, unlimited paid vacation, paid holiday schedule, mileage and parking reimbursements, discretionary bonuses, swag, and more. Delicious breakfast, lunch, or dinner are a regular benefit of this role (maybe change up the wording here ), too. W2 Employee status.

Day-to-Day Ownership

This is an opportunity to impact and elevate the entire company daily. The Tasting Chef's day-to-day will reflect current events and ongoing priorities but can generally be designated within and held accountable to the following:

• Execute tasting menus based on the event details provided by the Total Party Planner/Sales Team.
• Develop a comprehensive shopping list including garnishes from Hausbar Farms and shop for necessary ingredients from local stores like Central Market.
• Tastings are held Tuesday through Friday, with Monday dedicated to shopping and prepping.
• Communicate with the Executive Chef or Executive Sous Chef to effectively utilize excess products from Contigo Catering's main kitchen.
• Possess strong pastry knowledge to execute all pastry dishes successfully.
• The Tasting Chef and any assigned assistants thoroughly wash all tasting dishes and small wares.
• Takes responsibility for kitchen upkeep, organization, and cleanliness at the Contigo Catering Tasting House.
• In the notes section of the Total Party Planner system, note any recipe modifications made during tastings and add them to the appropriate events.
• In the absence of a recipe, collaborate with the Executive Chef to create a recipe and method, documenting it in Parsley, our recipe management system.
• Utilize the Executive Chef's vision to artfully plate and garnish all tasting dishes.
• Attend weekly meetings with the Executive Chef to discuss upcoming events and menu planning.
• Take a leadership role and actively participate in events as necessary.
• Code all tasting receipts/invoices
• R&D new menu items, techniques & edible garnishes
• Attend weekly Kitchen Department meetings
• Make simple syrups for the server/bar for tastings
• Source bar juices and garnish for tastings
• Work as private chef for smaller, intimate dinner parties
• Help with kitchen prep on busier weeks

Outcomes

A successful candidate in this role embodies the following:

• Each and every one of our clients is satisfied. You make food that not only tastes amazing, but is beautifully presented, and you do it with consistency. Costs are managed really well, and extra product or waste re-routed with efficiency, quality, and creativity.
• You stay calm and handle change well. You can take directions without hesitation. You can even interface with clients and event attendees directly when necessary, comfortable sharing your process.
• You are a versatile team player, a resource and guide. You maintain a close connection with the Executive Chef and they can rely on you for support. You maintain high standards, but the team enjoys being around you, and you contribute creative ideas in a collaborative way that doesn't bring you head to head with Sales & Event staff.
• You take pride in your culinary executions and are excited to share these with our team and our clients.

Characteristics & Skills

Characteristic or Skill

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Summary of What's Expected

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Creative & Forward-Thinking

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Part art, you know flavor profiles and standards, but can also come up with new combinations and offerings with enjoyment and ease.

Comfortable with Numbers

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Part science, you don't shy away from analyzing data & numbers, and you use them to help guide decision-making.

Proactive & Self-Motivated

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You have an inherent ability to prioritize, and take action without being asked to do so and encourage others around you to become self-starters as well.

Problem Solver

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You're solution-oriented, all the time, but especially on site for events. You make it happen in ever-changing environments, and come up with creative options when others may be stumped. You have an ability to balance the focus on clients' needs with company needs, seeing the ‘big picture.'

Team player

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You anticipate the needs of your team, are able to hold people accountable without micromanaging them, and consider yourself a mediator.

Detail-oriented

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The little things matter to you; you notice minor discrepancies, unpolished glasses, or things that aren't quite right & dig in to not only understand them but to resolve them.

Finisher

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You finish projects that you start and over-deliver on expectations.

Quality-focused

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You don't call a project done until it's perfect & error-free, and strive to establish protocols to avoid repeating errors in the future.

Hands-on doer

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You have the desire & ability to roll up your sleeves and get in the trenches with event staff as required.

Strong organizational skills

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You're highly organized and have a place for everything that can be interpreted and accessed by others. You're not overwhelmed by shifting gears when needed, or keeping track of multiple clients and events at once.

Excellent planner

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You plan ahead on an hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, and annual basis to ensure commitments, deadlines, and goals are met whether last-minute or long-term.

Outgoing & Mindful

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You don't have to be that person that befriends everyone, but you're comfortable in a variety of spaces and sensitive to standards of communication with different types of clients. You help contribute to ensuring that our clients and team don't feel like a transaction, and instead like family.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate has:

• Proven experience as a Tasting Chef/Sous chef or in a similar culinary role.
• Strong passion and creativity for developing innovative tasting dishes.
• Extensive knowledge of pastry techniques and the ability to execute pastry dishes to a high standard.
• Familiarity with sourcing local ingredients and working with farmers or local suppliers.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills to successfully execute multiple tastings per week.
• Ability to work collaboratively with the Executive Chef and Sales Team to understand the client's vision and ensure tastings align with their expectations.
• Attention to detail to accurately document recipe modifications and add them to the Total Party Planner system & Parsley recipe management system .
• Ability to take direction and follow the Executive Chef's plating and garnishing instructions.
• Proven leadership skills to lead events and work events as necessary.
• Join our team of culinary professionals and showcase your talent as a Tasting Chef at Contigo Catering. Apply now to be a part of our dynamic and creative catering team.

Physical Requirements

Physical Requirements

• Ability to safely lift up to 50 lbs and engage in medium work, including being on your feet for a full shift
• Ability to type and operate necessary equipment, including cutting, peeling, and other duties that require fingering and dexterity
• Ability to withstand exposure to varying conditions of noise and sound, temperature, and environmental conditions both inside and outside, specifically including heat and cooking over open fire
• Ability to walk amidst varying terrains and perform onside event duties, climbing stairs and ramps, or occasionally stooping, kneeling, pushing, and pulling to assist with event production needs

Please note that Contigo Catering's offices are ADA compliant, and Contigo Catering will do their best to make accommodations for the qualified applicant with mobility limitations or other disabilities. We encourage everyone of differing abilities to apply, but while doing so, please let us know what accommodations are required in your working environment.

Contigo provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, marital status, or sexual orientation. We particularly encourage individuals who identify as BIPOC and LGBTQ+ to apply.

The responsibilities and duties listed above are intended to communicate general priorities for this position, but should not be understood as an exhaustive list of all job requirements to be completed through the duration of employment with Contigo Catering.

What to Expect After Applying

• We review all applications received. If your materials spark interest, we'll send you a brief questionnaire.
• If your responses are promising, we'll send you a link to a Culture Index Assessment. This brief 5-10 minute survey allows us to round out your submitted materials, and convene as a team to decide which candidates might be a good fit.
• If all of your materials above all seem to align and are promising, we'll invite you to an initial, 15 minute phone screening with the hiring manager.
• If the conversation proves fruitful, promising candidates will be invited to a 2nd phone screening with a member of our team.
• If this second conversation also shows alignment, promising candidates will be invited to participate in a full-length interview that lasts approximately 2-3 hours, and which includes a tasting.
• All candidates, whether good or bad news, will receive some form of notice regardless of which stage of the process they progress to.
• The above steps move at a pace that align with candidate response time, team availability, and other components. Generally speaking, we are looking to make a hire as soon as we identify the right fit.

Think this job is the right fit for you? We encourage you to apply! If the listing is still live, we're still looking for the right person. We look forward to hearing from you!