Culinary Director

Company Description

Located on the sun-drenched Kohala Coast, on sacred land marked by royal fishponds, natural lava plains, lush tropical gardens, and alluring beaches, Mauna Lani – meaning "mountain reaching heaven" – is an inspiring spiritual haven, defining a new era of experiential luxury on the Island of Hawaii. A resort for the generations, with contemporary guest rooms, suites, and private residences, CanoeHouse oceanfront dining, three distinct pools, a signature spa and wellness haven, and Kainalu Ocean Sports program, set the tone for transformational experiences and enriching cultural immersion.

For more information:
Follow Mauna Lani on Facebook and Instagram @MaunaLaniAuberge

Job Description

The base salary range for this position is $175k - $200k.

Be the culinary virtuoso orchestrating the epicurean positioning and culinary operations for the property, creating the most sought-after dining experiences. Develop a kitchen culture that attracts top-tier talent and connects our culinary story to the region.

The ideal candidate will excite and inspire our guests with quality-driven, food and beverage programs and thoughtfully layered epicurean experiences. With a passion for innovation, creativity, and an eye for detail, you will play a key role in elevating our establishment's reputation among the world's finest luxury resorts.

• Develop new culinary concepts, innovative menus, and unique dining experiences that align with the resort's vision and positioning as a luxury destination.
• Collaborate with other departments to ensure a cohesive and exceptional customer experience, from reservation to departure, with a special focus on the dining experience.
• Oversee the deployment of the strategy and business plan for the property to deliver on our mission of being the best-loved operator of one-of-a-kind luxury hospitality and experiences.
• Responsible for building a rich culture of trust, pride, and joy that will result in high employee advocacy and engagement.
• Leading Service Excellence to ensure the fundamentals are in place for a successful embedding of our culture to be best loved.
• Lead and manage a team of chefs and kitchen team members, providing guidance, training and professional development to ensure a high level of performance and job satisfaction.
• Efficiently manage food and labor costs, controlling inventory, minimizing waste and ensuring optimal use of resources.
• Collaborate closely with other departments to ensure effective coordination of culinary operations with other areas of the resort.
• Identify and develop culinary talent within the team, providing growth and training opportunities to foster a highly competent and motivated kitchen team.
• Engaging and effervescent. Ability to tell an inspiring and passionate culinary story to the media and build connections with food writers, bloggers, influencers etc.
• Remain informed of global and local culinary trends, as well as new techniques and equipment, to drive innovation and continuous improvement in the resort's culinary offerings.
• Handle any food-related issues or complaints quickly and effectively, offering solutions and ensuring guests are satisfied with the resolution.
• Conduct a detailed analysis of all food and beverage costs, identifying areas of opportunity to improve staffing efficiency and reduce unnecessary expenses.
• Prepare regular reports on the financial performance of the food and beverage department, providing detailed analysis and recommendations to improve profitability.
• Effectively support owner relationships on behalf of Auberge, to ensure the owners maintain trust and confidence in our stewardship of their asset.

Qualifications

• 8+ years experience in a similar position, in a preferred luxury hotel setting or within a dynamic high end restaurant group
• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent, ideally in Culinary, Hotel Management, Kitchen Management, Business or a combination
• Able to work on a flexible schedule, including weekends and holidays, according to departmental and operational needs.
• Computer literacy in Microsoft Windows applications is required.

Additional Information

Auberge Collection is a portfolio of extraordinary hotels, residences, and private clubs. While each property is unique, all share a crafted approach to luxury and bring the soul of the locale to life through captivating design, exceptional cuisine and spas, and gracious yet unobtrusive service. With hotels across three continents, Auberge invites guests to create unforgettable stories in some of the world's most desirable destinations. Please visit to learn more about our Collection. Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Pinterest: @Auberge and #AlwaysAuberge

DHL Mahi Staffing, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, M/F/D/V. DHL Mahi Staffing, LLC provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all team members and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, DHL Mahi Staffing, LLC complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall,