Job Title: Chalet Host / Cook

Where?

Sainte Foy, France; Small unique ski resort in the Tarentaise Valley reknowned for its quiet pistes and off-piste possibilities. Close to Tignes, Les Arcs and Val D'Isere

When?

24 November 2009 through 30 April 2010

Salary

£130 - £150 per week for a qualified chef
£110 - £130 per week for someone who is not a qualified chef
Package includes:
- Superb accommodation
- Food and drinks
- A Sainte Foy ski pass
- Rental of skis/board and boots for the season
- Medical insurance
- Transport to and from the resort (from London)
- An additional performance-based bonus (0 to 4 times weekly salary) may also be awarded at the end of the season

Overview

The Chalet Host / Cook is responsible for providing whatever support is necessary to ensure the smooth running of all Snowology activities and to ensure that the Company's standards are maintained at all times.

This will be a highly flexible and ever-changing role. You must be highly adaptable and ready to support Mike and Monica with any job that arises.

The Chalet Host / Cook's primary responsibility will depend on if Snowology is operating Chalet Nicole or Chalet Anne (both sleeping 8-10 guests) as a catered chalet on a particular week. If so, the primary responsibility will be for the provision of unique, high quality meals, which are well presented and creatively put together. There will also some daily cleaning duties in the chalet.

If we are not operating an extra catered chalet, the Chalet Host / Cook's duties will include a combination of chalet support/housekeeping, ski videoing, driving and "general" duties. Please note that we will not require you to do all of the above jobs in addition to catering. The catering weeks will be more challenging as there will be some extra jobs for the team to take on but we will endeavor to balance this out in the team and give you extra free time during the quieter weeks.

Must have a very broad range of skills and high work standards, excellent organisational, communication skills, be flexible and adaptable and able to take both a leadership and support role depending on circumstances.

The hours are long and the job is physically and emotionally demanding and you need to be good at working as part of a team. You must have extremely high work standards, be customer-focused, self motivated and be conscientious.

Stamina and enthusiasm are essential.

Previous Experience

This role requires good people skills. You should have a relaxed and confident manner and experience in customer service.

You must have significant hands-on experience in the hotel and catering industry, possibly including housekeeping. Recognised catering qualification or extensive experience in catering is strongly preferred.

A genuine love of food and an energetic and courteous attitude is essential. Previous chalet work and spoken French are not necessary, but they are an advantage.

For your role as a ski videographer you should have a good standard of skiing or boarding and be competent on red and black runs. You should be confident at managing a group.

Driving license necessary. An International driver's license is required if you do not hold a UK driver's license.

Practical/handyman skills highly desirable; must be strong and fit.

Main Duties (Please note that these duties will vary from week to week)

Catering - (During weeks when we have guests in Chalet Nicole or Chalet Anne)
· Provides all meals to the Snowology standard, 6 days per week. Meals consist of: Breakfast, Afternoon tea, Children's high teas when necessary, 4-course dinner including a cheese course with appropriate wine/drinks/coffees. There may be help from other members of staff

· Prepares canapés for a champagne reception to welcome the guests to the chalet the first evening
· Responsible for presenting all meals in a careful and imaginative way
· Lays the table ready for dinner in a neat and inviting manner
· Serving, clearing away and washing up after the Children's High teas and the evening meal (There may be some assistance from other members of staff)

Meal Planning / Shopping Catering- (During weeks when we have guests in Chalet Nicole or Chalet Anne)
· Contacts guests (mainly party leaders) by telephone before their arrival to introduce yourself and "break the ice", confirms/ ensures that special dietary requirements are catered for.
· Submits a weekly menu plan for all dinner, breakfast and afternoon tea dishes to Monica
· Is capable and enthusiastic about providing variety in the menu plan.
· Takes the lead in the management of stocks of all items/requirements for the chalet (working with other members of staff as necessary): prepares a weekly shopping list on a timely basis.
· Is responsible for shopping for food and wine every week

Housekeeping (All weeks)
· Will be wholly responsible to completely change over Chalet Nicole (4 bedrooms) when necessary. This will include a complete clean (getting into all corners!) of the entire chalet and making up the rooms for the arrival of guests.
· Jointly responsible for the overall cleanliness and presentation of any Snowology chalets on changeover day; may have help of the other members of staff. Ensures that changeover is done as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
·On changeover day (and as required), organises the movement/distribution, assembly, dismantling and stock control of towels, linen, beds, children/infant equipment etc. Also collects and organises linen from chalets so that it is ready for dispatch to laundry.
· Jointly responsible for a towel change and mid-week clean of all chalets (A 'mid week clean' is a deeper clean of the chalet, than the normal 'daily clean')
· Ensures that all household equipment is maintained in the best possible condition
· Is able to identify what extra bits need to be done to keep the chalets clean to an exceptional level

· Housekeeping duties, If catering:
- Ensures that excellent standards of hygiene and cleanliness are maintained in/around the chalet at all times. Particular focus on the kitchen, kitchen equipment, dining room/area and food storage areas
- Cleans kitchen, kitchen equipment and dining room area, floors daily
- Ensures that fridge and freezer temperatures are maintained at a safe level for the storage and preservation of food; reports any issues immediately

Ski videoing (All weeks)
· Accompanies guests on a half day or day out skiing either in Sainte Foy or one of the surrounding resorts 1-2 days per week. Shows guests a great day out by planning an achievable route and offering challenges to those who are up for it. Incorporates a nice lunch, coffee or après ski stop.
· Videos and photographs guests during their day out. These photos and videos will be viewed in the evening by guests to watch their progress and will be put onto a CD and DVD for them to take home as a souvenir at the end of the week
· Is always aware of the fatigue of the group and tailors the route sufficiently to bring everyone back safely
· Never skis with our guests off-piste without a qualified guide and never gives instruction

If not catering, duties may include:
· Driving, seeing off or welcoming guests on changeover days
· Vehicle maintenance
· The daily clean in Chalet Sache and in any other chalets that Snowology is running. This will involve (but not be limited to):
- Making the beds, a 'hotel clean' of the bathrooms and a tidy and quick clean of lounge.
- Clearing rubbish when needed
- Laying the fire each morning and keeping the wood stocked up. Responsible for making sure there is enough kindling
- Topping up the free bar area in the chalet
· Day to day maintenance and 'extra cleaning duties' in chalets
· Cleaning of office area and Mike and Monica's flat
· Covers for/backs up for all chalet staff - in emergencies (e.g. illness/absence).
· Provides other assistance as requested by Monica or Mike

Guest relations
· Creates a warm, friendly and welcoming atmosphere for all guests - including all children
· Goes the 'extra mile' with guests to make them feel special and looked after.
· You will be expected to socialise with the guests on some evenings. Examples of this may be running a game or sitting down for a chat with a glass of wine after dinner. You must have a pleasant and patient personality and be a good host.
· Is available to answer any questions, or resolve any problems that the guests may have, always aiming to do whatever they reasonably can to ensure that guests have the best possible skiing holiday, whether on or off the slopes.
· Endeavours to exceed expectations. To enable this, is knowledgeable about the resort, its facilities and the Snowology website.

Snowology Team Support
· Provides whatever support is necessary for the smooth running of all Snowology activities.
·Responsible for serving, clearing and washing up for a continental breakfast on the chalet day off in Chalet Sache (Your day is flexible and will be dictated by the weekly schedule. It may be a different day or you may have a half day free the morning following the Chalet day off)
· Is able and enthusiastic about stepping in to any role to relieve any member of staff, if necessary (due to illness or absence, etc)
·Supports all activities associated with the start up and closing of all chalets and staff apartments and staff training as necessary.
· Is a good team player and supports and encourages other members of the team
· Maintains a positive attitude throughout the season

To apply:

Please send the following information by email to jobs@snowology.com :
· A detailed letter describing why you would like this job
· Your CV including your qualifications
· A 6-day menu plan (including canapés and vegetarian options)
· We will take references before making a formal job offer. Please provide two people who can provide these. One should be a recent former employer.

If you have any questions, please drop us an email Monica on jobs@snowology.com

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