OVERVIEW

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.
Reporting to the Executive Chef of Catering and working closely with the rest of the Contigo Catering team, the Sous Chef assists in the planning, organizing, training, and leadership necessary to achieve objectives in line with company goals regarding costs, employee retention, food execution, and cleanliness & sanitation while delivering unique, excellent meals that our clients rave about. They also get the chance to show off their skills and play key roles in special events, such as whole animal roasts at outdoor events or a live fire exhibition at the Austin Food & Wine Festival.
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.

SUMMARY OF WHAT’S EXPECTED

Creative & Forward-Thinking
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
Part science, you don’t shy away from analyzing data & numbers, and you use them to help guide decision-making.
Proactive & Self-Motivated
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
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
You anticipate the needs of your team, are able to hold people accountable without micromanaging them, and consider yourself a mediator.
Detail-oriented
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
You finish projects that you start and over-deliver on expectations.
Quality-focused
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
You have the desire & ability to roll up your sleeves and get in the trenches with event staff as required.
Strong organizational skills
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
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
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:

• 3+ years of sous chef experience; 5+ years of professional cooking experience. Restaurant experience required. Catering experience is helpful, but not a dealbreaker; we don’t want you stuck in old ways of another company.
• Demonstrated experience of quality and consistency a major plus.
• Exceptional organization, communication, and interpersonal skills; a knack for keeping multiple projects in mind, properly and consistently ensuring that key messages cascade across the team and our client base, keeping everyone in the know.
• Track record of leadership skills and/or team management experience, holding others accountable to goals while working alongside them.
• Proficient computing skills including Google Drive, Microsoft Office, etc.
• Passion for good food and drink, events that inspire, and a volition to provide Texas style hospitality every step of the way.
• Ability to integrate into the culture of Contigo Catering, and be a steward for this company no matter where you are.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that matches the above description, somethings including evenings, holidays, and weekends in accordance with business demands.

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 this second conversation also shows alignment, promising candidates will be invited to participate in a full-length interview that lasts approximately 1-2 hours.
• 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. We expect to make a hire ASAP.
  Think this job is the 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!

• 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, but are also comfortable stepping into the lead when the Executive Chef isn’t present. 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