Culinary Director

Company Overview:
Kitchen Window is an internationally recognized gourmet kitchen store and cooking school for the passionate cook…and those who aspire to be. Kitchen Window offers certified culinary specialists to answer even the toughest of questions, over 12,000 gourmet kitchen products, cooking classes with something for everyone and private cooking events perfect for corporate teambuilding. Since 1989, Kitchen Window has remodeled and expanded 5 times to continue to meet and exceed the expectations of its loyal customers. Currently, Kitchen Window has over 5,000 sq.ft. of retail space, 3,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space, and an 1,800 sq. ft. state of the art Cooking School & Event Center. The store has a national reputation and prides itself in its knowledgeable staff and in-depth inventories. In 2001, Kitchen Window received the National GIA Award (Global Innovator Award – the houseware industry’s top award for retail excellence) and later that year was awarded one of 4 International GIA Awards.
Kitchen Window: For the passionate cook…and those who aspire to be.

What We Are Looking For:
Kitchen Window is currently seeking a Culinary Director to manage our Award Winning Cooking School & Event Center. This is an amazing opportunity for the right individual who wants to be part of the fast-paced culinary scene in Minneapolis. We pride ourselves on offering the best culinary experience in the Twin Cities and are looking for someone who will strive to exceed our standard of excellence. The ideal candidate will have experience in the marketing/branding of service based business, as well as retail marketing experience. They must also be willing to conform to a non-traditional work schedule.
REQUIREMENTS
General Responsibilities:
•Manage overall operations of recreational Cooking School & Private Event Center including the marketing of the facility and the services it provides.
•Market, prospect and sell private event services to corporate and private clients.
•Manage 2 full time staff, 25 part time service staff
•Oversee the management of 75 volunteers and 65 instructors.
•Coordinate all aspects of private cooking events from the initial client contact, menu planning, scheduling service staff, to ensuring the detailed execution of the event created an exceptional customer experience.
•Manage relationships with school partners (i.e. Viking, Cambria) and support these partners through promotional opportunities (i.e. Home & Garden Show, Food & Wine Show)
•Manage the production of Cooking School Catalog.
•Ensure the vision and direction of our program continually exceeds our standards.


Skills Desired:
•Ability to multi-task on a daily basis
•Ability to respond quickly and calmly as situations may present themselves
•Ability to work with multiple and diverse personalities
•A passion for food, cooking, and entertaining
•Excellent customer service skills
•Excellent writing skills
•Excellent communication skills

Requirements:
•College degree in marketing, communications or other related field
•3-4 years marketing experience, preferably of service based business
•3-4 years sales experience
•3-4 years management experience
•Ability to work non-traditional hours
•Additional consideration will be given to individuals who have a strong culinary background

Kitchen Window offers a competitive salary, bonus potential, 401K, medical & dental insurance.