Akers Dining Services Sous Chef

Michigan State University (MSU) is a renowned public research university located in East Lansing, Michigan, known for its commitment to academic excellence, innovative research, and community engagement. As a globally recognized institution, MSU fosters a dynamic and inclusive environment that supports the professional growth of its staff and offers diverse opportunities across various departments. One such department is Residential and Hospitality Services (RHS), which plays a crucial role in providing exceptional dining and hospitality experiences to the university community. RHS is dedicated to creating welcoming, safe, and high-quality dining environments across campus, including student residence halls and other university facilities. Their operations center around culinary excellence, customer service, and sustainable practices that align with MSU's values and mission.

Within this vital division, the Akers Dining Services Sous Chef position offers an exciting opportunity for culinary professionals seeking to advance their careers in a collegiate hospitality setting. This full-time role operates with a focus on maintaining high standards of food quality and service within MSU dining facilities. The Sous Chef will assist the Executive Chef by supervising and training the dining services production staff, managing food preparation and service, supporting ordering and planning efforts, and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations. This role demands hands-on leadership in kitchen operations and innovation in cooking techniques and equipment, which the Sous Chef will showcase by training the entire cooking staff.

The position requires a candidate with solid culinary knowledge and experience, ideally gained through culinary arts education and relevant work in food production and supervision. The Sous Chef will be instrumental in elevating guest dining experiences by implementing creative recipes, ensuring timely and efficient service, and maintaining excellent operational standards. Furthermore, personnel in this role are considered critical staff during university closures or emergencies, underscoring the importance of their responsibilities in supporting continuous dining services for the MSU community.

Scheduling for the Sous Chef position includes primarily afternoon and evening shifts from 2:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. across the week, with Thursdays off and alternating weekends off, providing a structured yet dynamic work schedule. Compensation is competitive and commensurate with the candidate's experience, reflecting MSU's commitment to rewarding skilled culinary professionals. This position not only offers a stable employment opportunity within a prestigious university system but also a chance to contribute to the vibrant campus life through culinary leadership and hospitality excellence.

Applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter detailing their qualifications and experience as part of the application process. Michigan State University is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion, offering fair employment consideration to all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, or veteran status. By joining MSU’s Residential and Hospitality Services team, the Sous Chef will become part of a supportive work environment committed to culinary innovation, teamwork, and delivering high-quality services to a diverse campus community. This role represents an excellent career step for culinary professionals passionate about food quality, team leadership, and operational excellence in a respected academic setting.