Job Overview

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Compensation

Salary
Range $65,000.00 - $70,000.00
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Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Paid Time Off
Retirement Plan
Professional development opportunities
Employee Discounts
Flexible spending account

Job Description

Our company specializes in K-12 food service, focusing on delivering nutritious and appealing meals to students across multiple schools within a district. As a leader in school nutrition programs, we are committed to fostering healthy eating habits among children by providing flavorful, balanced menus that meet stringent nutrition and safety standards. We work with a diverse range of communities, ensuring inclusivity and respect in every facet of our operations.

We are currently seeking a dedicated and experienced District Chef to join our team. This role is pivotal in shaping the quality and creativity of our school meal programs on a district-wide scale. The District Chef will design balanced menus, develop new recipes, conduct culinary training, and lead menu implementation across multiple schools. This position offers a unique blend of culinary creativity, leadership, and operational oversight, empowering a passionate chef to make a tangible impact on students' daily nutrition. The role demands a hands-on leader who can inspire kitchen teams, manage food safety compliance, and maintain high culinary standards while working closely with cafeteria managers and staff.

The District Chef will be instrumental in creating cost-effective and appealing meal plans that utilize both commodity and purchased ingredients, ensuring each menu is both nutritious and budget-conscious. This role includes responsibilities such as conducting taste tests, chef demonstrations to engage students and staff, overseeing food orders, and monitoring cost control. The ideal candidate is someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, has strong communication skills, and demonstrates a commitment to supporting and mentoring diverse kitchen teams.

Employment is full-time with typical workweeks ranging from 50 to 60 hours, which may occasionally include 6-7 day workweeks. The role involves physical demands such as standing for long periods, lifting up to 50 pounds, and frequent bending and reaching. Travel to various schools and company meetings is also required. This position requires a background check, fingerprinting, and motor vehicle record audit to ensure safety and compliance.

Join us as a District Chef and bring your culinary expertise and leadership skills to the frontlines of K-12 food service. Help us transform school meals into memorable, nutritious experiences that fuel the success of students every day.

Job Requirements

  • High school diploma or GED required
  • 3+ years of experience in kitchen/back-of-house operations
  • prior school food service experience strongly desired
  • food safety certification (or ability to obtain food handler's card within 2 weeks)
  • must be able to pass a background check, fingerprinting, and MVR audit
  • proficiency with Microsoft Office and basic computer systems
  • physical ability to stand for long periods and lift up to 50 pounds
  • willingness to work a 50-60 hour workweek including possible 6-7 day workweeks
  • ability to travel to multiple school locations
  • clear communication skills
  • must be respectful and inclusive

Job Qualifications

  • High school diploma or GED required
  • associate's degree in Culinary Arts or related bachelor's degree strongly preferred
  • 3+ years of experience in kitchen/back-of-house operations
  • prior school food service experience strongly desired
  • knowledge of budgeting and food cost control required
  • strong culinary skills with hands-on leadership experience
  • food safety certification (or food handler's card within 2 weeks of hire) required
  • must be able to pass a background check, fingerprinting, and MVR audit
  • clear, professional communication skills
  • proficiency with Microsoft Office and basic computer systems
  • must be respectful, inclusive, and able to work with diverse communities
  • basic cooking and cleaning abilities required

Job Duties

  • Prepare and cook food according to standardized recipes and production records
  • create new recipes using commodity and purchased ingredients
  • conduct taste tests and chef demonstrations with students and staff
  • design cost-effective, appealing, and nutritionally balanced student menus
  • enter menus into the nutritional analysis program
  • place food and supply orders while monitoring cost control
  • train kitchen staff on food safety, HACCP, cooking techniques, and presentation
  • collaborate with Cafeteria Managers to ensure meal quality
  • follow all local health department and company safety regulations
  • supervise and evaluate kitchen team members
  • submit reports as assigned and ensure timely compliance
  • support other duties as assigned to improve culinary operations

Job Criteria

Experience

Mid Level (3-7 years)


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