Job Overview
Employment Type
Full-time
Compensation
Salary
Range $55,000.00 - $65,000.00
Work Schedule
Standard Hours
Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Paid Time Off
Retirement Plan
Employee Discounts
Training and development opportunities
flexible schedule
Job Description
Our company is a leading provider of K-12 school food services dedicated to nourishing students across multiple districts with healthy, delicious, and appealing meals. We understand the importance of good nutrition in the development and academic performance of children and aim to make a positive impact through our innovative meal programs. We pride ourselves on combining culinary creativity with operational efficiency to deliver outstanding food service experiences in schools. Our commitment to quality, food safety, and community engagement makes us a trusted partner in school nutrition.
The District Chef role is a pivotal leadership position designed for passionate culinary professionals who want to inspire and oversee school meal programs at a regional level. This full-time position offers a unique opportunity to creatively design menus that meet nutritional standards while mentoring and training kitchen teams to uphold high culinary and safety standards. District Chefs act as hands-on leaders, providing guidance and support to multiple kitchen teams, fostering a collaborative environment, and ensuring that every meal served contributes to the overall well-being of students. With a blend of innovation and operational oversight, this role is vital in shaping the future of student nutrition, introducing bold flavors and balanced meals that appeal to diverse tastes and dietary needs.
The position requires a strong background in kitchen operations, a passion for leading teams, and a genuine commitment to the health and happiness of children. District Chefs are tasked with recipe development, menu planning, conducting taste tests, executing culinary training programs, and managing food costs effectively. They collaborate closely with Cafeteria Managers and other stakeholders to ensure smooth, compliant, and creative food service experiences. This role also demands attention to food safety regulations, HACCP adherence, and maintaining high standards of cleanliness and presentation across all school kitchens in the district. Candidates will enjoy a challenging and rewarding career that allows them to make a real difference in school food service while honing their culinary and leadership skills.
The District Chef role is a pivotal leadership position designed for passionate culinary professionals who want to inspire and oversee school meal programs at a regional level. This full-time position offers a unique opportunity to creatively design menus that meet nutritional standards while mentoring and training kitchen teams to uphold high culinary and safety standards. District Chefs act as hands-on leaders, providing guidance and support to multiple kitchen teams, fostering a collaborative environment, and ensuring that every meal served contributes to the overall well-being of students. With a blend of innovation and operational oversight, this role is vital in shaping the future of student nutrition, introducing bold flavors and balanced meals that appeal to diverse tastes and dietary needs.
The position requires a strong background in kitchen operations, a passion for leading teams, and a genuine commitment to the health and happiness of children. District Chefs are tasked with recipe development, menu planning, conducting taste tests, executing culinary training programs, and managing food costs effectively. They collaborate closely with Cafeteria Managers and other stakeholders to ensure smooth, compliant, and creative food service experiences. This role also demands attention to food safety regulations, HACCP adherence, and maintaining high standards of cleanliness and presentation across all school kitchens in the district. Candidates will enjoy a challenging and rewarding career that allows them to make a real difference in school food service while honing their culinary and leadership skills.
Job Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- 3+ years of kitchen or back-of-house experience
- Food safety certification or ability to obtain within 2 weeks
- Ability to pass background check, fingerprinting, and MVR audit
- Physical ability to stand for long periods and lift up to 50 lbs
- Availability to work full-time
- Strong communication skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office
- Respect for diversity and inclusion
- Ability to travel to schools and meetings as needed
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)
Job Location
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