EXECUTIVE CHEF 1- University of South Carolina Greek House Chefs

The University of South Carolina, located in Columbia, SC, is a prestigious public university known for its commitment to excellence in education, research, and community engagement. As a flagship institution in South Carolina, it offers a vibrant campus environment with diverse opportunities for faculty, staff, and students alike. The university employs a variety of skilled professionals to maintain its dynamic facilities and provides comprehensive services, including food and hospitality services, to support its academic community. One such service is the Greek House Chefs (GHC) program, which operates kitchen facilities dedicated to providing high-quality meals to Greek life organizations on campus. This ensures a balanced and enjoyable dining experience consistent with the expectations of the student community. The Executive Chef role is central to the culinary leadership within this program, ensuring that kitchen operations run smoothly, efficiently, and in alignment with budgetary and quality standards.

The Executive Chef position at the University of South Carolina’s GHC Kitchen in Columbia, SC, offers a full-time employment opportunity with a salary range between $45,000 and $50,000. This role demands a skilled culinary professional to manage and direct all kitchen activities effectively. The Executive Chef is responsible not only for preparing and overseeing food quality but also for recruiting, training, and managing kitchen personnel. A key aspect of the role is menu planning, with an emphasis on modifying or creating new menus that adhere to both quality and nutritional standards set by GHC. The Executive Chef carefully manages the culinary budget, food purchasing, and ensures all kitchen activities comply with health and sanitation standards.

This position requires the individual to communicate regularly with both house management and GHC supervisors to maintain client satisfaction. The chef will also use various technology tools such as the Greek House Chefs App for menu submission, budget tracking, and scheduling. A minimum work week of 45 to 50 hours is expected, with open availability required for up to three special events per semester, which the Executive Chef must plan and execute per the house’s specifications.

In addition to overseeing the culinary team and kitchen operations, the Executive Chef performs routine inspections to maintain food quality, cleanliness, safety, and adherence to company standards. Other essential duties include developing recipes, coordinating training programs for kitchen and service staff, and maintaining positive professional relationships with suppliers and clients. The role expects the Executive Chef to dress professionally and maintain a clean appearance in the designated uniform while on duty.

The ideal candidate will possess 2 to 3 years of experience as a Lead Sous Chef or Executive Chef or hold a culinary degree. Skills such as problem sensitivity, manual dexterity, critical thinking, active listening, and communication are necessary for success. Candidates must hold or obtain ServSafe certification within the first available class after employment and maintain a valid food handler’s card if required by state law.

Physically, this role demands significant time spent standing, walking, and lifting up to 50 pounds at times. The Executive Chef should demonstrate strengths in dependability, cooperation, stress tolerance, and attention to detail to thrive in the fast-paced, high-standard environment of the University of South Carolina’s catering and culinary services. This comprehensive culinary leadership role offers a rewarding career opportunity within an esteemed educational institution's food service division.