Sous Chef - Full Time

Creative Dining Services is a distinguished hospitality and facility management company that partners with colleges, universities, Fortune 100 companies, full-service senior living communities, conference centers, K-12 schools, and camps. With a strong commitment to creating a different kind of hospitality experience, Creative Dining Services emphasizes fun, innovation, and strong community focus in all of its offerings. The company is renowned for providing tailored dining and facility management services that enhance the quality of life and foster a sense of belonging within the communities it serves. Creative Dining Services also values diversity and inclusivity, proudly operating as an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintaining a veteran-friendly workplace. Their comprehensive approach ensures that employees can thrive in a supportive and dynamic environment while delivering exceptional service to clients and guests across multiple sectors.

Creative Dining Services at Auto Owners in Lansing, MI, is currently seeking a full-time Sous Chef to join their dedicated culinary team. The Sous Chef will play a pivotal role in overseeing and directing food preparation activities, ensuring all culinary operations are in line with company standards and customer expectations. This position emphasizes leadership, culinary expertise, and organizational skills needed to maintain a smooth and efficient kitchen environment.

The Sous Chef is responsible for supervising and training kitchen staff, which includes creating work schedules, maintaining prep sheets, and ensuring that all food is prepared and presented to perfection at the designated time of service. A significant part of the role involves understanding and executing Function Sheets for various events and menus, which requires close attention to detail and excellent time management skills. The use of batch cooking techniques is critical for optimizing production, minimizing waste, and ensuring quality.

This role demands hands-on involvement in kitchen operations such as opening and closing the kitchen properly when required, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations including ServSafe standards, and maintaining a clean and organized work environment. The ideal candidate will bring at least one to three years of cooking experience, preferably with some supervisory background, and possess certifications such as ServSafe and First Aid training. A culinary arts degree is preferred but not mandatory.

Working as a Sous Chef at Creative Dining Services means becoming part of a team that values innovation and community spirit. The company offers a competitive compensation package with bonus opportunities and a comprehensive benefits plan. Full-time employees receive medical, dental, and vision insurance along with a 401(k) plan featuring company match, paid time off, and various other benefits that contribute to a healthy work-life balance. The position follows a Monday-to-Friday schedule, with no nights or weekends required, supporting a sustainable and family-friendly work environment.

Overall, this full-time Sous Chef opportunity offers a rewarding career path for culinary professionals who are passionate about excellence in food service, leadership, and community engagement within a supportive and forward-thinking company.