Chef de Cuisine

About the role

The Caltech Dining Services Department (CDS) is seeking a Chef de Cuisine to lead kitchen production for campus food and beverage needs. The ideal candidate will manage a team of Sous Chefs, create menus based on sales, feedback, trends, and seasons, and ensure high standards of food quality and sanitation.

Responsibilities

• Directs and supervises all Sous Chefs and Cooks in kitchen production
• Works closely with Sous Chefs to coordinate menus, purchasing, labor distribution, and inventory usage
• Ensures compliance with food safety standards and cross-contamination prevention
• Provides on-the-job training in food preparation to lower-level employees
• Manages staff in setup, production, food standards, and sanitation
• Supervises staff in managing production amounts, ordering food, and cleaning stations at the end of shifts
• Assists in initial staff evaluations and consults with leadership on staff improvement plans
• Conducts daily staff evaluations and ensures staff performance meets standards
• Cultivates a positive and productive workplace through communication, vision, teamwork, and commitment
• Engages with students and utilizes their feedback
• Maintains CDS standards and manages staff to uphold these standards
• Performs other duties as assigned

Requirements

• 5+ years of culinary experience
• Demonstrated leadership ability
• Demonstrated team building ability
• Full knowledge of sanitation standards, food borne diseases, and food-borne illness and safety standards
• Must be Servsafe certified or have the ability to obtain one
• Ability to provide on-the-job training in food preparation to lower-level employees
• Physical ability to stand for long periods and lift 50 lbs. of food products, kitchen equipment, and dining furniture on a regular basis
• Minimum 5 years in high volume restaurant or similar setting (catering, banquets, etc.)
• Minimum 3 years on the job management experience
• Experience cooking various cuisines including: American, Latin, Italian, Asian, Breakfast, Vegan, Gluten Free, etc.

Qualifications

• Has or will obtain ACF Chef de Cuisine certification
• Working knowledge of menu writing, ordering, labor and cost controls

Skills

• Comfortable with all cooking techniques
• Able to perform them in high pressure situations
• Strong understanding of various dietary restrictions, including food allergies, intolerances, and special diets
• Knowledgeable about ingredient substitutions to accommodate dietary needs
• Experience in creating allergen-friendly menus and adapting recipes to meet specific dietary requirements
• Familiarity with food safety practices and cross-contamination prevention in relation to dietary restrictions

Benefits

Caltech offers comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents, including competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more. As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing these benefits to its employees.