Chef, Cornell Dining

Cornell University•Ithaca, NY

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Student and Campus Life (SCL) inspires transformation in all Cornell students on their journey of individual, academic and personal evolution. Our division is comprised of leading student affairs experts who support our campus on pressing student life matters including public service, health, wellness, social justice, residential living, food services, sports, recreation, career services, and student activities and organizations including sorority and fraternity life. We provide support and services to roughly 25,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students on multiple campuses in the U.S. and abroad. As part of SCL, Cornell Dining is comprised of more than 30 on-campus eateries, including multiple all-access dining rooms, cafés, coffee shops, food courts, retail convenience stores, concessions stands, a restaurant, and catering services. From crafting holiday-themed meals to chef surprises and dining room special events, the Cornell Dining team of more than 400 skilled culinarians and front-line associates, and 600 student employees work hard every day to offer a variety of fresh and healthy food from all over the world. Cornell Dining’s mission is a commitment to Nourishing the Future: both for our guests and for our team. This is accomplished with a team-oriented and customer-service mindset, and an emphasis on training, education, professional development, and career path opportunities for our entire organization. The Chef works in direct support of the area Operations or General Manager overseeing culinary operations for their assigned unit(s), which may include retail, all-you-care-to-eat, or catering business. This role is charged with developing and implementing a unique world-class high-volume food program and customer experience that serves approximately 2000 meals per day. The Chef must support and inspire a large culinary team and regularly demonstrate culinary best practices, provide on-the-job coaching and feedback, assess ongoing training needs, and evaluate individual and team performance that promotes diversity and inclusive workplace behaviors. The Chef will provide regular oversight of menu planning, food service quality control, recipe adherence, food safety and allergen procedures, product ordering, and inventory levels to ensure a strong financial contribution and efficiency to the operating budget, ranging up to $1 million annually. A successful Chef will: Be a highly self-motivated team player who remains flexible and customer service-oriented to respond appropriately to competing demands in a dynamic, high-volume, and time-sensitive environment. Work collaboratively and communicate effectively with a diverse population of students, staff, and community partners. Show a high level of professional judgment using excellent organizational and time management skills to prioritize effectively. Establish a pattern of management to monitor and ensure food safety, food quality, and customer service standards as well as ensure a safe & welcoming environment for our staff. Develop and maintain strong and lasting relationships with our community partners, guests, clients, and other work groups to advance organizational goals and outreach initiatives Demonstrate culinary excellence and creativity in their menu selection and ingredient adjustments to ensure great-tasting, high-quality, and cost-effective meal options Be actively involved with all staff and continually look to motivate, develop, and manage performance through regular hands-on training and daily feedback and coaching.

Requirements

At least two years of formal culinary training, two years of college coursework work and/or an Associate’s degree with at least 3 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
Previous supervisory experience or experience in managing effective teams
Technical/computer skills, including experience with MS Word and Office productivity tools
Working knowledge of appropriate food and health codes
Demonstrated skill in understanding cultural differences.
Must successfully complete Cornell Dining’s Chef-level practical exam and a cooking demonstration, which includes a series of culinary and managerial skills assessments designed to evaluate potential effectiveness in the role.
The position requires a varied work schedule, including availability on nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Nice To Haves

Additional professional or educational experience or culinary certification is advantageous, especially in a collegiate or event-specific setting
Previous experience in a collegiate setting is preferred, but not required.
Familiarity with managing in a collective bargaining/union environment and/or working with student or volunteer employees is also beneficial.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a unique world-class high-volume food program and customer experience that serves approximately 2000 meals per day.
Support and inspire a large culinary team and regularly demonstrate culinary best practices, provide on-the-job coaching and feedback, assess ongoing training needs, and evaluate individual and team performance that promotes diversity and inclusive workplace behaviors.
Provide regular oversight of menu planning, food service quality control, recipe adherence, food safety and allergen procedures, product ordering, and inventory levels to ensure a strong financial contribution and efficiency to the operating budget, ranging up to $1 million annually.
Be a highly self-motivated team player who remains flexible and customer service-oriented to respond appropriately to competing demands in a dynamic, high-volume, and time-sensitive environment.
Work collaboratively and communicate effectively with a diverse population of students, staff, and community partners.
Show a high level of professional judgment using excellent organizational and time management skills to prioritize effectively.
Establish a pattern of management to monitor and ensure food safety, food quality, and customer service standards as well as ensure a safe & welcoming environment for our staff.
Develop and maintain strong and lasting relationships with our community partners, guests, clients, and other work groups to advance organizational goals and outreach initiatives
Demonstrate culinary excellence and creativity in their menu selection and ingredient adjustments to ensure great-tasting, high-quality, and cost-effective meal options
Be actively involved with all staff and continually look to motivate, develop, and manage performance through regular hands-on training and daily feedback and coaching.