District Chef Needed for School Food Service

Maschio•Vernon Township, NJ

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced, creative, and motivated District Chef to lead culinary operations across multiple school locations within the district. The District Chef will contribute to menu development, culinary innovation, food quality, staff training, and daily kitchen operations. The ideal candidate is passionate about food, develops new menu ideas, and can train and support kitchen teams while maintaining high standards for food quality, presentation, and safety. This is a full-time, Monday–Friday position. Occasional evenings and weekends are required for catering events, and travel between school locations within the district is required.

Requirements

Professional culinary experience.
Previous catering experience.
Experience with satellite kitchen preparation and meal production.
ServSafe® Certification.
Strong knowledge of food preparation, cooking techniques, food safety, and presentation.
Demonstrated ability to train, lead, and develop kitchen staff.
Creative approach to menu development and culinary innovation.
Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
Willingness to travel between school locations within the district.
Ability to obtain all required clearances and documentation to work in a school environment.

Nice To Haves

K-12 school food service experience is preferred.
NSLP experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

Develop creative and appealing menu items while adhering to National School Lunch Program (NSLP) guidelines and school nutrition requirements.
Introduce new recipes, menu concepts, and food preparation techniques.
Promote variety, quality, and student appeal while maintaining nutritional and program standards.
Establish and maintain high standards for food preparation, taste, quality, and presentation.
Ensure consistency across school locations and monitor food production and presentation to ensure meals meet established standards.
Plan, coordinate, and execute catering events throughout the district.
Develop catering menus and oversee food preparation and presentation.
Ensure proper staffing, production, and service for special events.
Oversee culinary operations and support efficient kitchen workflows.
Coordinate food ordering, maintain appropriate inventory levels, and conduct monthly inventory reviews.
Ensure proper use of equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Maintain safe, clean, and sanitary working environments at all locations.
Train, lead, and support kitchen staff.