Executive Chef - Talladega College

Thompson Hospitality Corporation • Talladega, AL

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Talladega College is seeking an Executive Chef to lead its campus dining team and deliver high-quality meals for the university community. The role oversees daily kitchen operations, menu development, food preparation, staff leadership, food and labor costs, and compliance with food safety standards. The Executive Chef will shape the campus culinary experience while supporting creativity, teamwork, and excellence.

The position involves designing diverse and nutritionally balanced menus that account for cost-efficiency, sustainability, and community preferences; providing culinary expertise and direction; recruiting, training, and evaluating kitchen staff; managing budgets and procurement; reducing waste; maintaining safe and hygienic food preparation and service; and incorporating culinary trends and emerging dining preferences.

The role requires a culinary degree from an accredited institution, relevant professional certifications, and proven experience as an Executive Chef or in a senior culinary leadership position. Experience in higher education food service and dining facilities is preferred. The work may require early mornings, late nights, weekends, and holidays, along with extended periods standing and walking and exposure to a busy kitchen environment.

Requirements

• Culinary degree from an accredited institution.
• Relevant professional certifications.
• Proven experience as an Executive Chef or in a high-level culinary leadership role.
• Comprehensive knowledge of culinary techniques, menu development, and food safety standards.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and manage a diverse culinary team.
• Proficient computer skills, including culinary software and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to communicate clearly in a noisy kitchen environment.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during long shifts.
• Frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and twisting.
• Ability to lift, carry, and move items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Manual dexterity to safely handle knives, cookware, and kitchen equipment.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure kitchen environment.
• Tolerance for exposure to heat, steam, noise, and open flames.
• Ability to navigate tight kitchen spaces and multitask efficiently.
• Visual and sensory acuity to inspect food quality, presentation, and safety.
• Flexibility to work early mornings, late nights, weekends, and holidays as required.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with higher education food service and dining facilities.

Responsibilities

• Design and plan diverse, nutritionally balanced menus that consider cost-efficiency, sustainability, and the preferences and needs of the university community.
• Provide culinary expertise and creative direction to the culinary team, maintaining food quality, presentation, and consistency.
• Recruit, train, and lead kitchen staff while fostering collaboration, growth, and excellence.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide constructive feedback.
• Develop and manage culinary budgets, control food and labor costs, minimize waste, and maximize operational efficiency while maintaining food quality.
• Oversee compliance with food safety regulations, sanitation guidelines, and organizational policies.
• Establish and maintain relationships with food suppliers and vendors, negotiate contracts, and coordinate procurement.
• Monitor culinary trends, dining preferences, and sustainability practices and incorporate relevant ideas into menus and service.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision benefits
• Paid time off
• 401(k) with matching up to 4%
• Short- and long-term disability
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee referral program
• Pet insurance
• Discounts on hotels, travel, tickets, and restaurants
• Discounted meal plan at client HBCU locations for employees and their relatives while they are attending school

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager