Irvine Brigaid Chef

Brigaid•Irvine, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Brigaid is hiring a chef to support its partnership with Irvine Unified School District (IUSD), which serves 38,000 TK–12 students in Orange County. The district serves breakfast and lunch daily. A central kitchen supplies most meals to elementary, middle, and K-8 schools, while high schools operate their own kitchens. The program is working to build capacity for scratch cooking through staff training, improve the quality and consistency of menus, and increase student satisfaction. During the school year, the Brigaid Chef will work in IUSD and collaborate closely with the Irvine Program Chef to support these goals. The district retains ultimate authority over the program’s strategic direction, while the chef helps drive change. Work may include staff training, implementing kitchen systems and protocols, developing and rolling out recipes and menus, arranging student tastings, gathering feedback, participating in district and community events, and documenting progress. The role also includes food preparation and service, receiving and storing supplies, kitchen setup and cleanup, and other job-related tasks. The chef must follow Brigaid and district standards as well as USDA and Department of Health guidelines. This is a full-time, exempt position with summers off and a paid summer holiday break. Compensation is $72,500, with full benefits.

Requirements

At least 3 years of professional cooking experience in a non-institutional setting.
ServSafe Manager certification, or the ability to take a Brigaid-sponsored 8-hour ServSafe Manager course and pass the exam during the initial training period.
Successful completion of two to three background checks before the start date.
Ability to travel efficiently between sites, potentially while carrying kitchen or culinary equipment.
Ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
Ability to walk and stand for long periods.
Proof of a negative skin prick TB test.
Expert knowledge of foundational cooking techniques and ability to train people of varying experience levels.
Basic computer literacy, including Microsoft and Google programs and Zoom.
Ability to accommodate schedule changes, prioritize tasks, and manage time effectively.

Nice To Haves

High-volume cooking experience.
Understanding of National School Lunch Program guidelines, or ability to learn them.

Responsibilities

Work with the Irvine Program Chef to implement systems and protocols for kitchen organization, serving line setup, food storage, and HACCP programs.
Conduct regular staff training across sites on culinary, safety, and operational best practices.
Roll out kitchen signs and tools from Brigaid’s training materials catalog in collaboration with the Irvine Program Chef.
Visit sites regularly to assess progress.
Develop recipes and menus with the Irvine Program Chef in compliance with National School Lunch Program requirements.
Develop and implement plans to roll out menu items consistently and with high quality across sites.
Plan and execute student tastings for new menu items.
Gather staff and student feedback and incorporate it into menu planning as appropriate.
Participate in occasional district- or community-wide events, such as career fairs, back-to-school nights, and community meals.
Document progress in a daily journal and discuss it with the Irvine Program Chef during regular Zoom calls.
Participate in meetings with the district’s foodservice director and/or other stakeholders.
Follow Brigaid and district protocols and standards, as well as USDA and Department of Health guidelines and regulations.
Assist with receiving and storing food and supplies, setting up and breaking down kitchens, scaling recipes, preparing, packing and serving food, cleaning kitchens, and washing dishes.
Model high standards for food quality and safety, organization, and professionalism, and collaborate effectively with colleagues and stakeholders.

Benefits

100% company-paid health insurance for the employee and family, with a gold-level Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield plan and a platinum-level plan buy-up option.
100% company-paid dental insurance for the employee and family through Guardian.
100% company-paid vision insurance for the employee and family through Guardian.
100% company-paid short- and long-term care insurance through Guardian.
Optional employee-funded Dependent Care FSA.
6 paid vacation days to start.
15 paid company holidays.
6 paid sick days.
401(k) with a 4% company match and immediate vesting.
Paid summer holiday break.
One-time $5,000 moving stipend, subject to tax, for hires living more than 120 miles from Irvine who relocate to a commutable area.
Professional growth through a comprehensive leadership training series.