Santa Maria Brigaid Chef

Brigaid•Santa Maria, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Brigaid is redefining institutional foodservice by partnering with school districts to help kitchens consistently prepare high-quality meals. This role supports the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District (SMJUHSD), serving over 9,000 students. The Brigaid Chef will provide hands-on culinary, operational, and training support to advance the district's foodservice goals. This includes implementing outdoor serving areas, training foodservice teams on culinary techniques, scratch cooking, food safety, NSLP compliance, and operational best practices. The role also focuses on improving meal quality, consistency, presentation, student satisfaction, and meal participation. The chef will work collaboratively with the Santa Maria Program Chef to implement these initiatives throughout the school year, with summers off.

Requirements

At least 3 years of professional cooking experience in a non-institutional setting
ServSafe Manager certified or the ability to take a Brigaid-sponsored 8-hour ServSafe Manager course and pass the exam during your initial training period
Successful completion of two to three background checks prior to your start date
Ability to travel across sites in an efficient manner (with the possibility of carrying kitchen/culinary equipment during this travel)
Ability to lift and carry objects up to 50 pounds
Ability to walk around and stand for long periods of time
Ability to perform duties outdoors for extended periods in varying weather conditions, including direct sun and heat
Proof of a negative skin prick TB test
Demonstrate basic computer literacy, including Microsoft and Google programs and Zoom.
Be flexible in accommodating changes in schedule.
Understand how to prioritize tasks and manage your time effectively.

Nice To Haves

High-volume cooking experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

Work with the Santa Maria Program Chef to implement new systems/protocols (such as kitchen organization, serving line setup, food storage, and HACCP programs).
Conduct regular staff training across sites on basic culinary, safety, and operational best practices in accordance with our standards.
Work with the Santa Maria Program Chef to roll out kitchen signs and tools across sites from our catalog of training materials.
Regularly visit sites to assess progress.
Work with the Santa Maria Program Chef to develop recipes and menus in compliance with the NSLP.
Work with the Santa Maria Program Chef to develop and implement a plan to roll out new menu items with an eye towards consistency and quality across all sites.
Work with the Santa Maria Program Chef to 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 your progress in a daily journal and discuss with the Santa Maria Program Chef during regular Zoom calls.
Participate in meetings with your district's foodservice director and/or other stakeholders.
Adhere to all of our protocols and standards as well as those of the district as outlined in our respective employee handbooks.
Adhere to all United States Department of Agriculture and Department of Health guidelines and regulations.
Assist with any other job-related tasks, including, but not limited to, receiving and storing food and supplies, setting up and breaking down kitchens, scaling recipes, preparing, packing and serving food, cleaning kitchens, and doing dishes.

Benefits

Full benefits
Paid summer holiday break
100% company-paid health insurance for you and your family — a gold level plan through Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield with a platinum level plan buy-up option as well
100% company-paid dental insurance for you and your family through Guardian
100% company-paid vision insurance for you and your family through Guardian
100% company-paid short- and long-term care insurance through Guardian
6 paid vacation days to start
Paid summer vacation
15 paid company holidays
6 paid sick days
A 401k with a 4% company match and immediate vesting
Travel stipend of $250 will be offered to each candidate living more than 120 miles away from Santa Maria.
A one-time, lump sum $5,000 moving stipend (subject to tax) if offered the position and live farther than 120 miles from Santa Maria.