Substitute Chef

Upper Crust Food Service•East Prairie, MO

8d•Onsite

About The Position

At Upper Crust Food Service, we are looking for a Substitute Chef to work as needed in K–12 school cafeterias. This role involves stepping in to cover shifts and keep meal service on track when the regular chef cannot be there. It is a flexible, as-needed role with no set schedule, requiring reliable, ready-to-go coverage. Substitute Chefs will walk into any kitchen, follow the campus’s established menu and spec sheet, and ensure smooth meal service for students. The role offers flexibility in setting availability, school hours only (no nights, no weekends), and the opportunity to gain experience across different school kitchens and campuses.

Requirements

Ability to adapt quickly to a new kitchen, team, and routine with minimal onboarding.
Reliable and responsive to shift requests, often on short notice.
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work well with a variety of personalities, including school staff and students.
Strong verbal and written communication skills for confirming shifts and reporting issues.
Ability to follow another chef's established menu and spec sheet accurately.
Ability to pass a background check and any additional screening required to work on school campuses.
Have a valid food safety handler and sanitation certification in accordance with state and local regulations or obtain one within 30 days of employment.

Nice To Haves

2+ years food service experience preferred; K–12 or institutional food service experience is a plus.
Experience with bulk food prep and production in a commercial kitchen setting.
High school or vocational school coursework in kitchen basics such as food safety, preferred.

Responsibilities

Report to the assigned school cafeteria for scheduled substitute shifts, ready to step in on short notice.
Follow the campus’s established menu and spec sheet to prepare and serve that day’s meals as planned.
Set up workstations and prepare the ingredients needed for the day’s service.
Enforce sanitation and food safety standards per state, local, and school nutrition program regulations.
Maintain a professional and positive attitude with cafeteria staff, school personnel, and students.
Adapt quickly to each campus’s kitchen layout, equipment, and routines when covering a new location.
Help with unloading, inspecting, and storing deliveries as needed.
Communicate shift confirmations and any issues promptly with campus and regional management.