Campus Head Chef: Lead Kitchen, Fresh Menus & Team

Upper Crust Food Service; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Upper Crust Food Service is seeking a hands-on Head Chef to lead the kitchen for a chapter house, planning and executing fresh, from-scratch weekly menus and coordinating with the chapter on menu choices. You’ll run the line, train staff, ensure sanitation, and manage schedules and inventory in a fast-paced environment.

The role requires 3+ years of professional kitchen experience, a culinary background, and the ability to obtain a manager-level sanitation certification within 30 days.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in professional, high-volume food production or catering.
• Culinary degree a plus, not required.
• Manager-level sanitation certification, or ability to obtain one within 30 days of employment.
• Proficiency across cooking methods, cuisines, and kitchen equipment.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute fresh, from-scratch weekly menus, with regular menu meetings with the chapter.
• Create high-quality meals with excellent presentation and flavor, and send photos of plated meals to management.
• Keep the kitchen and dining room clean and sanitary — tables, grills, fryers, ovens, refrigeration, floors, and everything in between.
• Train and oversee kitchen staff, manage schedules, and assess performance with management's approval.
• Order supplies within budget and keep inventory stocked.
• Enforce food safety and sanitation standards per state and local regulations.
• Plan and execute special events as directed by management.
• Communicate regularly with management and the chapter by phone, email, and text.
• Hold the team accountable to every UCFS policy.
• The work environment can be loud and busy, with kitchen hazards such as hot surfaces and liquids, sharp knives, and slippery floors.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Menu planning

Food safety

Team training

Budgeting

Inventory management

Quality control

Crisis management

Cooking methods

Education

Culinary degree (optional)

Job description

Upper Crust Food Service is seeking a hands-on Head Chef to lead the kitchen for a chapter house, planning and executing fresh, from-scratch weekly menus and coordinating with the chapter on menu choices. You’ll run the line, train staff, ensure sanitation, and manage schedules and inventory in a fast-paced environment.

The role requires 3+ years of professional kitchen experience, a culinary background, and the ability to obtain a manager-level sanitation certification within 30 days.