Chef

Upper-Crust-Food-Service; Isla Vista (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Limited late nights

Holiday time off

Paid vacations

401K match

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Pet insurance

Job summary

Upper Crust Food Service in Isla Vista, CA, is seeking a professional Chef to design and execute fresh, from-scratch weekly menus with client input and management collaboration.

You will lead kitchen staff, uphold sanitation and food safety standards, ensure timely operation, and maintain high presentation and flavor across all dishes. The role emphasizes teamwork, customer service, and a positive, professional demeanor.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in professional, high-volume food production or catering, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience
• Ability to pass a background check
• Culinary degree is a plus
• Must hold a valid manager level sanitation certification or obtain one within 30 days of employment

Responsibilities

• Prepare, design, and execute menus
• Menu meetings with the chapter will be required.
• Create high-quality meals with excellent presentation and flavor.
• Send photos regularly of meal presentations to management
• Maintain a clean and sanitary kitchen and dining room
• Wash kitchen utensils, equipment and dishes.
• Ensure the kitchen operates in a timely manner
• Oversee and train kitchen staff, manage schedules, and assess performance with management's approval.
• Order supplies in accordance with budgetary requirements and stock inventory
• Enforce sanitation and food safety standards per state and local regulations.
• Maintain a professional and positive attitude with coworkers and customers.
• Assist in planning and executing special events as directed by management.
• Communicate regulary with management via calls, emails, and texts.
• Ensure compliance with all policies among staff.

Skills

Teamwork

Follow instructions

Customer service

Cooking methods

Professional appearance

Kitchen management

Emergency response

Best practices

Education

3+ years experience

Background check

Culinary degree

Sanitation certification

Job description

Upper Crust Food Service is a premier hospitality partner delivering high-end, chef-driven dining solutions to over 750+ partners nationwide. While our footprint is expansive, we have intentionally maintained a culture that is small enough to care deeply for our employees and clients. We deliver elevated restaurant-quality culinary experiences, and a hospitality-first culture. At Upper Crust, we believe that great food is the cornerstone of the student experience, and we empower our leadership teams to run their accounts with the entrepreneurial spirit of a boutique restaurant, backed by the robust resources of a national industry leader.

Chefs are responsible for creating, planning, and executing all fresh, from scratch weekly menus with input from the client and Management team. Direct all food preparation and staff in accordance with company's core values and culture. Manage and uphold the best sanitation practices in the kitchen. Maintain outstanding communication with management and customers. Consistently deliver outstanding products and customer service

What's in it for you?

• Very few late nights and weekend hours
• Time off for most holidays
• Paid vacations
• A competitive 401K with company match
• Health, dental, vision, and pet insurance

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepare, design, and execute menus
• Menu meetings with the chapter will be required.
• Create high-quality meals with excellent presentation and flavor.
• Send photos regularly of meal presentations to management
• Maintain a clean and sanitary kitchen and dining room
• Wash kitchen utensils, equipment and dishes.
• Ensure the kitchen operates in a timely manner
• Oversee and train kitchen staff, manage schedules, and assess performance with management's approval.
• Order supplies in accordance with budgetary requirements and stock inventory
• Enforce sanitation and food safety standards per state and local regulations.
• Maintain a professional and positive attitude with coworkers and customers.
• Assist in planning and executing special events as directed by management.
• Communicate regulary with management via calls, emails, and texts.
• Ensure compliance with all policies among staff.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work well as part of a team.
• Understand, remember, and apply oral and/or written instructions
• Deal with challenging customers in a professional manner
• Demonstrate understanding and proficiency in various cooking methods, cuisines, ingredients, equipment, and procedures
• Show understanding of and commit to a professional appearance and positive attitude
• Maintain excellent record of kitchen and staff management
• Exhibit accuracy and speed in handling emergency situations and providing solutions
• Be familiar with the industry's best practices

Preferred Education and Experience:

• 3+ years in professional, high-volume food production or catering, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience
• Ability to pass a background check
• Culinary degree is a plus
• Must hold a valid manager level sanitation certification or obtain one within 30 days of employment

Special Demands:

• The work environment can be loud and busy. There are many kitchen hazards such as hot surfaces and liquids, sharp knives, and slippery floors.
• Capability to work in a kitchen environment that may involve exposure to extreme heat or cold.
• Required to stand for long periods, up to 8+ hours, as well as walk, bend and stoop.
• Must be able to lift and/or move objects up to 50 pounds.
• Exposure to cleaning chemicals

Upper Crust Food Service provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.