Chef de Cuisine

California Institute of Technology; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 73,800 - 93,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vision insurance

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Job summary

A prominent science and engineering institute is seeking a Chef de Cuisine to manage kitchen operations while directing Sous Chefs and Cooks. The successful candidate will lead menu creation based on various factors and ensure staff training and production quality. This role requires a minimum of 5 years of culinary experience, leadership skills, and strong knowledge of food safety. The position offers an annual salary range of $73.8K to $93.5K, along with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of culinary experience.
• Demonstrated leadership ability and team building.
• Servsafe certification or ability to obtain it.
• Physical ability to stand long periods and lift 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Direct and supervise Sous Chefs and Cooks in kitchen.
• Lead menu creation and implementation based on feedback.
• Ensure proper training and production quality.
• Cultivate a positive workplace and engage with students.

Skills

Culinary experience

Leadership ability

Team building

Knowledge of sanitation standards

Food safety practices

Ingredient substitutions

Job description

vision insurance, parental leave, paid time off, sick time, tuition reimbursement

Mar 01, 2026

Looking for a non‑stop and exciting place to work? Caltech is a world‑renowned science and engineering institute harboring some of the world's brightest minds. Our Caltech Dining Services Department (CDS) is in search of hiring and cultivating equally talented individuals who are positive, enthusiastic, and passionate about what they do. We are fast‑paced, creative, hands on, and round‑the‑clock. If you have a great team work ethic, positive attitude, and are indispensably flexible and quick to adapt to an always changing environment, join us and be a part of this leading edge & innovative community. Our mission is to provide great food, service, and experience for our students and community.

CDS operates five dining units (Browne Dining Hall, Red Door Marketplace, Broad Cafe, Avery Kitchen, and Catering Services) for our campus community. We serve over 950 students, 7 days a week, through our Board Program and maintain a burgeoning Catering Department.

Job Summary

The Chef de Cuisine directs and supervises all Sous Chefs & Cooks in kitchen production for our campus' food & beverage needs. They will lead a team of Sous Chefs and must have demonstratable culinary management experience, and experience in coordinating multiple production areas efficiently and successfully. The Chef de Cuisine will work as a team member when building, creating, and implementing new menus and menu concepts. Menus will be based on sales, feedback, trends, seasons, and the unexpected. The Chef de Cuisine directly manages three sous chefs to ensure production quality and quantity. Expected to participate in creation of staff improvement plan with the General Manager and be the primary executor of the plan by demonstrating skills to staff, ensuring proper training throughout the kitchen, and supporting staff through the learning process. The Chef de Cuisine is responsible for supervising staff in set up, production of food, food standards (flavor and presentation) and sanitation of cooking areas. Responsible for managing production amount, ordering food, supervising staff and managing waste. Ensure staff cleans stations at end of shift. Responsible for all functions of kitchen.

This is an Essential Reporting position. In the event of an emergency on campus, an employee designated as essential reporting has essential job skills that are needed for response and recovery and is expected to report to Campus as soon as possible.

• Comfortable with all cooking techniques and able to perform them in high pressure situations.
• Works closely with Sous Chefs of all units, coordinating menus, purchasing, distribution of labor, and inventory usage.
• Strong understanding of various dietary restrictions, including food allergies, intolerances and special diets.
• Will be the primary chef at VIP catering events.
• Interact with VIP customers and represent Caltech Dining in a positive manner.
• Knowledgeable about ingredient substitutions to accommodate dietary needs.
• Experience in creating allergen‑friendly menus and adapting recipes to meet specific dietary requirements.
• Familiarity with food safety practices and cross‑contamination prevention in relation to dietary restrictions.
• Assist in initial staff evaluations and coordinate and consult with leadership on staff improvement plans.
• Conduct daily staff evaluations; performance will be evaluated on staff improvement.
• Work closely with the leadership to establish and implement standards, team work, team training, processes and practices where efficiency, quality, performance and cost savings can be improved.
• Cultivate a positive and productive workplace through communication, vision, teamwork and commitment; reinforcing Dining Services values and beliefs through words and actions.
• Cultivate a positive relationship with the students, engage with and utilize student feedback.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements; maintains maximum standards of sanitation (ServSafe) and safety to ensure the highest standards for food and beverage service.
• As a senior culinary employee, input is expected on menu direction, customer needs, operational performance, and new programs/services.
• Responsible for maintaining CDS standards and managing staff to uphold those standards.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• 5+ years of culinary experience.
• Demonstrated leadership ability.
• Demonstrated team building ability.
• Full knowledge of sanitation standards, food borne diseases, and food‑borne illness and safety standards.
• Must be Servsafe certified or have the ability to obtain one.
• Ability to provide on‑the‑job training in food preparation to lower‑level employees.
• Physical ability to stand for long periods.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. of food products, kitchen equipment, and dining furniture on a regular basis.
• Minimum 5 years in high volume restaurant or similar setting i.e. catering, banquets, etc.
• Minimum 3 years on the job management experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Has or will obtain ACF Chef de Cuisine certification.
• Working knowledge of menu writing, ordering, labor and cost controls.

Required Documents

• Resume

Hiring Range

$73.8K - $93.5K per year
The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non‑benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our benefits and staff perks.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Disability Accommodations

Caltech complies with the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We consider reasonable accommodation measures that may be necessary for eligible applicants and employees to perform the essential functions of a position.

If you would like to request an accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please contact Caltech Recruiting at [e-mail].

Additionally, if you do not meet the basic qualifications of a role but believe you can perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation, please reach out to Caltech Recruiting at [e-mail].

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