Executive Chef

Creative Dining Services; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Daily Pay Options

Medical Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan with Company M

Paid Time Off

Training & Professional Development

Employee Support & Wellness Benefits

Job summary

Creative Dining Services is hiring an Executive Chef for Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, MI. The role leads the dining program, overseeing menus, production, and guest experiences, with a focus on vegan/vegetarian options and dietary accommodations.

You will manage a team, drive food quality and safety, and oversee purchasing, inventory, and cost controls in a fast-paced campus setting.

Qualifications

• Culinary Arts degree preferred.
• 5+ years of professional culinary experience preferred.
• Previous culinary management experience preferred.
• ServSafe certification.
• Experience with high-volume foodservice, catering, conference dining, and special events.
• Experience creating and executing diverse menus, including vegan and vegetarian offerings, and accommodations for dietary restrictions and food allergies.
• Experience with menu development, recipe standardization, and cost management.
• Proficiency with inventory, purchasing, and foodservice ordering systems.
• Higher education or college/university dining experience preferred.
• American Culinary Federation membership preferred.
• A passion for developing people and creating exceptional dining experiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead the culinary operation while maintaining the highest standards of food quality, presentation, safety, nutrition, and financial performance.
• Lead & Inspire: Hire, train, schedule, coach, and develop culinary team members while building a positive, high-performing kitchen culture.
• Create Exceptional Food: Oversee daily culinary production and ensure menus, recipes, and presentations consistently exceed expectations.
• Drive Culinary Innovation: Develop menus and recipes that showcase diverse cuisines while meeting vegan, vegetarian, allergen, and dietary accommodation needs.
• Execute Memorable Events: Lead culinary execution for campus dining, conference services, catering functions, buffet events, and formal plated meals.
• Manage the Business: Oversee purchasing, inventory, food cost controls, and kitchen financial performance in a fiscally responsible manner.
• Set the Standard: Establish and maintain food quality, production, sanitation, and safety standards throughout the operation.
• Collaborate Across Campus: Partner with dining leadership, campus stakeholders, students, and guests to continually enhance the dining experience.
• Develop Your Team: Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and growth opportunities that help team members succeed professionally.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

Menu development

Cost controls

Inventory management

Vendor relations

Education

Culinary Arts degree preferred

ServSafe certification

American Culinary Federation membership preferred

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Executive Chef

Salary Range: $65,000.00 To $75,000.00 Annually

Executive Chef | Washtenaw Community College | Ann Arbor, MI

Be Creative… with Creative Dining Services!

Are you a passionate culinary leader who thrives on variety, creativity, and developing others? Do you enjoy exploring global flavors, crafting innovative vegan and vegetarian cuisine, accommodating diverse dietary needs, and creating memorable dining experiences for every guest?

Creative Dining Services is seeking an Executive Chef to lead the dining program at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Michigan . This is a unique opportunityfocused oncatered eventsfromconference services to banquet presentations and elegant plated dining experiences . No two days are the same, and that's exactly what makes this role exciting.

We're looking for a hands‑on, working chef who will be cooking, tasting, teaching, coaching, and inspiring your team while ensuring exceptional quality, execution, and hospitality. The ideal candidate is a self‑starter who brings strong organizational skills, operational discipline, and the ability to remain calm and effective in a fast‑paced environment while building a positive, high‑performing team culture.

If you have experience with culinary operations, ordering and inventory systems, conference and catering services, and a genuine passion for great food and developing people, we'd love to meet you!

What You’ll Do

As our Executive Chef, you will lead the culinary operation while maintaining the highest standards of food quality, presentation, safety, nutrition, and financial performance.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Lead & Inspire: Hire, train, schedule, coach, and develop culinary team members while building a positive, high-performing kitchen culture.
• Create Exceptional Food: Oversee daily culinary production and ensure menus, recipes, and presentations consistently exceed expectations.
• Drive Culinary Innovation: Develop menus and recipes that showcase diverse cuisines while meeting vegan, vegetarian, allergen, and dietary accommodation needs.
• Execute Memorable Events: Lead culinary execution for campus dining, conference services, catering functions, buffet events, and formal plated meals.
• Manage the Business: Oversee purchasing, inventory, food cost controls, and kitchen financial performance in a fiscally responsible manner.
• Set the Standard: Establish and maintain food quality, production, sanitation, and safety standards throughout the operation.
• Collaborate Across Campus: Partner with dining leadership, campus stakeholders, students, and guests to continually enhance the dining experience.
• Develop Your Team: Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and growth opportunities that help team members succeed professionally.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a culinary professional who combines strong technical skills with great leadership and a passion for hospitality.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Culinary Arts degree preferred
• 5+ years of professional culinary experience preferred
• Previous culinary management experience preferred
• ServSafe certification
• Experience with high-volume foodservice, catering, conference dining, and special events
• Experience creating and executing diverse menus, including global cuisine, vegan and vegetarian offerings, and accommodations for dietary restrictions and food allergies
• Experience with menu development, recipe standardization, and cost management
• Proficiency with inventory, purchasing, and foodservice ordering systems
• Higher education or college/university dining experience preferred
• American Culinary Federation membership preferred
• A passion for developing people and creating exceptional dining experiences

Why You’ll Love Working at Creative Dining Services

At Creative Dining Services, we believe great hospitality starts with taking care of our people.

That’s why we offer acompetitive compensation and benefits package designed to support you both at work and at home.

Our Benefits Include:

• Daily Pay Options
• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Paid Time Off
• Training & Professional Development
• Employee Support & Wellness Benefits
• And much, much more!

Creative Dining Services is different because we believe hospitality should be personal, innovative, and fun.

We partner withcolleges and universities, Fortune 100 companies, senior living communities, conference centers, K-12 schools, and campsto create dining and hospitality experiences that bring people together.

When you join Creative Dining Services, you’re joining a team that values creativity, collaboration, leadership, and community.

At Washtenaw Community College, you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact every day through the food you create, the team you lead, and the experiences you deliver.

Creative Dining Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.