EXECUTIVE CHEF - CHARTWELLS K-12 FOOD SERVICE

Compass Group Careers; South Windsor (CT); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Vision

Life Insurance/AD

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Employee Assistance Program

FSAs

Personal Leave

Job summary

Chartwells K-12, part of Compass Group USA, seeks an Executive Chef for the South Windsor, CT K-12 district. You will lead kitchen operations, develop menus, and ensure safety and sanitation standards.

You will train staff, manage schedules, and collaborate with district leadership to deliver high-quality, school-friendly dining programs. Strong culinary leadership and food safety focus required.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree desired or equivalent experience in culinary arts.
• Two plus years of culinary/kitchen management experience, catering experience preferred.
• Proven success in complex foodservice operations with institutional cooking.
• Hands-on chef experience with emphasis on quality, sanitation, cost control, and presentation.
• Proficiency in MS Office and email systems.
• Willingness to engage in client satisfaction programs.

Responsibilities

• Develops regular and specialty menus in line with K12 standards.
• Trains kitchen staff in food preparation, equipment operation, and safety.
• Maintains cleaning and maintenance schedules for equipment and work areas.
• Handles inventory of food and supplies and ensures vital products are available.
• Ensures compliance with health and sanitation regulations and participates in audits.
• Participates in meetings and staff development to stay current with trends.
• Performs other duties to support dining service operations.

Skills

Culinary/kitchen management

Food safety

Staff training

Education

Associate’s degree in culinary arts or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Email systems

Job description

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EXECUTIVE CHEF - CHARTWELLS K-12 FOOD SERVICE

Position Title:EXECUTIVE CHEF III - CHARTWELLS K-12 - SOUTH WINDSOR, CT

Chartwells K12's goal is to make sure students leave the cafeteria happier and healthier than they came in, by serving food kids love to eat and creating custom dining programs. With more than 16,000 associates in 4,500 schools, ranging from large public institutions to small charter and private schools, Chartwells K12 is built on decades of food, education and operational experience driven by top culinary, nutrition, wellness, and sustainability talent. For more information, visit www.ChartwellsK12.com .

Job Summary

Are you an innovative culinary professional with boundless energy and a passion for excellence? Join us as the Executive Chef for our premiere K12 school district located in South Windsor, CT. Reporting to the Director, successful candidate will lead kitchen operations with creativity and precision while encouraging a safe and sanitary work environment. The role focuses on oversight, compliance, training, and accountability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develops regular and specialty menus in line with K12 standards, ensuring adherence to portioning and presentation guidelines.
• Trains kitchen staff in food preparation, equipment operation, and safety protocols, promoting a culture of excellence.
• Establishes and maintains thorough cleaning and maintenance schedules for equipment and work areas.
• Handles inventory of food and supplies, optimizing utilization while ensuring vital products are readily available.
• Ensures compliance with health and sanitation regulations through meticulous adherence to department procedures and participation in audits.
• Actively participates in departmental meetings, staff development initiatives, and professional programs to stay abreast of industry trends.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support the efficient functioning of a dining service operation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree desired or equivalent experience in culinary arts.
• Two plus years of culinary/kitchen management experience, (with catering experience preferred).
• Proven success in complex foodservice operations, with a solid base in institutional and batch cooking.
• Hands-on chef experience is critical, accompanied by solid knowledge of food trends, emphasizing quality, production, sanitation, cost control, and presentation.
• Proficiency in computer applications, including Microsoft Office suite and email systems.
• Willingness to actively engage in client satisfaction programs and activities.
• ServSafe certification is highly desirable, highlighting a commitment to food safety.

Chartwells Schools is a member of Compass Group USA

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.

Chartwells K-12 maintains a drug-free workplace.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Associates at Chartwells K-12are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Personal Leave

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.