Executive Chef - Chicago Public Schools

Aramark; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k) plan

Parental leave

Disability coverage

Job summary

Aramark is seeking an Executive Chef for Chicago Public Schools to lead culinary operations, ensure recipes and menus meet quality standards, and drive engaging dining experiences for students and staff.

The role emphasizes hands-on management, staff development, catering events, and adherence to safety protocols while partnering with clients to deliver exceptional service.

Qualifications

• At least 4 years of culinary experience.
• At least 2 years in a management role preferred.
• Culinary degree or equivalent experience required.
• Food Truck experience preferred.
• Ability to multi-task and lead a team.

Responsibilities

• Culinary Strategy & Execution in line with framework and menu planning.
• Food Standards & Quality including standardized recipes and presentation.
• Staff Leadership & Development through training and coaching.
• Events & Client Relations for internal and external catering.
• Equipment & Safety ensuring safety policies and equipment maintenance.

Skills

Culinary experience

Management experience

Culinary degree

Food truck experience

Multi-tasking

Communication skills

Education

Culinary degree or equivalent

Job description

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Title: Executive Chef - Chicago Public Schools

Requisition #: 677624

Location: Chicago, IL, US, 60642

Description:

Job Description

Aramark Student Nutrition provides food and nutrition services to over 350 school districts in the U.S. It offers public and private education institutions a variety of dining options including breakfast and lunch programs, after-school snacks, catering, nutrition education and retail operations. We partner with schools to create culinary experiences that propel students to success. Our goal is to provide healthy, nutritional meals with a stellar dining experience for our communities. For more information on Aramark's Student Nutrition food service programs, please visit - Link here Aramark Student Nutrition - Aramark

Aramark Student Nutrition provides food and nutrition services to over 350 school districts in the U.S. It offers public and private education institutions a variety of dining options including breakfast and lunch programs, after-school snacks, catering, nutrition education and retail operations. We partner with schools to create culinary experiences that propel students to success. Our goal is to provide healthy, nutritional meals with a stellar dining experience for our communities. For more information on Aramark's Student Nutrition food service programs, please visit Aramark Student Nutrition.

The Executive Chef Manager oversees comprehensive culinary operations with a hands‑on approach, ensuring production aligns with strategic frameworks and operational excellence standards. Reporting to the Business Process Director, this role is responsible for delivering exceptional customer service and food experiences. The position upholds food quality through standardized recipes, presentation techniques, and menu planning, while also driving team development through training, coaching, and employee recognition. The Executive Chef Manager fosters strong client and guest relationships by coordinating internal and external catering events and supports budgetary goals by executing company-delivered programs. Additionally, the role ensures compliance with Aramark safety protocols, maintains kitchen equipment, and enforces culinary standards across all operations.

Compensation Data

COMPENSATION: The Salaried rate for this position is $75,000.00 to $85,000.00. If both numbers are the same, that is the amount that Aramark expects to offer. This is Aramark’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation for this position as of the time of posting.

BENEFITS: Aramark offers comprehensive benefit programs and services for eligible employees including medical, dental, vision, and work/life resources. Additional benefits may include retirement savings plans like 401(k) and paid days off such as parental leave and disability coverage. Benefits vary by location and are subject to any legal requirements or limitations, employee eligibility status, and where the employee lives and/or works. For more information about Aramark benefits, click here Aramark Careers - Benefits & Compensation

There is no predetermined application window for this position, the position will close once a qualified candidate is selected. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all applicable laws, including, but not limited to all applicable Fair Chance Ordinances and Acts. For jobs in San Francisco, this includes the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

Job Responsibilities

Culinary Strategy & Execution
Ensures culinary production appropriately connects to the Executional Framework
Full compliance with Operational Excellence fundamentals: managing waste, standard menus, recipes and ingredients through managing customer driven menus and labor standards

Food Standards & Quality
Ensures proper culinary standards and techniques are in place for preparation of food items, including production, presentation, and service standards
Select and develop recipes and standardize production recipes to ensure consistent quality
Establish presentation techniques and quality standards, and plan and price menus

Staff Leadership & Development
Train and manage kitchen employees to use best practice food production techniques
Offer culinary instruction and/or demonstrate culinary techniques
Coach employees by creating a shared understanding about what needs to be achieved and how it is to be achieved
Reward and recognize employees via employee recognition platform

Events & Client Relations
Coordinate and oversee culinary activities and catering events both internal and external
Develop and maintain effective client and guest rapport for mutually beneficial business relationships

Equipment & Safety
Ensure proper equipment operation and maintenance
Ensure compliance with Aramark SAFE food and Quality Assurance standards, occupational and environmental safety policies in all culinary and kitchen operations
Comply with all applicable policies, rules and regulations, including but not limited to those relating to safety and health

At Aramark, developing new skills and doing what it takes to get the job done make a positive impact for our employees and for our customers. In order to meet our commitments, job duties may change or new ones may be assigned without formal notice.

Qualifications

• Requires at least 4 years of culinary experience
• At least 2 years in a management role preferred
• Requires a culinary degree or equivalent experience
• Food Truck experience preferred
• Ability to multi-task
• Ability to simplify the agenda for the team
• Requires advanced knowledge of the principles and practices within the food profession.
• This includes experiential knowledge required for management of people and/or problems.
• Requires oral, reading, and written communication skills

About Aramark

Our Mission

Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet.

At Aramark, we believe that every employee should enjoy equal employment opportunity and be free to participate in all aspects of the company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by applicable law.

About Aramark

The people of Aramark proudly serve millions of guests every day through food and facilities in 15 countries across the world. Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet. We believe a career should develop your talents, fuel your passions, and empower your professional growth. So, no matter what you're pursuing -a new challenge, a sense of belonging, or just a great place to work -our focus is helping you reach your full potential. Learn more about working here athttp://www.aramarkcareers.com or connect with us onFacebook ,Instagram andTwitter .