Executive Chef - McCallie School - Chattanooga, TN

Compass Group; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in school dining is seeking an Executive Chef to lead culinary operations at a prestigious school in Chattanooga. This role involves managing a dynamic team, creating innovative menus, and ensuring the highest standards of food safety and quality. The ideal candidate will have a passion for culinary excellence and a commitment to enhancing the dining experience for students and staff. Join a community dedicated to nourishing young minds and making a lasting impact through exceptional food service. If you are ready to take your culinary career to the next level, this opportunity is for you!

Qualifications

• 5+ years of culinary management experience required.
• Proven leadership skills managing diverse culinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Oversee culinary functions, ensuring top-tier service and safety.
• Lead a team of culinary professionals to create diverse menus.

Skills

Culinary Management

Team Leadership

Menu Planning

Food Safety and Sanitation

Catering Operations

Education

Culinary Degree

5+ Years Culinary Management Experience

Job description

FISD

Position Title: Executive Chef - McCallie School - Chattanooga, TN

Salary: $80,000-$90,000/yr.

Flik Independent School Dining has been leading the way in transforming private and independent school food service across 300 communities for over four decades. Our passionate team of associates is fully committed to delivering exceptional foodservice experiences every single time. Our meals are crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, supporting sustainable agricultural practices that benefit our communities. But we don't stop at just food service – we take it to the next level by offering cutting-edge nutrition education programs that empower students to make smart, healthy choices daily. By combining nutritious meals with comprehensive education, we equip students with the essential tools they need to lead a healthy and thriving life. We believe in nourishing the whole person, creating community through great food and programming, and doing what’s right, every time.

We are Nourishing a Brighter Future.

Join Our Culinary Team as an Executive Chef at McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee

About the Role:

As the Executive Chef, you will oversee all culinary functions for the dining account, ensuring top-tier service, safety, and cost management. You’ll lead a dynamic culinary team, manage menu creation, and implement innovative food programs in collaboration with marketing and the culinary team. If you’re passionate about leading teams, creating exciting and nutritious menus, and driving culinary excellence, this is your chance to make a lasting impact on the school community.

McCallie School is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and offers boys in grades 6-12 an exceptional education. McCallie’s academic and extracurricular programs are designed specifically to cater to the unique needs of boys, providing a well-rounded and enriching experience. As part of the FISD, McCallie team, you will play a key role in providing exceptional dining experiences that support the school’s commitment to excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Lead and inspire a team of culinary professionals (up to 30 hourly associates and 1 salaried Sous Chef), ensuring they are motivated, well-trained, and committed to providing high-quality meals.
2. Plan and create diverse and creative menus that meet the dietary needs of students and staff while maintaining variety and freshness.
3. Manage cost controls and expenditures for the dining account, ensuring financial goals are met while maintaining food quality and portion control.
4. Oversee the purchasing and management of inventory, ensuring proper stock levels and minimizing waste.
5. Collaborate with the marketing and culinary teams to introduce new culinary programs, ensuring they align with student needs and dining trends.
6. Maintain high standards for food safety and sanitation, ensuring compliance with all health regulations and company policies.
7. Stay current with food trends and best practices to continuously elevate the culinary offerings and maintain an exciting dining experience for the school community.
8. Oversee both front-of-house (FOH) and back-of-house (BOH) operations to ensure smooth daily operations and exceptional service.

Required Qualifications:

1. Catering Experience: Required, with experience in managing large-scale catering operations.
2. Culinary Management Experience: Minimum of 5 years of culinary management experience as an Executive Chef or Chef Manager.
3. Leadership: Proven experience managing a team of up to 30 hourly associates, along with 1 salaried Sous Chef.
4. FOH and BOH Management: Strong experience in both front-of-house and back-of-house responsibilities to ensure smooth daily operations.
5. Menu Planning Experience: Proven experience in planning diverse and balanced menus that meet customer needs and dietary restrictions.
6. EDU Experience (Preferred): While not required, prior experience in an educational setting is highly preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. A culinary degree or formal training (preferred but not required).
2. High-volume kitchen management experience, especially in catering or institutional settings.
3. Strong financial acumen, with experience in managing budgets, food costs, and other operational expenses.
4. Leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop a diverse team of culinary professionals.
5. Proficiency in food safety and sanitation regulations and a commitment to maintaining a clean, safe, and efficient kitchen.

Why Join Us?

At FISD, we’re a community that values creativity, excellence, and collaboration. As the Executive Chef, you’ll have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the dining experience for the students, staff, and faculty. If you are passionate about culinary innovation, leading a team, and creating exceptional dining experiences, we want to hear from you!

Apply to Flik today!

Flik Independent School Dining 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.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Flik Independent School Dining maintains a drug-free workplace.