Food Service Chef - Dining Services, University Housing

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 49,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

University Housing is seeking a Food Service Chef to manage ordering and production for dining services and supervise culinary staff. The role involves enforcing quality standards, assisting in menu planning, and coordinating special events to reflect campus initiatives and standards.

The position requires supervisory experience, relevant culinary education or training, and strong knowledge of food safety and sanitation practices. Work is in an industrial kitchen on the Champaign-Urbana campus.

Qualifications

• Two (2) years of related experience in food production and supervision.
• Minimum qualifications include degrees or vocational training or equivalent experience.
• Supervisory experience in a culinary setting is required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee ordering and production of all food service for the dining unit.
• Supervise culinary staff and coordinate training to maintain quality and menus.
• Assist in planning menus and standardize recipes for cost and appearance.
• Participate in meal service evaluation, food safety, and sanitation.
• Coordinate events and catering as requested by unit management.
• Identify staffing and equipment needs and support layout design.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Education

College coursework in culinary arts

Vocational training in culinary arts

Skilled work experience in large-scale cooking

Two years food production experience

Job description

Food Service Chef - Dining Services, University Housing

Job Summary

Responsible for the ordering and production of all food service, in addition to supervision of the culinary staff in dining unit. Supervisors engage in and implement University Housing's inclusion, culture, and climate initiatives.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Menu Management
  • Helps maintain computerized food production recipe files.
  • Prepares reports as requested.
  • Assists in the planning of menus, such as the standard menu cycle.
• Supervision
  • Plans and conducts training programs for food production and service staff in order to maintain quality standards and ensure conformity to prescribed menus.
  • Helps coordinate and participates in the preparation and presentation of special events or catering meal services as requested by the Unit Manager or Assistant Director.
  • Participates in meal services for the purpose of evaluating quality and quantity control, correct presentation, and overall menu appeal.
  • Serves as principal sanitarian for the food service.
  • Plans, coordinates, and demonstrates the procedures of food displays and garnishing.
  • Monitors the care and condition of kitchen equipment and reports malfunctions to the Unit Manager or Assistant Director.
  • Recommends staffing levels and equipment needs, including recommendations regarding layout and design.
• Recipe & Menu Development
  • Tests and evaluates food products and equipment for use in University Housing Dining Services and makes recommendations.
  • Tests and reviews recipes for food cost, palatability, and appearance.
  • Responsible for standardizing recipes used in the preparation of menu items; investigates and develops new recipes; revises standardized recipes to incorporate new products or new procedures; prepares detailed preparation instructions, portion-size recommendations, and yield determinations.
• Other
  • Interviews cook applicants, offering recommendations for hiring.
  • Helps coordinate activities involving students in training.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

The work is performed in an Industrial Kitchen where there is some discomfort in low temperature areas (-10 degrees F) and/or high temperature areas (90 degrees F). There is risk involved when working with dangerous machinery, wet floors, and exposure to open flames.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Any combination totaling two (2) years (24 months) from the categories below:

A. College coursework in the culinary arts field, as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:

• 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
• Associate's Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
• 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
• Bachelor's Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)

B. Vocational training in the culinary arts field, such as an apprenticeship.

C. Skilled work experience (such as an Assistant Chef or Culinary Worker IV) in large-scale cooking in a variety of food areas (meats, baking, desserts, salads, sauces, etc.) and in a variety of international cuisines (European, American, Asian, etc.) that provided a knowledge of food science, food service management, food sanitation, and the culinary arts and their practice.

2. Two (2) years (24 months) of progressively broader and more responsible work experience in food production. The experience must have included work in a variety of cuisines, quality standards, cost controls, recipe development, catering, and food styling.

3. One (1) year (12 months) of supervisory experience in a culinary setting.

4. Two (2) years (24 months) as a chef in a commercial or institutional operation.

Note: As required by the position to be filled, possession of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) or per PA 100-0194 and/or PA 100- 0954, a valid Illinois Food Service Sanitation Manager Certification (FSSMC).

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 0730 - Food Service Chef position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 10/4/2026. The budgeted salary range for the position is $58,168.50.

Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

This position will be expected to work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus on a full-time basis per the University's Workplace Flexibility policy.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

Campus

Champaign-Urbana

Benefits

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

Equal Opportunity

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [e-mail].