Head Chef

careers-ucfs; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Few late nights

Holidays off

Paid vacation

401K match

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Pet insurance

Job summary

Upper Crust Food Service seeks a Head Chef to design and execute weekly from-scratch menus, directing kitchen staff with a strong emphasis on quality and presentation. You will collaborate with clients and management to uphold sanitation and standards across all meals.

The role emphasizes minimal late nights, holidays afforded, and the chance to influence Greek-life dining nationwide through hands-on leadership and menu creativity.

Qualifications

• Must have strong teamwork and communication in a fast-paced kitchen.
• Proficiency in diverse cooking methods and food handling.
• Commitment to professional appearance and sanitation standards.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, design, and execute menus for weekly cycles.
• Attend menu meetings with the chapter as required.
• Create high-quality meals with excellent presentation and flavor.
• Send regular photos of meals to management for review.
• Maintain a clean, sanitary kitchen and dining area.
• Wash utensils, equipment and dishes after service.
• Ensure kitchen operations run smoothly and timely.
• Oversee/train staff; manage schedules and performance with approval.
• Order supplies within budget and manage inventory.
• Enforce state and local sanitation and food safety standards.
• Maintain a professional, positive attitude with staff and customers.
• Assist in planning/executing special events as directed.
• Communicate with management via calls, emails, and texts.
• Ensure compliance with all staff policies.

Skills

Team collaboration

Follow instructions

Professional demeanor

Culinary techniques

Food safety

Kitchen management

Communication

Problem solving under pressure

Education

Culinary degree

Manager sanitation cert

Background check required

Job description

At Upper Crust Food Service we believe great food does more than fill plates, it creates connection, strengthens communities, and transforms everyday experiences. Across college campuses, K-12 schools, camps, and Greek housing, our teams bring hospitality to life through fresh food, meaningful relationships, and service people can count on. While we began serving fraternity and sorority communities more than 15 years ago, we've grown into a national hospitality partner supporting a wide range of dining programs across the country. No matter the setting, our purpose remains the same: to show up for the people we serve and for one another.

If you're looking for meaningful work, real ownership, and a team that believes hospitality can make a difference, we'd love to meet you.

At Upper Crust Food Service, YOU are the crucial ingredient for providing fresh healthy Greek life food nationwide. Our Chefs enjoy a lifestyle that is unmatched in the hospitality industry with very few late nights and weekend hours.

Head Chefs are responsible for creating, planning, and executing all fresh, from scratch weekly menus with input from the client and Management team. Direct all food preparation and staff in accordance with company's core values and culture. Manage and uphold the best sanitation practices in the kitchen. Maintain outstanding communication with management and customers. Consistently deliver outstanding products and customer service.

If you are excited to create cool from-scratch food and make people happy every day, we're currently looking for a classically trained Chef who is driven by their love and passion for food.

What's in it for you?

• Very few late nights and weekend hours
• Time off for most holidays
• Paid vacations
• A competitive 401K with company match
• Health, dental, vision, and pet insurance

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepare, design, and execute menus
• Menu meetings with the chapter will be required.
• Create high-quality meals with excellent presentation and flavor.
• Send photos regularly of meal presentations to management
• Maintain a clean and sanitary kitchen and dining room
• Wash kitchen utensils, equipment and dishes.
• Ensure the kitchen operates in a timely manner
• Oversee and train kitchen staff, manage schedules, and assess performance with management's approval.
• Order supplies in accordance with budgetary requirements and stock inventory
• Enforce sanitation and food safety standards per state and local regulations.
• Maintain a professional and positive attitude with coworkers and customers.
• Assist in planning and executing special events as directed by management.
• Communicate regularly with management via calls, emails, and texts.
• Ensure compliance with all policies among staff.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, and responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work well as part of a team.
• Understand, remember, and apply oral and/or written instructions
• Deal with challenging customers in a professional manner
• Demonstrate understanding and proficiency in various cooking methods, cuisines, ingredients, equipment, and procedures
• Show understanding of and commit to a professional appearance and positive attitude
• Maintain excellent record of kitchen and staff management
• Exhibit accuracy and speed in handling emergency situations and providing solutions
• Be familiar with the industry's best practices

Preferred Education and Experience:

• 3+ years in professional, high-volume food production or catering, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience
• Ability to pass a background check
• Culinary degree is a plus
• Must hold a valid manager level sanitation certification or obtain one within 30 days of employment

Special Demands:

• The work environment can be loud and busy. There are many kitchen hazards such as hot surfaces and liquids, sharp knives, and slippery floors.
• Capability to work in a kitchen environment that may involve exposure to extreme heat or cold.
• Required to stand for long periods, up to 8+ hours, as well as walk, bend and stoop.
• Must be able to lift and/or move objects up to 50 pounds.
• Exposure to cleaning chemicals

Upper Crust Food Service provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.