Head Chef-Kitchen Manager

Evolving Solution Services; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid training

School-year schedule

Growth opportunities

Crave-It onboarding

Job summary

Crave-It Nutrition seeks a Kitchen Manager to lead the school food service at Saint Rita Catholic School in Dallas, TX. You will oversee menu development, daily kitchen operations, and a small team, delivering wholesome meals with care.

You bring 7+ years of culinary/kitchen management, strong communication with parents, and a valid Food Manager’s Certificate (or the ability to obtain it). Hours are 6–7am to 2pm, Monday–Friday, with occasional after-hours tasks.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of culinary and kitchen management experience.
• Scratch-cooked, high-quality menus for large groups.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with parent communities.
• Reliable, punctual with school environment.
• Pass criminal background check and Safe Environment Training.
• Current Food Manager's Certificate or ability to obtain prior to start date.
• Physical ability to stand, lift up to 50 lbs, and work in a fast-paced kitchen.

Responsibilities

• Lead, schedule, and supervise 1-2 cooks and servers.
• Oversee daily kitchen operations, opening/closing procedures, and service timing.
• Maintain a clean, compliant kitchen per health codes and Crave-It Nutrition standards.
• Ensure punctual meal delivery to students and staff.
• Design and rotate school lunch menus prioritizing quality ingredients.
• Source ingredients balancing nutrition, dietary needs, and budget.
• Communicate menu information and allergen details to the school community.
• Manage inventory, ordering, and waste reduction.
• Track participation numbers and adjust production accordingly.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Menu planning

Food safety

Inventory management

Team supervision

Communication

Menu design

Job description

Salary Range: $50,000.00 To $60,000.00 Annually

About the Role

Crave-It Nutrition is seeking a skilled, mission-driven Kitchen Manager to lead the school food service program at Saint Rita Catholic School in Dallas, TX. This is a high-visibility, high-impact leadership position. You will be the face of our kitchen program- serving students, earning the trust of nutrition-conscious parents, and building a culture of excellence, care, and consistency in every meal served. This is also a site that will have a secondary school being delivered to. So organization is a very important part of this role.

This role is ideal for a culinary professional who leads with humility and service, thrives in a school environment, and takes genuine pride in delivering wholesome, high-quality food to children every day.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead, schedule, and supervise a team of 1-2 cooks and servers, fostering a positive and accountable kitchen culture
• Oversee all daily kitchen operations, including opening and closing procedures, food prep timelines, and service execution
• Maintain a clean, organized, and fully compliant kitchen environment in accordance with local health codes and Crave-It Nutrition standards
• Ensure punctual meal delivery and smooth service for all students and staff

Menu Development & Culinary Quality

• Design and execute a rotating school lunch menu that prioritizes high-quality, whole-food ingredients with broad student appeal
• Source ingredients thoughtfully, balancing nutritional standards, dietary needs (allergies, religious dietary restrictions, etc.), and budget parameters
• Continuously evaluate and improve menu offerings based on student feedback, participation data, and nutritional guidelines
• Demonstrate creativity and culinary skill in daily food preparation- this role cooks alongside the team

Parent & Community Relations

• Serve as the primary point of contact for parent questions, concerns, and feedback regarding the food service program
• Communicate professionally, warmly, and respectfully with parents who hold strong opinions on nutrition, ingredient sourcing, and food quality
• Proactively share menu information, ingredient sourcing practices, and allergen details with the school community
• Partner with school administration to communicate program updates, special menus, and promotional events

Administration & Compliance

• Manage daily food inventory, ordering, and waste reduction
• Track participation numbers and adjust production accordingly to minimize food waste
• Maintain accurate records for food safety logs, temperature checks, and receiving documentation
• Complete all required Crave-It Nutrition onboarding, food handler certification, and compliance training

Qualifications & Requirements

Required

• Minimum 7 years of professional culinary and kitchen management experience, including hands-on cooking, team supervision, ordering, and inventory control
• Demonstrated ability to create scratch-cooked, high-quality menus for large groups
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills - particularly the ability to engage diplomatically and professionally with opinionated parent communities
• Proven reliability and punctuality; consistent attendance is non-negotiable in a school food service environment
• Servant-leader mindset - you take pride in serving others and set the standard by example
• Ability to pass a comprehensive criminal background check
• Willingness to complete Safe Environment Training as required by the Diocese
• Current Food Manager's Certificate (or ability to obtain prior to start date)
• Physical ability to stand for extended periods, lift up to 50 lbs, and work in a fast-paced kitchen environment
• School working hours will be Monday-Friday 6-7am-2pm but there will be some work needed to be done after those hours as well such as creating menus, inventory, etc.

Preferred

• Experience in school food service, childcare food programs, or institutional cooking
• Knowledge of common childhood food allergies and experience managing allergen-safe kitchen protocols
• Bilingual in English and Spanish
• Experience with food cost management and menu engineering

Who You Are

You are a culinary professional who sees food service as more than a job — it's a calling. You understand that in a school environment, the kitchen is an extension of the school's values: dignity, care, community, and excellence. You don't shy away from a parent with a question about ingredients; you welcome the conversation. You show up early, lead by example, and leave the kitchen better than you found it. Your team respects you because you work beside them, not above them.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary compensation based on experience
• School-year schedule with potential for summer opportunities
• Paid training and onboarding through Crave-It Nutrition
• Supportive regional management team and structured operational systems
• Opportunity to grow with a Texas-based food service company managing 65+ locations

Average schedule is 6/7am to 2pm Monday through Friday during the school year