Head Chef: Lead From-Scratch Menus & High-Volume Kitchen

Upper Crust Food Service, LLC; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Upper Crust Food Service, LLC seeks a Head Chef to run the kitchen for one of our chapter houses, planning fresh, from-scratch menus each week and leading the kitchen team. You’ll work directly with the chapter to determine menus and ensure top quality, consistency, and hospitality standards.

This hands-on leadership role requires experience in high-volume food production, strong cooking skills, and the ability to train and manage staff while maintaining safety and cleanliness throughout the

Qualifications

• 3+ years in professional, high-volume food production or catering, or equivalent experience
• Culinary degree a plus, not required
• Manager-level sanitation certification, or ability to obtain one within 30 days of employment
• Proficiency across cooking methods, cuisines, and kitchen equipment
• A steady hand under pressure and a clear head in a crisis
• Ability to pass a background check

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute fresh, from-scratch weekly menus, with regular menu meetings with the chapter
• Create high-quality meals with excellent presentation and flavor, and send photos of plated meals to management
• Keep the kitchen and dining room clean and sanitary — tables, grills, fryers, ovens, refrigeration, floors, and everything in between
• Train and oversee kitchen staff, manage schedules, and assess performance with management's approval
• Order supplies within budget and keep inventory stocked
• Enforce food safety and sanitation standards per state and local regulations
• Plan and execute special events as directed by management
• Communicate regularly with management and the chapter by phone, email, and text
• Hold the team accountable to every UCFS policy

Skills

Kitchen leadership

High-volume cooking

Food safety knowledge

Menu planning

Staff training

Background check

Education

Manager-level sanitation certification

Culinary degree

Tools

Kitchen equipment knowledge

Job description

Upper Crust Food Service, LLC seeks a Head Chef to run the kitchen for one of our chapter houses, planning fresh, from-scratch menus each week and leading the kitchen team. You’ll work directly with the chapter to determine menus and ensure top quality, consistency, and hospitality standards.

This hands-on leadership role requires experience in high-volume food production, strong cooking skills, and the ability to train and manage staff while maintaining safety and cleanliness throughout the