Head Chef & School Nutrition Leader

whitsonsculinarygroup; New Britain (CT); On-site; USD 65,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Whitsons is seeking a Chef Manager to lead our school dining program, blending culinary excellence with leadership to nourish students and support healthy choices in the cafeteria.

You will manage daily kitchen operations, supervise teams, develop nutritious menus in line with USDA guidelines, uphold food safety, and collaborate with school administrators to promote student well‑being.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of high-volume food service management experience, preferably K-12 or contract food service.
• Experience managing kitchen teams, controlling costs, scheduling, and maintaining sanitation compliance.
• ServSafe certification required; local jurisdiction safety certification preferred.
• Knowledge of USDA school meal requirements and production planning.
• College or culinary degree; FMP preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily kitchen operations to deliver healthy meals to students and staff.
• Supervise and train kitchen staff for culinary excellence and efficiency.
• Create nutritious, kid-friendly menus compliant with USDA guidelines.
• Maintain food safety, sanitation, and inventory controls.
• Collaborate with administrators and nutrition staff to support student wellbeing.
• Manage production records, vendor orders, and kitchen budgets.
• Foster a welcoming, inclusive kitchen culture focused on teamwork.

Skills

Culinary management

Scratch cooking

Leadership

Food safety knowledge

Education

Culinary degree or related

FMP certification preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Whitsons is seeking a Chef Manager to lead our school dining program, blending culinary excellence with leadership to nourish students and support healthy choices in the cafeteria.

You will manage daily kitchen operations, supervise teams, develop nutritious menus in line with USDA guidelines, uphold food safety, and collaborate with school administrators to promote student well‑being.