Lead K-12 Sous Chef: Scratch Cooking & Menu Leader

Flik Independent School Dining; Hamden (CT); On-site; USD 65,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance/ AD

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Associate Shopping Program

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet Insurance

Commuter Benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Paid Parental Leave

Personal Leave

Job summary

Flik Independent School Dining is seeking a Sous Chef to lead culinary operations in a dynamic K–12 school dining program. You will assist with daily production, menu development, catering execution, inventory control, and supervising hourly kitchen staff.

The ideal candidate has 2+ years of kitchen management experience, strong catering skills, and a passion for scratch cooking and nutritious student meals. This full-time role reports to the Executive Chef and emphasizes safety and quality.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Culinary Arts or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years of dynamic culinary or kitchen management experience in high-volume foodservice operations; K–12, institutional, or contract dining preferred.
• Strong catering experience and ability to lead special events.
• Knowledge of scratch cooking, batch production, and food cost controls.
• Understanding of food trends, seasonal ingredients, and sustainable practices.
• ServSafe Certification highly preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Outlook, and internet-based tools.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with ownership and collaboration.
• Dedication to customer happiness and crafting nutritious meals for students.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Executive Chef in daily kitchen operations, including food preparation and supervision.
• Support inventory management, ordering, and minimizing food waste.
• Help plan, develop, and implement menus aligned with standards and nutrition guidelines.
• Lead or support catered events with high-quality food and presentation.
• Implement culinary programs in collaboration with the Executive Chef and corporate team.
• Ensure HACCP and allergy protocol compliance.
• Maintain high standards for cleanliness and organization in all kitchen areas.
• Mentor hourly culinary staff to support skill development and team culture.
• Champion a safe, inclusive, collaborative kitchen reflecting school and company values.

Skills

Kitchen Management

Catering Experience

Food Cost Control

Leadership

Communication

Education

Associate degree in Culinary Arts

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

Flik Independent School Dining is seeking a Sous Chef to lead culinary operations in a dynamic K–12 school dining program. You will assist with daily production, menu development, catering execution, inventory control, and supervising hourly kitchen staff.

The ideal candidate has 2+ years of kitchen management experience, strong catering skills, and a passion for scratch cooking and nutritious student meals. This full-time role reports to the Executive Chef and emphasizes safety and quality.