Lead Production Chef – Community Kitchen & Events

Dreaming Out Loud, Inc.; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 33,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Paid Time Off

Health and Dental Insurance

Monthly Cell Phone Stipend

Flexible Spending Accounts for Transit

Transit Assistance through SmartBenefi

Automatic salary increases with tenure

401(k) match up to 5%

100% Employer Paid Life Insurance

100% Employer Paid Short and Long-Term

Job summary

Dreaming Out Loud, Inc. in Washington, DC is seeking a Lead Production Chef (Culinary Coordinator) to support the Culinary Manager in high-volume kitchen operations and event catering, including menu development, inventory, and safety compliance.

You will oversee the product kitchen, ensure quality, prepare thousands of pounds of produce, coordinate with vendors, and help deliver community-focused meals and outreach at the Marion Barry Ave Market & Café, with flexible shifts including evenings

Qualifications

• 3+ years in food service, food production, and high-volume catering.
• 3+ years in running food distribution at events or festivals.
• Working knowledge of the fundamentals of cooking.
• ServSafe certified.
• Reliability and adaptability.
• Ability to work in various weather conditions.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Availability on evenings and weekends.
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record and ability to safely operate company vehicles as needed.
• Computer skills and experience with database entry.

Responsibilities

• Obtains daily production schedule and preparation requirements from the Culinary Manager and supports kitchen operations as needed.
• Work in a high-volume production kitchen preparing and packaging thousands of pounds of produce and other goods.
• Ensures consistency and quality of food preparation by following approved recipes, production standards, serving temperatures, and portion controls.
• Tastes completed meals and monitors production to ensure food quality and adherence to established standards.
• Complies with all federal, state, and local health and sanitation regulations, department procedures, and HACCP guidelines.
• Operates, cleans, and maintains kitchen equipment in accordance with department procedures and assists with equipment inventory.
• Completes required kitchen documentation, reports, and logs.
• Contributes to the development and improvement of processes that enhance kitchen safety, efficiency, and food quality.
• Properly stores, labels, dates, and rotates food items while monitoring waste, overproduction, and appropriate use of leftovers.
• Supports the planning and execution of community outreach activities, events, and other business development opportunities.
• Coordinates event logistics based on client requirements, including communication with vendors, exhibitors, stakeholders, and other partners.
• Addresses customer concerns and helps ensure a positive customer and event experience.
• Supports event execution, including loading and unloading vehicles, setting up event kitchens and displays, managing equipment, and completing event set-up and tear-down.
• Assist with the daily operations of the Marion Barry Ave Market & Café, including production, food preparation, and providing coverage for in-store shifts as needed.

Skills

Food production

High-volume catering

ServSafe certified

Driver’s license

Job description

Dreaming Out Loud, Inc. in Washington, DC is seeking a Lead Production Chef (Culinary Coordinator) to support the Culinary Manager in high-volume kitchen operations and event catering, including menu development, inventory, and safety compliance.

You will oversee the product kitchen, ensure quality, prepare thousands of pounds of produce, coordinate with vendors, and help deliver community-focused meals and outreach at the Marion Barry Ave Market & Café, with flexible shifts including evenings