School Dining Sous Chef - Lead Scratch Kitchen

Compass Group USA; Limestone (ME); On-site; USD 52,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Flik Independent School Dining in Limestone, Maine, seeks a Sous Chef to support daily culinary operations at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics, a public, STEM-focused residential boarding school serving about 100 students.

You will partner with the Executive Chef on menu development, food production, catering events, inventory management, and mentoring hourly staff, while upholding HACCP, food safety, and high-quality standards to nourish students daily.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Culinary Arts or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years of dynamic culinary or kitchen management 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 a strong sense of ownership and collaboration.
• Dedication to customer happiness and a passion for crafting delicious, nutritious meals for students and school communities.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Executive Chef in daily kitchen operations, including food preparation, production, and supervision of back-of-house staff.
• Support cost control initiatives by assisting with inventory management, ordering, and minimizing food waste.
• Help plan, develop, and implement menus that align with company culinary standards, student preferences, and nutritional guidelines.
• Lead or support the preparation and execution of catered events, ensuring high quality food, presentation, and service.
• Implement and support new culinary programs and initiatives in collaboration with the Executive Chef and corporate culinary team.
• Ensure all food safety and sanitation guidelines are rigorously followed, including compliance with HACCP and allergy protocols.
• Maintain high standards for food quality, cleanliness, and organization in all kitchen areas.
• Participate in training and mentoring hourly culinary staff to support skill development and team culture.
• Champion a safe, inclusive, and collaborative kitchen environment that reflects the values of the school community and company.

Skills

Leadership

Menu planning

Cost control

Food safety

Training staff

HACCP

ServSafe

Education

Associate degree in Culinary Arts

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

Flik Independent School Dining in Limestone, Maine, seeks a Sous Chef to support daily culinary operations at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics, a public, STEM-focused residential boarding school serving about 100 students.

You will partner with the Executive Chef on menu development, food production, catering events, inventory management, and mentoring hourly staff, while upholding HACCP, food safety, and high-quality standards to nourish students daily.