University of Rochester

Chef de Cuisine

University of Rochester$64K — $96K *
Hospitality & Recreation
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Culinary Arts degree or equivalent professional culinary training and 3 years of professional kitchen experience required.
  • Experience managing kitchen staff and ensuring smooth kitchen operations required.
  • Strong knowledge of food safety regulations, kitchen equipment, and culinary techniques required.
  • Excellent communication and organizational skills required.
  • Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, train, and mentor team members required.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee day-to-day operations of the kitchen team, ensuring efficiency and proper staffing.
  • Lead menu creation and development to provide appealing meals for a diverse population.
  • Monitor food preparation and presentation to ensure quality and consistency.
  • Ensure adherence to food safety and sanitation guidelines in all kitchen practices.
  • Assist in managing kitchen budgets and tracking inventory levels.
  • Foster collaboration with other departments to maintain seamless meal service.
  • Stay updated with culinary trends to bring innovative ideas to the dining program.

Benefits

  • Professional development opportunities in culinary training and workshops.
  • Participation in special events and catering services for the university community.
  • Supportive team environment with opportunities for mentorship and growth.
  • Balanced work-life schedule with rotating shifts.
  • Access to university dining facilities and community outreach initiatives.
Full Job Description
Job Location (Full Address):

735 Library Rd, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14627

Opening:

Worker Subtype:
Regular

Time Type:
Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40

Department:
100105 Auxiliary Operations

Work Shift:
UR - Rotating (United States of America)

Range:
UR URG 111

Compensation Range:
$64,200.00 - $96,200.00

The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

Responsibilities:

Oversees the day-to-day operations of the kitchen within the University's dining program. Serves as a team lead for a group of culinary professionals and works closely with culinary leadership to maintain and elevate the quality of food and service. Leads menu creation, development, and implementation in order to provide nutritious and high-quality meals to students, faculty, and staff. Manages food production, ensuring adherence to food safety standards, and fostering a positive and efficient kitchen environment. Assists with strategic planning and coordination, inventory, and budgeting.

Essential Functions:
  • Supervises and leads day-to-day operations of the kitchen team, including chefs, line cooks, and other kitchen staff, ensuring all roles are filled and the kitchen runs efficiently. Supports the training, development, and mentorship of kitchen staff, ensuring proper culinary techniques and standards are followed. Fosters a positive and cooperative team environment, ensuring clear communication and collaboration within the kitchen. May assist with staff scheduling to ensure adequate coverage. Supports planning and executing special events, catering services, and dining program promotions.
  • Collaborates with culinary leadership and staff in menu creation, development and planning, ensuring that meals are nutritious, balanced, and appealing to the University's diverse student population. Creates and adapts menus based on seasonal availability, dietary restrictions, and student preferences. Oversees the creation of special event menus, catering, and themed meals for university functions or community outreach. Implements changes to menu offerings based on feedback received.
  • Oversees the preparation, cooking, and presentation of meals, ensuring consistency, quality, and efficiency in all aspects of the kitchen. Works closely with leadership to ensure menu items are executed to the highest standards, including meal prep, special diets (e.g., vegetarian, gluten-free), and seasonal menus. Coordinates and oversees the smooth operation of multiple kitchen sections, ensuring all items are produced on time and in accordance with the university's dining policies.
  • Ensures that all food preparation and storage practices adhere to food safety and sanitation guidelines, including the correct handling of allergens. Monitors kitchen cleanliness and organization, ensuring that all areas meet health department and university standards. Conducts regular checks of kitchen equipment to ensure that it is functioning properly and that maintenance issues are reported promptly. Performs quality control checks on prepared dishes to ensure they meet the University's standards for taste, presentation, and nutritional value.
  • Assists in managing kitchen budgets, including food and labor costs, to ensure efficient operation and reduce waste. Tracks inventory levels and assists in ordering ingredients while maintaining cost-effective purchasing practices. Assists with procurement and production planning activities.
  • Works closely with other departments within the dining program to ensure seamless meal service. Communicates effectively with dining services leadership, students, faculty, and staff to maintain high satisfaction levels. Fosters a positive work environment and promotes teamwork within the kitchen staff.
  • Stays updated with industry trends, new cooking techniques, and emerging food-related trends to bring fresh ideas to the university dining program. Participates in continuing education, workshops, or culinary training opportunities to refine skills and enhance the quality of kitchen operations.
  • Other duties as assigned.


Minimum Education & Experience:
  • Culinary Arts degree or equivalent professional culinary training and 3 years of professional kitchen experience required.
  • Or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Experience managing kitchen staff and ensuring the smooth operation of kitchen functions required.


Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
  • Strong knowledge of food safety regulations, kitchen equipment, and culinary techniques required.
  • Ability to work well under pressure, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines required.
  • Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, train, and mentor team members required.
  • Excellent communication and organizational skills required.
  • Understanding of budget management, food costs, and inventory control required.
  • Ability to work nights, weekends, or holidays as needed required.
  • Passion for creating innovative and high-quality meals for a broad population preferred.
  • Ability to lead and motivate a team of staff members preferred.


Licenses and Certifications:
  • ServSafe Certification within 1 year required.
  • AllerTrain Certification within 1 year required.


About University of Rochester

The University of Rochester is a private research university located in Rochester, New York. It was founded in 1850 and has since grown to become one of the top universities in the United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in a wide range of fields, including business, engineering, humanities, and social sciences. The university is known for its strong research programs, particularly in the fields of optics, photonics, and imaging. The university has a diverse student body and is committed to providing a high-quality education to all of its students.
Learn more about University of Rochester
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