Executive Chef - McCallie School - Chattanooga, TN

About the Role:

As the Executive Chef, you will oversee all culinary functions for the dining account, ensuring top-tier service, safety, and cost management. You'll lead a dynamic culinary team, manage menu creation, and implement innovative food programs in collaboration with marketing and the culinary team. If you're passionate about leading teams, creating exciting and nutritious menus, and driving culinary excellence, this is your chance to make a lasting impact on the school community.

McCallie School is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and offers boys in grades 6-12 an exceptional education. McCallie's academic and extracurricular programs are designed specifically to cater to the unique needs of boys, providing a well-rounded and enriching experience. As part of the FISD, McCallie team, you will play a key role in providing exceptional dining experiences that support the school's commitment to excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and inspire a team of culinary professionals (up to 30 hourly associates and 1 salaried Sous Chef), ensuring they are motivated, well-trained, and committed to providing high-quality meals.
• Plan and create diverse and creative menus that meet the dietary needs of students and staff while maintaining variety and freshness.
• Manage cost controls and expenditures for the dining account, ensuring financial goals are met while maintaining food quality and portion control.
• Oversee the purchasing and management of inventory, ensuring proper stock levels and minimizing waste.
• Collaborate with the marketing and culinary teams to introduce new culinary programs, ensuring they align with student needs and dining trends.
• Maintain high standards for food safety and sanitation, ensuring compliance with all health regulations and company policies.
• Stay current with food trends and best practices to continuously elevate the culinary offerings and maintain an exciting dining experience for the school community.
• Oversee both front-of-house (FOH) and back-of-house (BOH) operations to ensure smooth daily operations and exceptional service.

Required Qualifications:

• Catering Experience: Required, with experience in managing large-scale catering operations.
• Culinary Management Experience: Minimum of 5 years of culinary management experience as an Executive Chef or Chef Manager.
• Leadership: Proven experience managing a team of up to 30 hourly associates, along with 1 salaried Sous Chef.
• FOH and BOH Management: Strong experience in both front-of-house and back-of-house responsibilities to ensure smooth daily operations.
• Menu Planning Experience: Proven experience in planning diverse and balanced menus that meet customer needs and dietary restrictions.
• EDU Experience (Preferred): While not required, prior experience in an educational setting is highly preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A culinary degree or formal training (preferred but not required).
• High-volume kitchen management experience, especially in catering or institutional settings.
• Strong financial acumen, with experience in managing budgets, food costs, and other operational expenses.
• Leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop a diverse team of culinary professionals.
• Proficiency in food safety and sanitation regulations and a commitment to maintaining a clean, safe, and efficient kitchen.

At FISD, we're a community that values creativity, excellence, and collaboration. As the Executive Chef, you'll have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the dining experience for the students, staff, and faculty. If you are passionate about culinary innovation, leading a team, and creating exceptional dining experiences, we want to hear from you!