Head Chef

Lead a Kitchen That Makes a Difference.

At The School Gourmet, we're redefining what school meals can be. We believe every child deserves fresh, nutritious, chef-inspired meals prepared with excellence, and we're looking for an experienced Head Chef to lead our culinary team.

This is not your typical restaurant position.

We're seeking a culinary leader who is passionate about food, thrives in high-volume production, builds strong teams, and takes pride in creating systems that deliver exceptional quality every single day.

If you're an experienced chef who enjoys mentoring others, maintaining high standards, and leading with integrity, we'd love to meet you.

Reports To: Director of Operations / Executive Leadership

Salary negotiable based on experience and qualifications

What You'll Be Responsible For

Kitchen Leadership & Operations

• Oversee daily operations of the central kitchen and/or onsite school kitchens
• Ensure consistency, quality, and efficiency in high-volume meal production
• Maintain clean, organized, and compliant kitchen environments
• Manage food preparation, packaging, and service execution

Menu Development & Food Quality

• Develop and execute menus aligned with National School Lunch Program (NSLP)standards
• Create nutritious, appealing meals using whole, high-quality ingredients
• Standardize recipes and ensure consistency across all sites
• Continuously improve menu offerings based on feedback and performance

Staff Training & Development

• Train kitchen and production staff on culinary techniques, food safety, and operational procedures
• Establish clear systems for food prep, storage, and service
• Lead by example in professionalism, organization, and kitchen excellence

Inventory, Procurement & Cost Control

• Order supplies and manage vendor relationships
• Oversee food costing and maintain budget targets
• Monitor inventory levels and reduce waste

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure compliance with USDA, NSLP, and local health department regulations
• Maintain ServSafe and food safety standards across all operations

Collaboration & Growth

• Work closely with leadership to scale and improve operations
• Participate in hiring and onboarding kitchen staff
• Support events, tastings, and community engagement initiatives

What Success Looks Like

• Consistently delivering high-quality, nutritious meals at scale
• Building a well-trained, efficient, and accountable kitchen team
• Creating systems that improve consistency, speed, and food quality
• Driving student satisfaction and engagement with meals
• Maintaining strong cost control and operational excellence

Required Qualifications

• Culinary degree is preferred OR experienced applicants with verifiable references
• 2-5+ years of professional culinary experience (high-volume preferred)
• Previous kitchen leadership or supervisory experience
• ServSafe Certified (or ability to obtain)
• Experience with school nutrition programs or NSLP (preferred)
• Strong understanding of food costing and kitchen operations
• Passion for nutrition and cooking for children

Preferred Qualifications

• ServSafe Manager Certification (or ability to obtain immediately)
• Experience working in K-12 schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, corporate dining, catering, or other institutional food service environments
• Experience producing large-volume meals with consistency and efficiency
• Knowledge of USDA school nutrition standards, CACFP, or National School Lunch Program (NSLP) guidelines is a strong plus

We're Looking For Someone Who

• Leads by example
• Inspires and develops their team
• Holds themselves and others to high standards
• Thinks strategically while remaining hands-on
• Solves problems before they become issues
• Takes ownership and accountability
• Believes that quality, consistency, and service matter every day

We're Growing!

The School Gourmet is hiring 20+ team members across multiple departments.

This Head Chef position is one of several leadership opportunities available as we expand our operations. We also have multiple positions opening throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area, creating exciting opportunities for long-term career growth.

Apply Today

If you're an experienced culinary professional looking to lead with purpose, build exceptional teams, and leave a lasting impact on the next generation, we'd love to hear from you.

Excellence starts in the kitchen. Help us set the standard for school nutrition.