Career Center

Who we’re looking for:

ESLA is seeking a Head Chef who believes in and models ESLA’s mission and virtues. The Head Chef will complete a variety of organizational, administrative, and creative tasks to ensure that members of the ESLA community can bond over three well-prepared meals on a daily basis. The Head Chef will have the leadership capacity to ensure that the kitchen runs optimally, and that all meals are both delicious and memorable. The Head Chef will have a mindset that demonstrates ESLA's belief that given access to a genuinely supportive environment all students have the ability to not only thrive, but make a difference in their world as they passionately pursue their goals.  

The ideal candidate has:

• Strong leadership and team-management skills 
• Distinguished service as a chef 
• Eagerness to give feedback to ensure the continual development of kitchen staff
• Ability to communicate effectively and establish a friendly kitchen environment
• A demonstrated and ongoing commitment to the discovery and development of ESLA’s Root Work initiatives 
• Demonstrated success in meeting the needs of an ethnically, culturally, socioeconomically, and linguistically diverse student body
• An ability to recognize an area of need, and independently draft initiatives to address these areas. 

About the Position:

This is an administrative position that reports directly to the Director of Student Affairs and is also responsible to the Chief Financial Officer. The Head Chef is an advocate for sustainably sourced and well-balanced meals. The Head Chef supports and partners with various administrators to ensure that all students can access the food program at ESLA. The Head Chef collaborates with other colleagues to develop programming that supports students’ culinary interests. The Head Chef will be prepared to join members of the kitchen team in preparing meals as needed. 

Responsibilities

• Comply with LA County and California nutrition and food hygiene guidelines for school communities 
• Ensure that kitchen staff are up to date with service and food handling credentials
• Train members of the kitchen team on culinary techniques as needed
• Develop unique and developmentally appropriate menus
• Ensure that  (breakfast, lunch, and snack)  menus are submitted for review and approval at least one month in advance
• Prep and prepares meals alongside sous chef and kitchen staff as needed
• Direct kitchen operations daily
• Manage effectively the operating budget of the kitchen to ensure that food expenses do not exceed predetermined amounts
• Monitor kitchen inventory regularly, and purchases necessary supplies through approved vendors
• Cultivate and maintain positive relationships with vendors
• Collaborate with members of the administrative team to ensure that food service is available at school-sponsored events as needed
• Establish cleaning schedules and routines to ensure that kitchen, student kitchen, and all faculty spaces meet company standards and health code requirements.  
• Arrange and schedule regular maintenance for large kitchen appliances 
• Inform supervisor of any large appliance repairs or replacements that need to occur prior to purchase. 
• Create work schedules for all members of the kitchen team and ensure that overtime receives pre-approval. 
• Ensure that members of the kitchen team request vacation as outlined by ESLA’s employee handbook 

Requirements:

All or most of the following: 

• Culinary degree preferred 
• A desire to work in a creative, collaborative, innovative environment
• Strong organizational skills
• Candidates will preferably have a minimum of 3+ years of cooking experience

To Apply:

Please send a cover letter and the following information with the subject line “Head Chef” to hiring@es-la.com

• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
• A written statement describing 
• Why you are interested in the position