Head Chef/Kitchen Manager

The Head Chef is responsible for the day-to-day culinary operations of the parish and school, including hands on food preparation, menu execution, kitchen leadership, food safety compliance, and hospitality support. This role ensures high-quality, nutritious, and cost-effective food service while supporting parish and school events. This position is both operational and supervisory, with significant time spent in food production, alongside responsibility for coordinating staff, volunteers, and kitchen processes. This position may also support enrichment opportunities such as seasonal cooking and baking classes for students, parishioners, and community members. General Responsibilities Employment in and by the Church is distinct from secular employment. Employees are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the mission and teachings of the Catholic Church. Public behavior must align with Church teachings, morals, and laws, as well as those of the Archdiocese. Employees are expected to respect Catholic doctrine and support the mission of the parish and school. Key Responsibilities Culinary Operations (Primary Function) Prepare and cook meals for school, parish programs, and events Execute menus with consistency, quality, and efficiency Assist with food prep, cooking, plating, and service as needed daily Adapt meals to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies Ensure proper portioning and presentation standards Assist in development of seasonal menus and special event offerings Support hospitality and catering style service for parish and school functions Contribute creative menu ideas for community building and fundraising events Program Continuity and Transition Support continuity of kitchen operations during staff transition Assist in maintaining consistent systems, recipes, and workflows Contribute to improvements in efficiency and service delivery Kitchen Coordination and Leadership Provide daily direction to kitchen staff and volunteers Assist in scheduling and coordinating kitchen coverage Support onboarding and training of kitchen personnel Lead by example through hands on participation in all kitchen functions Food Safety and Compliance Maintain strict adherence to food safety and sanitation standards Ensure compliance with all local and state health regulations Monitor food temperatures, storage, and handling procedures Maintain cleaning schedules and sanitation logs Inventory and Purchasing Support Assist with inventory tracking and ordering of food and supplies Monitor usage and minimize waste Work within established budgets and purchasing guidelines Support vendor coordination as needed Events and Parish Functions Prepare and execute food service for parish and school events and meetings (approximately 2-3/month) Support hospitality functions with professionalism and flexibility Collaborate with parish and school leadership, volunteers, and event coordinators to ensure successful event execution Optional opportunities may include evening or weekend catering support for parish and school functions during the academic year Community Engagement & Enrichment Programs Support development of cooking, baking, or culinary enrichment classes during the summer and school year Create engaging culinary experiences that promote community involvement and hospitality Participate in initiatives that strengthen parish and school fellowship through food and hospitality