Nonprofit Lead Culinary Programs Chef
4 days ago
Salt Lake City
Job Description Compensation & Schedule Part-Time | 30 Hours per Week (will possibility of full time) $25 - $28 per Hour DOE In-Person | Salt Lake City, Utah About Food Justice Coalition Food Justice Coalition (FJC) is a nonprofit dedicated to combating hunger in Utah through immediate relief, education, and advocacy. Since 2020, FJC has served more than 100,000 meals and built a network of community partners to ensure Utahns have access to nutritious, culturally relevant, fully prepared meals. Position Summary The Lead Culinary Programs Chef is responsible for leading all food preparation and meal production for Food Justice Coalition's hunger relief programs, catering services, community events, and special projects. This is a hands-on role for an experienced culinary professional who thrives in high-volume production environments and is passionate about creating exceptional plant-based meals. The ideal candidate has a strong culinary background across a variety of cuisines and cooking techniques, with particular expertise in preparing flavorful, nutrient-dense plant-based meals. This individual serves as the culinary lead during meal production and catering fulfillment, ensuring all food meets FJC standards for quality, consistency, cultural relevance, food safety, and presentation. Reports to: Kitchen Director Key Responsibilities Culinary Leadership & Meal Production • Serve as the lead chef for all Food Justice Coalition meal production activities., • Lead preparation and execution of high-volume meal production for hunger relief programs, community events, and catering services. • Prepare and cook a wide variety of dishes utilizing diverse culinary techniques and global flavor profiles. • Develop and execute plant-based recipes that are nutritious, culturally relevant, and appealing to diverse communities. • Maintain consistent quality, flavor, portioning, and presentation standards., • Direct kitchen workflow and assign tasks during meal production., • Ensure all food is properly labeled, dated, stored, and handled according to food safety standards. Menu Development & Culinary Innovation • Develop seasonal menus aligned with FJC's mission, budget, and nutritional goals., • Create innovative plant-based meals inspired by a variety of culinary traditions., • Adapt recipes for large-scale production while maintaining quality and flavor., • Incorporate donated and seasonal ingredients to reduce waste and maximize resources. Catering Services & Client Fulfillment • Serve as the lead chef for all Food Justice Coalition catering services., • Plan, prepare, and execute catering orders for nonprofit organizations, businesses, government agencies, community groups, and private clients. • Collaborate with staff on catering proposals, menu development, pricing, and event logistics., • Ensure all catering orders are prepared accurately, delivered on time, and meet FJC standards for quality and presentation. • Scale recipes and production schedules to accommodate varying event sizes and client needs., • Support growth of catering services as a mission-driven earned revenue program., • Assist with event setup, food presentation, and service as needed. Kitchen Operations • Oversee daily kitchen operations including inventory management, procurement, and production planning. • Maintain compliance with food safety, sanitation, and health department requirements., • Monitor food costs and support efficient use of resources., • Assist with equipment maintenance and organization. Volunteer Leadership & Community Engagement • Lead and supervise kitchen volunteers during meal production shifts., • Train volunteers on food preparation, sanitation, and safety procedures., • Foster an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative kitchen environment., • Support culinary education workshops, demonstrations, and community events. Qualifications • Must be at least 21 years old., • Minimum 3 years of professional culinary experience; 5+ years preferred., • Demonstrated experience leading food production in a commercial kitchen., • Significant experience preparing meals from a variety of culinary traditions and cuisines., • Professional experience developing and preparing plant-based meals., • Strong knife skills, cooking techniques, and kitchen operations knowledge., • Ability to lead volunteers and work effectively with diverse populations., • Strong organizational and time-management skills., • Current Food Handler Permit and ability to obtain or maintain ServSafe Manager Certification., • Experience with catering, banquet production, or large-scale meal service strongly preferred. Equal Opportunity Employer Food Justice Coalition is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other protected status under applicable law. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Food Justice Coalition is unable to sponsor employment visas. Company DescriptionAbout Food Justice Coalition Food Justice Coalition (FJC) is a nonprofit dedicated to combating hunger in Utah through immediate relief, education, and advocacy. Since 2020, we have served more than 100,000 meals, launched innovative community education initiatives, and built a coalition of partners to ensure all Utahns—especially those experiencing time poverty, systemic barriers, and food insecurity—have access to nutrient-dense, culturally relevant, fully prepared meals. Our work is rooted in dignity, justice, and the belief that food is a human right.About Food Justice Coalition\r\nFood Justice Coalition (FJC) is a nonprofit dedicated to combating hunger in Utah through immediate relief, education, and advocacy. Since 2020, we have served more than 100,000 meals, launched innovative community education initiatives, and built a coalition of partners to ensure all Utahns—especially those experiencing time poverty, systemic barriers, and food insecurity—have access to nutrient-dense, culturally relevant, fully prepared meals. Our work is rooted in dignity, justice, and the belief that food is a human right.