Company description We are a small, very busy and growing catering company in Berkeley, CA.  We primarily do a lunch time delivery service, all family style, all over the Bay Area.  We are wanting to change things up a bit and really focus on beautiful, healthy food with a different clientele.   This requires the owner to step out of the kitchen and focus on the growing of the business and as a result, the need for someone to come in and run the kitchen in all of its facets.  

This position would be perfect for someone who is extremely confident and has a strong creative vision they would want to implement.  Someone who wants to dig in and make some delicious, beautiful food with all the creative freedom they desire.  Job description

FULL-TIME HEAD CHEF/KITCHEN MANAGER AT JEN MILTON CATERING

(BERKELEY, CA)

Busy (mostly lunch- time) catering company looking for a detail oriented, head chef trained in healthy, farm-to-table scratch cooking methods, with experience in creative menu writing and kitchen management.

As the head chef, you will be responsible for overseeing and running the kitchen entirely (with support staff, of course)

 

This can be an exciting opportunity for someone who is looking to have creative freedom and who really wants to take the reigns and make this their own!!  This person can hire their own team if wanted, assist in writing new menus and to help take this business in its new direction! We are looking for a talented and creative chef for our new concept and to execute the existing model while being a major player in the development of the new direction we are headed in!

 

You will be responsible for staff management, vendor relations, food cost management, sourcing high-quality ingredients, ensuring the kitchen is cleaned at health department regulations level, some aspects of customer service, and ensuring that high-quality, personalized meals go out each day. Our menu changes seasonally and we create custom menus on an as needed basis.

 

Job Details:

This is a full-time, salaried position, hours Monday-Friday (typically) 6 am – 1 pm (approximate hours) and will be required to work occasionally on Saturday and Sunday.

Break Down of Responsibilities:

• Assist in menu planning as needed
• Responsible for organizing and scheduling daily preparation of food to ensure high quality. Food must be prepared, packaged and loaded in warmers for delivery to clients typically between 8:30 and 10:00am.
• Schedule and oversee kitchen crew (prep chefs and dishwasher)
• Manage inventory of ingredients to assure sufficient availability.
• Purchase goods from JETRO, Berkeley Bowl and or, place orders for meats and produce from our vendors that deliver. This is done as needed, typically 2 times a week.  
• Check in products from vendors.
• Keep a running list of items needed from various vendors so that they are available.
• Keep the kitchen clean and organized to include quarterly deep cleaning.
• Make sure opening and closing checklists are complete and up to date.
• Prepare food in a timely manner to assure quality product.
• Attention to detail is a must. The position is responsible for ensuring that all client guidelines are followed, especially allergies and specific wants and needs.
• Quality control of all food to include garnishing, taste, presentation.
• Manage and assist with various functions JMC is involved in such as catered events and private parties.
• Ensure cost control measures are in place to minimize waste by not over purchasing, watching portion sizes and minimizing spoilage (FIFO).
• Other duties as assigned.

Desired Skills & Experience:

• Great communicator, who can accurately and easily communicate to the team the days agenda
• Strong team leader and manager who can not only deal with food, but also handle food costs, pricing and creating work schedules, etc.
• Extremely confident and comfortable working in a fast-paced, detail-oriented kitchen environment.
• Incorporates creativity into food preparation.
• Must be able to adjust to changing menus every season and produce custom menus for clients as the need arises.
• Strong ability to work under pressure with little supervision and ability to stay calm and focused in all situations.
• Basic computer skills, and other technologies to include printers and smartphones.
• Fun, high-energy and brings a positive attitude to the kitchen
• Must have capabilities in: menu writing, ingredient substitutions, butchering, excellent knife skills, food safety/handling, maintaining a commercial kitchen, excellent cooking skills and ability to produce gourmet eclectic food.
• Someone who is organized and works well in a team environment and can share kitchen space with one other vendor.
• Flexibility in your schedule (this would be your only job) so that you are available when the job requires it.
• Someone who knows how to think fast on their feet and is always 12 steps ahead.
• Absolutely no drama or ego.  Looking for a level headed, communicative professional who commands respect through experience, actions and leadership not yelling or emotional outbursts.  If you have a hot temper, are a yeller or don't know how to express whats on your mind, you need not apply.

Compensation this position is : salaried Application instructions Deadlineno deadline