Company description

Step into our 1920s-style speakeasy jazz restaurant and discover more than just incredible food. As a faith-based, violence prevention program, Old Skool Cafe empowers at-risk, formerly incarcerated, and foster care youth (ages 16–22) through job training, employment, and a supportive community. Our youth-run supper club serves soulful, global comfort food inspired by the rich cultural heritage of our young chefs—from West Africa to the American South. Here, every dish tells a story of resilience, transformation, and hope.

Job description

Position Overview
The Head Chef & Training Lead is responsible for leading Old Skool Cafe's kitchen as both a high-performing culinary operation and a structured training environment for youth development. This is a dual-mandate role: you do not choose between running a professional kitchen and teaching youth. You do both, simultaneously, at the highest level.

This role is designed for a leader who is strong in either culinary excellence or training leadership and is ready to grow into full dual-mandate mastery through support, structure, and partnership with OSC leadership.

You will lead a "live culinary classroom" where every shift, every plate, and every interaction serves as a teaching moment. The Head Chef & Training Lead models professional excellence, mentors youth in real time, drives menu innovation, ensures operational and financial performance, and builds BoH systems that allow youth to learn by doing in a high-stakes environment.

Compensation

this position is: salaried, $75,000 - $100,000

Application instructions

Deadline

February 28, 2026