NACE Career Center

Catering Chef, Cornell Catering & Concessions

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

Student and Campus Life (SCL) inspires transformation in all Cornell students on their journey of individual, academic and personal evolution. Our division is comprised of leading student affairs experts who support our campus on pressing student life matters including public service, health, wellness, social justice, residential living, food services, sports, recreation, career services, and student activities and organizations including sorority and fraternity life. We provide support and services to roughly 25,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students on multiple campuses in the U.S. and abroad.

As a division of Cornell Dining, Cornell Catering is the preferred catering service for Cornell University events and is uniquely qualified to serve the entire Cornell community and beyond. We are proud to work for Cornell and place a strong emphasis on Cornell Pride; our focus on students is one of the many concepts that differentiate Cornell Catering from other caterers. With its team of experienced professional staff, Cornell Catering is a full-service caterer that provides incredible food and beverages to guests at formal banquets for thousands, elegant weddings for hundreds, or intimate dinners for a few. Over the past thirty-five years, Cornell Catering has worked with clients to create customized events that meet specific objectives and budgets.

Position Impact:

The Catering Chef works in direct support of the Director of Catering and Concessions overseeing culinary operations for the Cornell Catering team. This role is charged with developing and implementing unique world-class catering menus and customer experiences for over 2,000 events annually. The Chef will work closely with the sales, events, and operations teams in the design, transport, and execution of events. In addition they will provide regular oversight of menu planning, food service quality control, recipe adherence, product ordering, and inventory levels to ensure a strong financial contribution and efficiency to the operating budget. Additionally, this role will be responsible for inspiring the culinary creativity within their teams and includes regular staff supervision and training and development to meet individual and team performance measures.

Success Factors:

A successful Chef, will
* Monitor and evaluate the units financial environment and other business indicators from a culinary perspective to implement and improve operational efficiencies and profitability
* Establish a pattern of management to monitor, and ensure, food safety, food quality, and customer service standards as well as ensure a safe & welcoming environment for our staff.
* Develop and maintain strong and lasting relationship with our community partners, guest, clients and other work groups to advance organizational goals and outreach initiatives including attending culinary competitions and key food service industry conferences.
* Demonstrate culinary excellence and creativity in their menu selection and ingredient adjustments to ensure great tasting, high-quality, and cost effective meal options including a variety of standard, specialty, and seasonal menus for the sales team to utilize in planning events
* Be actively involved with all staff and continually look to motivate, develop and manage performance through regular hands-on training and daily feedback and coaching.
* Ensure Dining, University and state/federal laws, policies and procedures are implemented and maintained in a positive and consistent manner.

Required Qualifications:

At least two year of formal culinary training, two years of college coursework, and/or relevant Associate's degree and at least 3 years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
Highly Effective oral and written communication skills
Technical/computer skills, including experience with MS Word office productivity tools.
Knowledge of food and health codes is required
*Must be able to successfully complete Cornell Dining's Chef-level practical exam and cooking demonstration, which is proctored by the Director of Culinary Operations and includes a series of culinary and managerial skills assessments designed to evaluate potential effectiveness in the role.
*Position requires a varied work schedule, including availability on nights and weekends as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

Additional professional or educational experience or culinary certification is advantageous. Previous experience in a collegiate setting (including managing cost controls, menu planning, and working with a food service management system) and/or prior experience supervising staff is highly preferred.
Familiarity managing in a collective bargaining/union environment and/or working with students is also beneficial.

No relocation assistance is provided for this position. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This position is located in Ithaca, New York. The successful applicant will be expected to work on campus.

University Job Title:

Chef II

Job Family:

Auxiliary Services

Level:

F

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$62,117.00 - $72,189.00

Remote Option Availability:

Fully Onsite

Company:

Endowed

Contact Name:

Caleb Yu

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)

Union Positions

Current Employees:

Online Submission Guidelines:

Employment Assistance:

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also visit the office of Workforce Recruitment and Retention Monday - Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. to use a dedicated workstation to complete an online application.

Notice to Applicants:

EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations. Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose, and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.

2023-03-01