Executive Chef - Indianapolis Zoo

Job Description

Aramark is currently seeking an Executive Chef to lead culinary operations at the Indianapolis Zoo! The Executive Chef is a management position overseeing chef managers as well as hourly culinary staff, responsible for developing and executing culinary solutions to meet customer needs and tastes. Offers a wide variety of culinary solutions to meet customer and client needs and tastes. Oversees and manages culinary operations to meet production, presentation, and service standards. Applies culinary techniques to food preparation and manages the final presentation and service of food. 

Culinary Excellence 

Calling all culinary innovators! Join Aramark, the largest U.S.-based food service provider and one of Forbes' Best Employers for 2024. As part of our commitment to culinary excellence, we offer unparalleled opportunities for professional growth and recognition. Our chefs have the chance to participate in the prestigious ProChef certification program at The Culinary Institute of America, with nearly 300 Aramark chefs already certified. You could also showcase your skills in our exciting Aramark Culinary Excellence (ACE) competition, where top chefs battle it out preparing four-course menus for ACF Master Chefs.  

At Aramark, we value passion and dedication to craft, offering you the chance to create innovative menus across the United States. We believe our chefs are the driving force behind our culinary culture, shaping the way we inspire through food. With our focus on employee retention and development, you'll find opportunities to grow, advance, and make a lasting impact in the culinary world. Join us and feed your potential in a company that truly values its chefs! 

We take a balanced approach to benefits. 

We designed our benefits to promote a culture of health and wellbeing. No one knows what you need better than you, so we provide you with the necessary tools to help you take care of your health, family, finances and future.  Click HERE to learn more. 

Job Responsibilities

• Ensures culinary production appropriately connects to the Executional Framework 
• Ensures proper culinary standards and techniques are in place for preparation of food items, including production, presentation, and service standards 
• Manages a culinary team, including chef managers and hourly staff, to ensure quality in final presentation of food 
• Train and manage culinary and kitchen employees to use best practice food production techniques 
• Coach employees by creating a shared understanding about what needs to be achieved and how it is to be achieved 
• Reward and recognize employees 
• Plan and execute team meetings and daily huddles 
• Complete and maintain all staff records including training records, shift opening/closing checklists and performance data 
• Develop and maintain effective client and guest rapport for mutually beneficial business relationships 
• Interact directly with guests daily 
• Aggregate and communicate regional culinary and ingredient trends 
• Responsible for delivering food and labor targets 
• Consistent focus on margin improvement; understanding performance metrics, data, order, and inventory trends 
• Ensure efficient execution and delivery of all culinary products in line with the daily menu 
• Maintain integrity of the standard Aramark food offer; responsible for always maintaining food quality and safety of items 
• Full compliance with Operational Excellence fundamentals: managing waste, standard menus, recipes and ingredients through managing customer driven menus and labor standards 
• Understand end to end supply chain and procurement process and systems, ensuring only authorized suppliers are used 
• Full knowledge and implementation of the Food Framework 
• Ensure accuracy of estimated food consumption for appropriate requisitions and/or food purchase 
• Ensure proper equipment operation and maintenance 
• Ensure compliance with Aramark SAFE food and Quality Assurance standards, occupational and environmental safety policies in all culinary and kitchen operations 
• Comply with all applicable policies, rules and regulations, including but not limited to those relating to safety, health, wage and hour 

At Aramark, developing new skills and doing what it takes to get the job done make a positive impact for our employees and for our customers. In order to meet our commitments, job duties may change or new ones may be assigned without formal notice.   

#FS-300

Qualifications

• Requires at least 4 years of culinary experience 

• At least 2 years in a management role preferred  

• Requires a culinary degree or equivalent experience 

• Ability to multi-task 

• Ability to simplify the agenda for the team 

• Requires advanced knowledge of the principles and practices within the food profession. 

• This includes experiential knowledge required for management of people and/or problems.  

• Requires oral, reading, and written communication skills 

About Aramark

Our Mission

Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet.

At Aramark, we believe that every employee should enjoy equal employment opportunity and be free to participate in all aspects of the company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by applicable law.

About Aramark

The people of Aramark proudly serve millions of guests every day through food and facilities in 15 countries around the world. Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet. We believe a career should develop your talents, fuel your passions, and empower your professional growth. So, no matter what you're pursuing - a new challenge, a sense of belonging, or just a great place to work - our focus is helping you reach your full potential. Learn more about working here at http://www.aramarkcareers.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.