EXECUTIVE CHEF

One City Schools | Madison, Wisconsin Full-Time Position | 40+ Hours per Week Posted: May 2026

ELEVATE CULINARY EXCELLENCE AND STUDENT NUTRITION

Ready to transform school dining and drive healthy outcomes for over 500 students and staff daily? One City Schools seeks an experienced, energetic, and detail-oriented Executive Chef to lead our kitchen team in preparing high-quality meals without preservatives or canned goods. Join our innovative team where culinary excellence meets educational mission, creating nutritious dining experiences that fuel student success and support our community partnerships.

POSITION OVERVIEW

As our Executive Chef, you'll supervise and lead our kitchen team in preparing and serving three meals daily to children and staff while maintaining full compliance with USDA School Nutrition Program requirements. Working within our acclaimed educational framework, you'll ensure all meals represent our "Healthy Meals Program" standards, manage large-scale food operations, and create positive dining experiences that support our mission of educational transformation.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Lead Culinary Operations Excellence:

• Prepare and cook to order foods for three meals per day (breakfast, lunch and snack) for over 400 students
• Ensure all meals truly represent our "Healthy Meals Program" without use of canned goods or preservatives
• Operate variety of kitchen equipment to measure, mix ingredients, wash, peel, cut and shred fruits and vegetables
• Trim and cut meat, poultry or fish for culinary use following basic recipes and product directions
• Taste products, read menus, estimate food requirements, and check production to accurately plan requirements

Drive Nutrition Program Compliance:

• Attend all required trainings and implement requirements of USDA School Nutrition Program
• Ensure full compliance with National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program and Afterschool Snack Program
• Record meals and snacks in manner consistent with USDA School Nutrition Program requirements
• Create and post monthly menu complying with all meal pattern requirements including protein and carbs information
• Schedule responsibility for ensuring successful USDA School Nutrition Program and food safety inspections and audits
• Update One City's Food Safety Plan annually with help of Dane County Public Health Nutrition team

Foster Kitchen Leadership and Operations:

• Create and place large-scale food procurement orders at least twice per week within assigned budget
• Engage in long-term strategic planning related to needs and direction of kitchen operations
• Track, schedule and oversee equipment repairs in kitchen as necessary
• Receive orders/inventory, and move and lift food and supplies including heavy items up to 50 pounds
• Maintain a clean and professional appearance at all times, setting the standard for the entire kitchen team
• Ensure kitchen and work environment are kept clean, orderly, and well-maintained to the highest standards
• Properly follow procedures for disposing of kitchen waste materials and maintain spotless work areas
• Follow proper dishwashing procedures, including pots and pans, and maintain detailed logs
• Develop and implement kitchen work plans and conduct employee performance reviews of kitchen staff
• Lead kitchen team with patience, dignity and respect at all times

Drive Service Excellence and Community Connection:

• Provide highest quality of service to One City's school community and guests at all times
• Build positive culture and relationships with kitchen team and school community
• Follow posted mealtime schedules and work with school leaders to problem solve conflicts
• Understand basic dining and classroom dining set-up and deliver and clear food and materials accordingly
• Support and assist with special school events as needed

WHAT YOU BRING

Essential Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required (Associate's degree preferred)
• Minimum 5 years of cooking and meal preparation experience in large-scale commercial kitchen production setting
• Experience in schools, daycares or senior living environments preferred
• Strong commitment to mission, vision, goals and objectives of One City Schools
• Experience working with young children from diverse racial/cultural populations and their families

Leadership Qualities:

• Excellent judgment, communication and creative problem-solving skills
• Ability to proactively engage in difficult conversations leading to productive outcomes
• Energetic, flexible, collaborative and proactive approach
• Self-reflective and open-minded with willingness to change and try new strategies
• Growth mindset and commitment to teamwork and collaboration
• Models One City's Habits of Character: compassion, risk, integrity, self-respect, and persistence

Physical Requirements:

• Close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus
• Ability to work in standing position for long periods (up to 8 hours)
• Ability to reach, bend, stoop, push and/or pull throughout the workday
• Frequently lift up to 35 pounds and regularly lift/move up to 50 pounds of food, supplies, and equipment
• Physical capability to handle demanding kitchen operations including moving heavy inventory and equipment
• Completion of background check required

EXCEPTIONAL BENEFITS & COMPENSATION

Comprehensive Package:

• Competitive salary based on education and experience within local market rates

• Full-time position with comprehensive benefits package

• 18 PTO days plus holidays, spring break, and winter break

• Comprehensive health benefits

• Life insurance and long-term disability

• Employee assistance program

• Automatic admission for your age-eligible child to One City Schools

• Training in USDA School Nutrition Program requirements and food safety protocols

• Investment in professional growth and development opportunities

• 401K with employer match of 5.9%

• Voluntary benefits (Supplemental Life, Accident, Short Term Disability, Vision, Dental, etc.)

ABOUT ONE CITY SCHOOLS

Our Mission: To seed a new model of public education that ensures young children are on track to succeed in a college or career preparatory program from birth through high school graduation.

Our Impact:

• Both schools "Exceeded Expectations" in academic growth on 2024 state report cards
• Elementary: performed at or above 87% of Wisconsin public elementary schools
• Middle School: performed at or above 94% of Wisconsin public middle schools
• 94% of preschoolers test kindergarten-ready

Why One City? We are more than a school system, we're educational innovators influencing policy, curriculum, and teaching practices across Wisconsin and beyond. From pioneering pandemic safety protocols to leading a $2.6 billion increase in education funding advocacy, One City is shaping the future of public education while ensuring every meal we serve supports student success and wellbeing.

Ready to make an impact? Join our mission to transform education and nourish our community.

One City Schools is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment where all team members and applicants are treated with respect and dignity.

Application Deadline: Position remains open until filled - we're committed to finding the perfect fit for our schools