Chef, Food Program

Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)
Job Summary

The University of Utah Metabolic Kitchen is seeking a skilled and passionate Chef to join its dynamic team. The Metabolic Kitchen is dedicated to supporting researchers in nutrition science, disease management, and related fields by providing precision nutrition through expert culinary services and resources. As a Chef in the Metabolic Kitchen, you will play a crucial role in meal production, procurement, and distribution, ensuring the highest standards of food quality and safety.
Candidates with less than 5 years of experience will be considered.

Production:
Participate in the preparation and cooking of meals in the professional kitchen, ensuring all dishes meet specified nutrition and quality standards.
Procurement:
Participate in the sourcing and purchasing of ingredients, as advised by the culinary operations manager.
Distribution:
Assist in the delivery of meals to research study participants, ensuring timely and accurate service according to visit dates and study protocols.
Secondary Responsibilities:
Data Entry:
Accurately input data related to food procurement, inventory management, and meal production for record-keeping and analysis purposes.
Menu Development:
Collaborate with registered dietitian and culinary operations manager to create customized menus and recipes that align with the nutritional needs of research study participants.
Recipe Testing:
Conduct testing of new recipes to ensure taste, nutritional adequacy, and adherence to established protocols.

Associate’s degree in food service, hotel/restaurant management or a related field, or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience); five years of chef experience with two of these years in a progressively more responsible supervisory position in a large volume food service operation required. Current food service worker permit, and demonstrated human relation, effective communication, and computer literacy skills also required.
Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

• Culinary degree or equivalent professional experience in a commercial kitchen setting.
• Expertise in food safety regulations and best practices for food preparation, handling, and distribution.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with a team.
• Experience working with dietary analysis software or similar tools.
• Knowledge of nutrition principles and dietary needs related to health and disease management.
• Background in clinical nutrition or experience collaborating with healthcare professionals in a research context.

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”).

Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work).

Contact Human Resources at  for information.

Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions.

Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at  or  or University Human Resource Management at  if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law.

Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race,…