Overlook Chef

The City of Elk River is seeking a skilled, experienced Chef to lead professional food service operations at The Overlook in the Furniture and Things Community Event Center. This position demands high-quality service requiring leadership, coordination of operational needs, and expertise. Position oversees food and beverage prep, manages concessions, the Overlook lounge, and the catering services to ensure exceptional guest experiences at a busy community venue. Candidate should have a valid Minnesota driver’s license and good driving record; High school diploma or equivalent; Five years of food preparation work experience OR an associate degree in culinary or hospitality plus two years of food preparation work experience; Current Minnesota Certified Food Protection Manager credential or the ability to obtain it within the first 30 days of employment; and two years of supervisor experience. (Candidates who do not clearly demonstrate they meet the minimum qualifications on their resume will not be considered).

This is an exempt position with hours that vary and include weekends.

Preferred Qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in culinary or hospitality; experience in a fast-food or catering environment; and experience supervising, coaching, or mentoring young adults.

Starting salary is $72,668 on an annual basis. 2025 salary range is $72,668-$85,492. For a list of benefits, see the Employment page of the City of Elk River website at ElkRiverMN.gov.

Application Deadline: Interested candidates must complete and submit the online line application by Monday, May 5, 2025 at 11:59 pm.

If you require a particular accommodation with the application process, please contact Human Resources at 763.635.1000.
The City of Elk River is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

** Communication for this position will be through email. You will receive an email shortly after you complete your application.
If you do not receive this email, check your spam/junk folder. If the email is there, mark the email as Not Spam (or however this works with your provider) so that you can stay informed as we go through this hiring process. ** 

Click here for Important Facts about Information on your Employment Application 

Overlook Chef Position Description

Essential Functions

1. Performs management of food and beverage service.
   1. Oversees and provides food preparation and beverage service for café, lounge, and catering services for facility renters.
   2. Ensures all food is prepared properly and meets quality and safety standards.
   3. Ensures legal liquor sales.
   4. Maintains inventory and orders replacement supplies and ingredients as necessary.
   5. Creates profitable menus consistent with user groups expectations.
   6. Managing food costs, portion sizes, and waste to meet budget requirements. Analyzes food costs and adjusts menu pricing if necessary.
   7. Works closely with facility management team to align goals, preferences, and changes.
   8. Addresses any issues in areas of supervision including staff conflicts, equipment malfunctions, supply shortages, etc. Resolves problems quickly to ensure that service runs smoothly.
2. Performs supervision.
   1. Assigns duties, evaluates, and documents job performance of team members.
   2. Enforces city cash handling procedures and investigates money or inventory discrepancies.
   3. Trains and monitors team members on all aspects of their jobs such as:
      1. Food preparation, presentation, and portion sizes.
      2. Maintaining proper par inventory levels throughout shift.
      3. Safe kitchen equipment operation.
      4. Cleaning and maintenance of area.
      5. Legal alcohol sales.
      6. Point-of-sale operation.
3. Coordinates vendor relationships.
   1. Negotiates food procurement pricing and delivery.
   2. Establishes expectations for service needs at the location.
4. Ensures adherence to safeguards for employees and customers.
   1. Ensures all policies, procedures, and practices are followed, including alcohol service compliance, food handling/sanitation guidelines, and general safety policies and procedures.
   2. Maintains the kitchen, equipment, and surrounding areas to conditions that meet city standards and health code regulations.
   3. Facilitates team member food safety trainings.
   4. Maintains a clean and organized kitchen.
   5. Ensures proper storage and handling of food to avoid contamination.
5. Works any open shifts to ensure location is fully operational and city standards pertaining to speed of service and guest satisfaction are met.
6. Performs other essential job duties as directed.
   1. Regular and timely work attendance.
   2. Follows all safety procedures and participates in safety training.
   3. Sets up and takes down chairs, tables, etc., for meetings.
   4. Keeps supervisor informed of important developments to effectively maintain operations.
   5. Takes initiative to perform other duties or assume other responsibilities as time allows.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities/Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of basic food handling, sanitation, and customer service.
• Fluent knowledge with point of sale and scheduling software.
• Knowledge of the use and maintenance of a variety of kitchen equipment.
• Ability to effectively utilize Microsoft Office products, scheduling software, point of sale, and digital display technologies.
• Ability to communicate with employees, co-workers, volunteers, management staff, vendors, and guests in a clear, business-like, effective, and respectful manner.
• Ability to work as a team leader as well as take direction from supervisor.
• Ability to calculate basic math functions (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages) as they relate to POS transactions, cash reconciliation, and product inventory.
• Ability to work well in a team-oriented, fast-paced, event-driven environment.
• Ability to handle cash accurately and responsibly.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds.

Minimum Qualifications

• Valid Minnesota driver’s license and good driving record.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Five years of food preparation work experience OR an associate degree in culinary or hospitality plus two years of food preparation work experience.
• Current Minnesota Certified Food Protection Manager credential or ability to obtain within the first 30 days of employment.
• Two years of supervisor experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in culinary or hospitality.
• Experience in a fast-food or catering environment.
• Experience supervising, coaching, or mentoring young adults.
  
  

Physical Requirements

This Position Description is not intended to be all-inclusive.  It is within the City of Elk River’s discretion to assign additional duties and responsibilities or remove duties and responsibilities at any time.

This Position Description does not constitute a Contract of Employment.

Application Deadline
Interested candidates must complete and submit the online line application by Monday, May 5, 2025 at 11:59 pm.

Salary : $72,668 - $85,492