EXECUTIVE CHEF -Fort Lewis College- Durango, CO - Compass Group, North America

Fresh Ideas







Salary: $80,000-88,000





Fresh Ideas Management is a dynamic food service management company that believes good food is a powerful thing. Food brings people together and food creates memories.





Fresh Ideas encourages creativity by creating fun working environments for our teams ! Our diverse teams enjoy a workplace where creativity, openness and innovation flow free and new, Fresh Ideas are encouraged. Our team-members are excited about creating delicious, unique and engaging dining experiences for our guests.





Fresh Ideas offers a full benefits package, flexible schedules that respect one of our core values, work life balance, and ongoing training and development opportunities. This, along with our rapid growth, means accelerated promotion opportunities for every motivated Fresh Ideas team member!







Job Summary



As the CAMPUS EXECUTIVE CHEF with FRESH IDEAS on the beautiful campus of Fort Lewis College, you will play a vital role in creating a welcoming and nourishing environment for students, faculty, and staff. Your responsibilities will encompass overseeing all aspects of residential food service operations while elevating the campus dining experience. You will be responsible for overseeing kitchen operations while maintaining a safe and sanitary work environment for the staff. You will prepare or direct the preparation of meals in accordance with corporate programs and guidelines. This is an exciting opportunity for an energetic, entrepreneurial Culinary professional.





Durango offers a fulfilling lifestyle for those who love nature, outdoor sports, and living in a tight-knit, active community. It has the charm of a small mountain town with enough cultural and recreational activities to keep residents engaged year-round. Fort Lewis College is known for its combination of academic rigor, outdoor lifestyle, and commitment to Native American heritage. It's a popular choice for students seeking a well-rounded education in a beautiful mountain setting. Durango is known for its stunning natural surroundings, including the San Juan Mountains and the Animas River, which flows through the town. Living in Durango, Colorado, offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure, small-town charm, and cultural richness. Nestled in the San Juan Mountains, Durango is known for its scenic beauty, strong sense of community, and vibrant outdoor lifestyle.





Key Responsibilities:



+ Plans regular and modified menus according to established guidelines


+ Follows standardized recipes, portioning and presentation standards. Completes and utilizes daily production worksheets and waste log sheets. Tastes completed meals to ensure quality


+ Trains kitchen staff in food preparation, safe handling, operation of equipment, food safety and sanitation based on Company and regulatory standards


+ Establishes and maintains cleaning and maintenance schedules for equipment, storage and work areas. Ensures that kitchen staff follows and completes schedules as assigned


+ Maintains inventory of food and non-food supplies to stay within established guidelines while assuring that necessary product is available when needed


+ Makes all decisions regarding utilization of leftover food products staying within Company guidelines for such products


+ Complies with federal, state and local health and sanitation regulations and department sanitation procedures as evidenced through local health department and third-party audits


+ Follows facility, department, and Company safety policies and procedures to include occurrence reporting


+ Participates and attends departmental meetings, staff development, and professional programs, as appropriate



Preferred Qualifications:



+ A.S. or equivalent experience


+ 5+ years of progressive culinary/kitchen management experience, depending upon formal degree or training


+ Extensive catering experience a plus


+ High volume, complex foodservice operations experience - highly desirable


+ Institutional and batch cooking experiences


+ Hands-on chef experience a must


+ Comprehensive knowledge of food and catering trends with a focus on quality, production, sanitation, food cost controls, and presentation


+ Must be experienced with computers; to include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Power Point), Outlook, E-mail and the Internet


+ Must be willing to participate in client satisfaction programs/activities


+ ServSafe certified - highly desirable






About Compass Group: Achieving leadership in the foodservice industry


Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.





Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.


Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.


Associates at Fresh Ideas are offered many fantastic benefits.



+ Medical


+ Dental


+ Vision


+ Life Insurance/ AD


+ Disability Insurance


+ Retirement Plan


+ Paid Time Off


+ Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)


+ Associate Shopping Program


+ Health and Wellness Programs


+ Discount Marketplace


+ Identity Theft Protection


+ Pet Insurance


+ Commuter Benefits


+ Employee Assistance Program


+ Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)



Fresh Ideas maintains a drug-free workplace.