Executive Performance Chef - University of Tennessee Athletics

Executive Performance Chef - University of Tennessee Athletics

The Executive Performance Chef is responsible for planning, preparing, and executing innovative nutritionally optimized meals for University of Tennessee Athletics. This position ensures that all meals align with the team's dietary needs, performance goals, and individual player preferences while maintaining the highest standards of innovation, food safety, and quality.

Compensation: The salary range for this position is $90,000 to $110,000.

Benefits: Aramark offers comprehensive benefit programs and services for eligible employees including medical, dental, vision, and work/life resources. Additional benefits may include retirement savings plans like 401(k) and paid days off such as parental leave and disability coverage. Benefits vary by location and are subject to any legal requirements or limitations, employee eligibility status, and where the employee lives and/or works.

Job Responsibilities

• Meal Planning & Nutrition: Work closely with the team nutritionist to develop meal plans tailored to players' performance, recovery, and dietary needs. Ensure meals support game-day and practice-day energy needs, muscle recovery, and hydration strategies.
• Food Preparation & Execution: Prepare daily meals and snacks for training, game, and pre-travel days. Maintain consistency, quality, and presentation of meals in line with professional culinary standards and performance nutrition guide.
• Special Diets & Customization: Adapt meals for players with food allergies, preferences, or special dietary requirements (e.g., gluten-free, dairy-free, keto, high-protein). Demonstrate a thorough understanding of food allergens and dietary restrictions, ensuring accurate menu planning, ingredient selection, and allergen labeling to promote the safety and well-being of all athletes.
• Food Safety & Sanitation: Ensure compliance with HACCP guidelines, food handling safety, and sanitation standards. Maintain a clean and organized kitchen, overseeing inventory and food storage.
• Collaboration & Communication: Manage, recruit, and work with team chefs, catering partners, and performance staff to coordinate meals. Communicate and interact with players and staff regarding meal preferences and feedback and overall expectations of meal service.

Qualifications

• Preferred previous experience as a private chef for athletes or working in professional or collegiate athletics, high-end catering, or health-focused kitchens.
• Experience in sports nutrition or performance-based cooking (e.g., working with athletes, sports teams, or high-end catering).
• Knowledge of dietary needs for elite athletes, including macronutrients, hydration, and recovery foods.
• Understanding supplements and supplement strategies as set forth by the team dietician, optimal recovery foods, and hydration strategies.
• Experience with bulk meal prep and serving large groups efficiently.
• Culinary degree or equivalent experience (3-5 years) in professional kitchens.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings (game days), and weekends.
• Strong food safety knowledge (ServSafe certification preferred).
• Excellent time management, organization, communication skills and ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.