Sous Chef - Hawaii Preparatory Academy

Sous Chef Position at Hawai?i Preparatory Academy

Flik Independent School Dining has been leading the way in transforming private and independent school foodservice across 300 communities for over four decades. Our passionate team of associates is fully committed to delivering exceptional foodservice experiences every single time. Our meals are crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, supporting sustainable agricultural practices that benefit our communities. But we don't stop at just foodservice we take it to the next level by offering cutting-edge nutrition education programs that empower students to make smart, healthy choices daily. By combining nutritious meals with comprehensive education, we equip students with the essential tools they need to lead a healthy and thriving life. We believe in nourishing the whole person, creating community through great food and programming, and doing what's right, every time.

We are Nourishing a Brighter Future.

Job Summary

As a Sous Chef at Hawai?i Preparatory Academy (HPA), an independent, coeducational day and boarding school in Waimea, Hawai?i, serving approximately 570 students in Kindergarten through Grade 12, you will play a key leadership role in supporting a dynamic school dining program. Reporting to the Executive Chef, you will assist with daily food production, menu development, catering execution, inventory management, and the supervision of hourly kitchen associates. This is an exciting opportunity for an upbeat and motivated culinary professional with a passion for scratch cooking, creativity, and excellence in food quality and presentation. You'll have the opportunity to help deliver exceptional dining experiences for both day and boarding students while contributing to a vibrant campus community dedicated to student success.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist the Executive Chef in daily kitchen operations, including food preparation, production, and supervision of back-of-house staff.
• Support cost control initiatives by assisting with inventory management, ordering, and minimizing food waste.
• Help plan, develop, and implement menus that align with company culinary standards, student preferences, and nutritional guidelines.
• Lead or support the preparation and execution of catered events, ensuring high-quality food, presentation, and service.
• Implement and support new culinary programs and initiatives in collaboration with the Executive Chef and corporate culinary team.
• Ensure all food safety and sanitation guidelines are rigorously followed, including compliance with HACCP and allergy protocols.
• Maintain high standards for food quality, cleanliness, and organization in all kitchen areas.
• Participate in training and mentoring hourly culinary staff to support skill development and team culture.
• Champion a safe, inclusive, and collaborative kitchen environment that reflects the values of the school community and company.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate degree in Culinary Arts or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years of dynamic culinary or kitchen management experience in high-volume foodservice operations; K12, institutional, or contract dining preferred.
• Strong catering experience and ability to lead special events.
• Knowledge of scratch cooking, batch production, and food cost controls.
• Confirmed understanding of food trends, seasonal ingredients, and sustainable practices.
• ServSafe Certification highly preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Outlook, and internet-based tools.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with a strong sense of ownership and collaboration.
• Dedication to customer happiness and a passion for crafting delicious, nutritious meals for students and school communities.

Associates at Flik Independent School Dining are offered many fantastic benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, holiday time off, associate shopping program, health and wellness programs, discount marketplace, identity theft protection, pet insurance, commuter benefits, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, paid parental leave, and personal leave.

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.