Head Chef

If you need assistance with the application process please contact the Office of Human Resources at or or visit the Human Resources Home Page.

Position Details

Why Concordia Language Villages

At Concordia Language Villages a program of Concordia College your work contributes to something bigger. Every role plays a part in creating immersive experiences that inspire curiosity build connections across cultures and prepare people to engage thoughtfully with the world. Here youll join a collaborative community where your contributions are valued and your work can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our participants.

About the Role

As a Head Chef with Concordia Language Villages in Bemidji Minnesota youll help bring cultures to life through food. Working alongside the Culinary Arts team and Village leadership youll lead the preparation of high-quality culturally authentic meals while coordinating kitchen operations developing menus and guiding culinary staff.

This year-round full-time position offers an opportunity to combine hands-on cooking with culinary leadership in a collaborative mission-driven environment where food is an essential part of the language and cultural learning experience.

What Youll Do

• Lead and participate in the preparation cooking and service of culturally authentic meals for Village programs special events and other assigned activities.
• Research develop and maintain menus and recipes in collaboration with Village leadership and language communities ensuring that culinary experiences support cultural immersion and educational goals.
• Direct daily food production coordinating preparation schedules kitchen workflows and meal service to maintain high standards for food quality consistency presentation and timeliness.
• Supervise coach and provide work direction to Lead Cooks Assistant Cooks seasonal and part-time culinary staff and volunteers.
• Support staff recruitment onboarding scheduling training and professional development while promoting teamwork accountability and a positive workplace culture.
• Oversee food preparation for participants with dietary restrictions and allergies ensuring adherence to food safety sanitation and cross-contact prevention procedures.
• Manage food inventory purchasing storage and ordering while monitoring costs reducing waste and supporting established budget goals.
• Maintain safe clean and organized kitchens equipment and food service spaces in compliance with Minnesota Food Code and workplace safety requirements.
• Maintain production inventory food safety and operational records; communicate staffing supply and program needs with department leadership.
• Identify opportunities to improve culinary operations support sustainability initiatives and contribute to special events and other program needs.

Youll Thrive Here if You:

• Take pride in creating exceptional food and appreciate how culturally authentic cuisine can enrich learning and bring people together.
• Enjoy leading by example developing culinary talent and helping others grow in their skills and confidence.
• Can balance hands-on cooking with planning coordination and the day-to-day demands of a busy kitchen.
• Are organized resourceful and comfortable making decisions and adapting to changing operational needs.
• Value collaboration cultural authenticity continuous improvement and contributing to a meaningful educational mission.

Qualifications

What Were Looking For

Were looking for an experienced culinary professional who combines strong cooking skills with practical kitchen leadership. The ideal candidate enjoys developing culturally authentic menus coordinating high-volume food production and supporting a collaborative team while maintaining high standards for food quality safety and service.

Required Education & Experience

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Progressively responsible professional food service experience involving food production and kitchen operations in a commercial institutional or similar environment.
• Experience with quantity cooking institutional food production or high-volume food service.
• Prior experience supervising training and providing work direction to staff in a food service environment.
• Experience with production planning inventory management and ordering food and supplies.
• Availability to work a varied schedule including early mornings evenings weekends and holidays based on program needs.
• ServSafe certification or a comparable food safety course certificate or the ability to pass the ServSafe exam within the first 12 months of employment.

Preferred Education & Experience

• Experience with menu development and recipe management.
• Degree or formal training in culinary arts food service management or a related field.
• Experience working in camp conference collegiate dining hospitality institutional food service or similar environments.
• Experience with culturally diverse or international cuisines.

Required Skills and Abilities

Candidates must be able to demonstrate the following:

• Strong leadership supervisory coaching and team-development skills.
• Ability to plan organize and coordinate multiple priorities while maintaining efficient kitchen operations.
• Knowledge of food production sanitation inventory control and kitchen operations.
• Ability to develop implement and maintain menus and recipes.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to perform calculations related to food production inventory portions quantities and recipe scaling.
• Effective verbal written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work respectfully and effectively with people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively while providing training guidance and support to fellow team members.
• Commitment to cultural authenticity participant experience continuous improvement and high-quality culinary operations.

Benefits and Salary

Concordia College is proud to offer a competitive total compensation package:

• Health Insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Account
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Preventative Chiropractic Program
• Retirement Plan
• Long-Term Disability Insurance (full-time only)
• Life Insurance (full-time only)
• 13 Paid holidays including the time off between Christmas and New Years
• MN Paid Family and Medical Leave
• Up to 100% tuition with discounts and scholarships for yourself and dependents at Concordia College and Concordia Language Villages
• Up to 50% tuition discount for dependents with Oak Grove Lutheran Schools
• Up to 100% tuition discounts for dependents with participating partners: CIC-TEP ELCA schools and Tuition Exchange Inc.
• Extras: access to athletic facilities library fitness classes athletic events theatre events purchase dining on campus free MATbus rides

Salary: 18.85 - 20.72 USD Hourly Wage

The final salary will be determined based on factors such as education experience skills certifications and alignment with the positions requirements. Other considerations may include internal equity and market conditions.

What to Submit with Your Application

Required Documents:

• None

Optional Documents:

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter
• List of References: Contact information for at least three professional references (name title organization email and phone number)
• Licensure
• Certification
• Training
• Other

Additional Application Details

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Employment Contingencies:

Successful completion of a criminal background check

Nondiscrimination Statement

Concordia College does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race color creed sex religion national origin age veteran status disability genetic information sexual orientation gender identity marital status familial status public assistance status membership or activity in a local human rights commission or any other legally protected status. The College is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment and fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for all. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.

Inquiries regarding this policy may be directed to the Office of Human Resources Concordia College 901 8th Street South Moorhead MN 56562 .

Required Experience:

IC