Director of Culinary Services bei Little Sunshine's Playhouse & Preschool

Description

Position Overview

The Director of Culinary Services is responsible for overseeing all aspects of food service across Little Sunshine’s Playhouse schools. This role ensures that menus are nutritionally balanced, USDA-compliant, safe, and aligned with LSP’s luxury/boutique brand experience. The Director of Culinary Services provides leadership in menu development, food safety, culinary training, and vendor partnerships while promoting consistency and excellence across all kitchens. The Director also directly oversees all school chefs, supporting their growth, accountability, hiring, and recognition. 

Vision

To provide children with meals and snacks that are not only nutritionally sound and cost-effective, but also reflect the high-quality, elevated experience that families expect from Little Sunshine’s Playhouse. This role will create systems that support chefs, safeguard children, and enhance the dining experience through family-style dining and thoughtful menu planning. 

Key Responsibilities

Culinary Program Leadership 

Develop and implement seasonal, rotational menus that are USDA-compliant, age-appropriate, and reflective of LSP’s brand (luxury, healthy, tree-nut free, and cost-conscious). 

Ensure menus accommodate special dietary needs, allergies, and cultural considerations. 

Maintain alignment between curriculum themes and mealtime experiences when possible, enhancing the holistic learning environment. 

Food Safety & Compliance 

Oversee compliance with all federal, state, and local food safety regulations. 

Develop SOPs for kitchen practices, including food storage, portion sizes, temperature logs, and allergen safety. 

Conduct regular audits of kitchens to ensure consistent quality and safety standards. 

Partner with leadership to ensure all food policies are strictly enforced to safeguard children and staff. 

Chef Oversight, Hiring & Training 

Provide direct supervision, coaching, and support for all school chefs. 

Assist in the hiring process for school-level chefs, ensuring candidates align with LSP’s culinary philosophy, food safety standards, and brand expectations. 

Design and deliver Culinary Training Week for chefs at new schools, ensuring consistency and continuity in kitchen operations. 

Provide ongoing professional development for chefs and kitchen staff, including training on family-style dining, food presentation, and child-friendly portioning. 

Create and distribute mini-operations manuals for each kitchen, outlining daily routines, food safety protocols, and service expectations. 

Recognize excellence by selecting and celebrating a Chef of the Month, highlighting individuals who embody LSP’s culinary standards and brand values. 

Menu & Program Development 

Develop default menu sets (rotational cycles) that schools can adopt and adapt as needed. 

Review and approve all menus to ensure they meet nutritional and brand standards. 

Create standardized recipe guides to accompany menus, ensuring consistent quality, portion control, and presentation across all schools. 

Partner with the Director of Curriculum and Learning to integrate food into the educational experience (e.g., cooking projects, food as provocations). 

Execute culinary planning for special events such as Thanksgiving Celebrations, LSP Birthday Bash, graduation ceremonies, and other signature school-wide occasions, ensuring food offerings reflect the luxury and celebratory spirit of the brand. 

Vendor & Cost Management 

Build and maintain relationships with food vendors to ensure quality, cost-effectiveness, and reliable delivery. 

Negotiate contracts and monitor vendor performance. 

Track food costs and implement systems to reduce waste while maintaining premium quality. 

Centralize ordering processes across schools, tying purchasing directly to standardized menus and recipe guides, to ensure cost control, efficiency, and brand consistency. 

Create and maintain a standardized ordering guide for kitchen equipment, tools, and initial food/supply stock for all new schools, ensuring every kitchen is fully prepared, consistent, and brand-aligned from day one. 

Family Experience & Brand Alignment 

Ensure mealtime presentation and service reflect the luxury, family-style dining approach of LSP. 

Collaborate with operations and marketing to highlight food services as part of the LSP brand experience. 

Gather and respond to family feedback on food services to continuously elevate satisfaction. 

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Requirements

Degree in Culinary Arts, Nutrition, Food Service Management, or related field preferred. 

5+ years of leadership experience in culinary management, preferably in childcare, school, healthcare, or hospitality settings. 

Strong knowledge of USDA child nutrition guidelines and food safety standards. 

Proven experience in menu development, cost control, and vendor management. 

Experience in training, mentoring, and hiring culinary staff across multiple locations. 

Excellent organizational, leadership, and communication skills.