Head Chef / Manager
Dominican House of Studies
Catholic Seminary
487 Michigan Ave NE
Washington, DC 20017
The Dominican House of Studies, a Catholic seminary of the Order of Friars Preachers (Dominican friars), seeks an experienced and mission-aligned Head Chef to oversee all culinary operations for a residential community of approximately 65 seminarians, faculty, and guests. The Head Chef plays a vital role in the preparation of food, supervising the kitchen staff, and ensuring a clean, hospitable, and orderly environment that supports the intellectual and spiritual life of the house. The seminary provides meals for its residents five days a week, three times a day, as well as Sunday (one large brunch meal at midday) and Saturday (lunch and dinner).
Responsibilities
- Plan, prepare, and execute daily meals that are nutritious, well-balanced, and of consistently high quality
- Supervise, train, and schedule kitchen staff to ensure an efficient and professional kitchen culture
- Manage food ordering, inventory control, and vendor relationships with attention to quality, timely delivery, and cost stewardship
- Oversee all aspects of kitchen management, including cleanliness, safety, and compliance with health regulations
- Maintain kitchen equipment and coordinate maintenance as needed
- Collaborate with seminary administration to support special events, feast days, and guest hospitality
- Develop menus that respect liturgical seasons, fasting and feast days, and dietary needs
Qualifications
- Proven experience as a head chef or in a comparable culinary leadership role with demonstrated excellence in preparing meals
- Strong organizational and managerial skills, with experience supervising and motivating staff and hiring/replacing staff as needed (in tandem with seminary administration)
- Knowledge of food safety standards and kitchen best practices
- Ability to plan menus and manage inventory within a set budget
- Strong communication skills as well as respect for and comfort working within a Catholic religious community
- Flexibility to accommodate the rhythms of seminary life, including special liturgical occasions
- Ability to work flexible hours, including at least some weekend hours
Preferred Qualifications
- Several years of experience cooking for institutional or residential communities (seminaries, nursing homes, schools, or similar)
- Formal culinary training or equivalent professional experience
- Familiarity with seasonal, from-scratch cooking
- Managerial experience within the food service industry and knowledge of budget management
- Ability to evaluate and advise seminary administration on staff performance and to help build, develop, and retain a strong kitchen team
Compensation and Benefits
Salary and benefits are commensurate with experience and qualifications. The position offers the opportunity to work in a stable, mission-driven environment with a regular residential community.
To Apply
Interested candidates should submit a resume and brief cover letter outlining relevant experience and interest in the position along with salary requirements.
