Director of Culinary Innovation- Chicagoland Area

School Culinary Innovation Specialist – Ignite Creativity, Culture & Culinary Excellence!

Do you dream of designing menus that students get excited about? Are you a seasoned culinary professional with a flair for training, innovation, and leadership? Join Whitsons as a School Culinary Innovation Specialist, where you’ll drive forward-thinking, flavor-forward meals that fuel the next generation—and coach a team to culinary excellence across multiple schools.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead the creation, costing, and presentation of new and existing menu items that reflect student preferences and nutritional standards
• Train and support chef managers, cooks, and culinary staff on recipe execution, food safety, and Whitsons/USDA/State compliance
• Oversee culinary execution at school sites; mentor teams to maintain high standards of sanitation, presentation, and efficiency
• Drive innovation through seasonal tastings, trend-forward menu items, and exciting student promotions (Guest Chef Days, Catering Events, etc.)
• Partner with purchasing and operations teams to ensure proper portioning, ordering, and cost controls
• Ensure recipe adherence and station consistency through coaching and kitchen visits
• Support new kitchen manager openings and contribute to the onboarding of culinary leadership
• Log visits, insights, and performance updates in Salesforce to ensure visibility and follow-through
• Lead and coach culinary support and presentation teams
• Reinforce kitchen sanitation, HACCP documentation, and compliance protocols across locations
• Bring creative flair and cultural versatility to menu design—think sushi, ancient grains, vegan/vegetarian offerings, and more

What We’re Looking For:

• Culinary degree or certification from an accredited culinary program
• 5+ years of experience in a professional kitchen, preferably in school nutrition or corporate dining
• 2+ years of leadership experience in managing kitchen teams
• Strong understanding of USDA, State, and NSLP meal program standards
• ServSafe certification (required)
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; comfortable with digital tools for reporting and communication
• Ability to train and lead with positivity, professionalism, and culinary excellence
• Comfortable with hands-on coaching, exhibition cooking, and high-energy kitchen environments
• Creative thinker who keeps up with food trends and brings fresh ideas to the table
• Must be willing to travel across multiple school sites; reliable transportation required

Why Join Whitsons?

• Competitive pay and performance-based growth opportunities
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid Time Off and school-aligned schedule
• High-impact, mission-driven role shaping healthy habits for life
• Culture of wellness, teamwork, and continuous innovation

At Whitsons, we don’t just serve meals—we create experiences that nourish bodies and inspire minds. As our School Culinary Innovation Specialist, you’ll help drive creativity, compliance, and consistency in school kitchens across the district.

Ready to inspire, lead, and innovate? Apply today and Be part of a mission-driven team that’s Enhancing Life One Meal at a Time™ 

 Starting at 65K annually

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES: 

 

Education: 

• Culinary degree or certification from accredited Culinary Institute 

 

Certifications: 

• ServSafe certification   

 

Computer Skills: 

• Knowledge of Microsoft office suite