Job Description

Are you a visionary culinary professional who has dreamed of owning your own catering company but hesitated due to the risks involved? The Beckman Café at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign invites you to join our team as the inaugural Beckman Catering Chef with state-of-the-art equipment. This unique role offers an unparalleled opportunity to unleash your creativity and culinary artistry without the burden of financial risk or logistical barriers. 

As the Beckman Catering Chef, you will have the creative freedom to design and execute menus that reflect your personal style and passion. Whether it’s crafting bespoke dishes for high-profile events or curating themed menus for private gatherings, your vision will take center stage. From ideation to execution, you will have the autonomy to bring your culinary dreams to life, knowing that you have a strong and supportive team by your side. 

We understand that success in catering requires more than talent—it demands resources, mentorship and a reliable infrastructure. That’s why the Beckman Café provides a robust support system to set you up for success. From state-of-the-art kitchen facilities to a seasoned operations team ready to assist with logistics, staffing and marketing, you’ll have everything you need to thrive. Our collaborative environment ensures that you’re never alone in navigating the complexities of the catering world. 

What You Can Expect:  

• Creative Freedom: Shape the culinary identity of Beckman Catering. Develop menus, innovate presentation styles and craft memorable dining experiences. 
• Strong Support System: Access to a well-equipped kitchen, experienced staff and administrative support to handle event planning and operations. 
• Professional Growth: Opportunities for continued education, skill development and professional networking within the vibrant University of Illinois community. 
• Risk-Free Entrepreneurship: Realize the dream of running your own catering company while we shoulder the financial and operational risks. 
• Great hours: You’ll generally work Monday through Friday during the day. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign also offers generous benefits and time off.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead the planning, preparation and execution of catered events of all scales. 

• Collaborate with clients to create personalized menus that meet their needs and exceed their expectations. 

• Manage and mentor kitchen staff, fostering a culture of innovation, teamwork and excellence. 

• Maintain the highest standards of food safety, quality and presentation. 

• Work closely with the Beckman Café leadership team to align with organizational goals and uphold the mission of delivering exceptional service. 

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Any combination totaling two (2) years (24 months) from the categories below:
1. College coursework in the culinary arts field, as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
• 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
• Associate’s Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
• 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
• Bachelor’s Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)
2. Vocational training in the culinary arts field, such as an apprenticeship.
3. Skilled work experience (such as an Assistant Chef or Culinary Worker IV) in large-scale cooking in a variety of food areas (meats, baking, desserts, salads, sauces, etc.) and in a variety of international cuisines (European, American, Asian, etc.) that provided a knowledge of food science, food service management, food sanitation, and the culinary arts and their practice.
2. Two (2) years (24 months) of progressively broader and more responsible work experience in food production. The experience must have included work in a variety of cuisines, quality standards, cost controls, recipe development, catering, and food styling.
3. One (1) year (12 months) of supervisory experience in a culinary setting.
4. Two (2) years (24 months) as a chef in a commercial or institutional operation.

Note: As required by the position to be filled, possession of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) or per PA 100-0194 and/or PA 100- 0954, a valid Illinois Food Service Sanitation Manager Certification (FSSMC).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Sous Chef or Higher certification from the American Culinary Federation.
• Successful completion of an associate degree or higher from an accredited culinary arts program.
• Extensive, high-end catering experience, including supervising staff.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of food service organization, operation, methods and equipment.
• Full knowledge of food management techniques, including purchasing, food storage, inventory, food production and control, service personnel management, marketing, financial management, facilities management and health and safety regulations.
• Knowledge of sanitation procedures and safe food handling.
• Extensive knowledge of various institutional food service operations.
• Knowledge of computer programs related to menu management, inventory management, catering programs and point-of-sale systems.
• Principles and processes for providing customer and personal services.
• Business and management principles in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership techniques, production methods and coordination of people and resources.
• Training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups and measurement of training effects.
• Marketing strategies, merchandising and promotional advertising.
• Researching current trends to write and standardize recipes.
• Strong verbal and written communication, interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Intermediate math skills, including cash handling.
• Good recordkeeping and concise report preparation.
• Service orientation, decision-making, independent judgment, initiative and leadership.
• Ability to supervise, work with a variety of people, read, understand, follow, and enforce all policies and procedures, meet deadlines, exercise sound judgment, deal effectively with conflicts, and organize, prioritize, and multitask.

Physical Demands:

• Standing and walking constantly.
• Frequent lifting/carrying, pushing/pulling, balancing, reaching, grip/dexterity, twisting, talking, hearing and repetitive motions.
• Occasional use of stairs, bending/stooping and sitting.
• Rarely kneeling, squatting/crouching, climbing.
• Frequent operation of heavy machinery/equipment.
• Constant visual acuity and physical exertion.
• Work in environments with extreme temperatures, humidity, noise and occasional hazards.

Working Conditions:

• Work performed in an industrial kitchen with some discomfort in low and high temperature areas.
• Risk involved when working with dangerous machinery, wet floors and exposure to open flames.

Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Civil Service Food Service Chef position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after March 7, 2025. The salary range for this position is $56,000-$60,000 per year. Final salary offered will be determined by a thorough assessment of available market data, internal salary equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements and budget constraints. 

Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at

Application Procedures and Deadline Information

Join us and turn your culinary aspirations into reality with the security and resources of an established institution. At the Beckman Café, your success is our mission. Apply today to become the inaugural Beckman Catering Chef and embark on a fulfilling journey of creative expression and professional achievement. Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on March 7, 2025 . Apply for this position by visiting jobs.illinois.edu and using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of the posting. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through will not be considered. Please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact Beckman HR at hr@beckman.illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

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