Proof of the Pudding is an award-winning catering and hospitality company serving the Southeast, nationally recognized for creating elevated culinary concepts from scratch. The company is a premier provider of Sports & Entertainment Food & Beverage services, delivering premium hospitality experiences for collegiate stadiums, professional sports teams, PGA golf tournaments, international events, and major entertainment venues.
Proof of the Pudding is the exclusive Food & Beverage partner for Auburn University Athletics and Campus Events, providing premium hospitality, suites, clubs, concessions, and large-scale catering across all Auburn sport venues and university properties.
We are seeking a highly motivated, people-first Executive Sous Chef to help lead culinary operations across All Auburn Athletics venues and campus catering programs.
Position Summary
The Executive Sous Chef is a senior culinary leadership role responsible for supporting all food and beverage operations across Auburn University Athletics and campus venues. This position plays a critical role in game-day execution, premium hospitality, client-facing service, and large-scale catering operations across a multi-venue campus footprint.
This role requires an experienced stadium and catering professional who thrives in fast-paced, high-volume environments, leads with strong people skills, and operates with a full ownership mentality.
This is a hands-on leadership position that requires long hours on your feet, constant movement across various venues, and direct engagement with staff, clients, and university partners.
Responsibilities:
- Responsible for assisting in all culinary aspects of Jordan-Hare Stadium. If it involves food, it involves you!
- Suites, clubs, on-site catering, events, and more.
- Facilitate the planning and execution of game-day and event menus.
- Assist in the training, mentoring, and hiring of kitchen staff and help develop staff to reach full potential.
- Capable of producing a consistent product in a high-volume environment.
- Ensure proper safety and sanitation of all kitchen/food service areas.
- Assist in the development and implementation of creative menu items that adhere to Proof of the Pudding standards.
- Creating and maintaining the overall morale of the kitchen and culinary team.
- Schedules Staff and food production in accordance with the demands of business, the direction of the Executive Chef, and Company policies.
- Assist Executive Chef with logistical planning and execution of events as directed.
- Assist with ordering, budget preparation, inventory control, menu development, financial reports, and scheduling
*Responsibilities are not limited to this list
Required Qualifications
- 5+ years of leadership experience in Sports & Entertainment Premium Hospitality Operations, Food & Beverage, Operations Management.
- A degree or formal training in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, or equivalent professional experience.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office, internal and external email communications, and purchasing procedures
- Strong operational knowledge of budget and financial management, labor, and food cost controls, as well as high-volume food production systems and catering and banquet operations.
- Proven ability to manage inventory, ordering, and cost controls in high-volume operations
- Must live near or be willing to relocate to Auburn, AL.
Specialized Qualifications:
- Capable of producing a consistent product in a high-volume environment
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
- Ownership mentality with the ability to run a business as if you own it
- Exceptional knife skills, knowledge of a variety of culinary techniques, and the ability to teach these skills
Work Environment
This position breakdown will include both in-office work and kitchen responsibilities. Office work involves computer usage, inter-departmental meetings, and communications via email, phone, and in person. Kitchen duties can include using standard kitchen equipment, bending, lifting, pushing, carrying, and moving products, food items, and equipment. Job duties may include movement between indoors, outdoors, and structures throughout the campus.
Physical Demands:
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Prolonged periods of standing, moving throughout a kitchen and venue, bending, lifting, and reaching.
- Ability to work long, demanding event days and extended game-day shifts if necessary
- Ability to perform physical tasks, such as but not limited to, lifting approx. 30 lbs.
COMPANY CORE VALUE AND COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS
- Business Acumen - Demonstrate comprehension of the job, including policies, practices, and relationships. Possess the expertise and skill levels required of the job and perform with quality.
- Dedication - Dependable, reliable and follows through on projects from inception to completion. Willing to put in as much time as necessary to complete tasks. Demonstrate a win-win attitude: “see it, own it, solve it.”
- Ethics and Integrity - Acts with integrity, honesty and knowledge that promote the company’s culture, values and beliefs while maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct.
- Safety & Security - Observe safety and security standards. Use equipment and materials properly. Comply with safety standards and personal protective equipment requirements. Report potential unsafe conditions or practices to appropriate person immediately. Promote restaurant safety, cleanliness and security compliance at all times.
- Teamwork - Cooperate and be willing to work as a team player to achieve goals and tasks accurately, efficiently and timely.
- Communication - Communicate clearly and effectively with mutual respect, understanding and trust to fellow associates, managers, supervisors and guests. Listen carefully to opinions and views of others; state understanding of what has been heard.
- Initiative - Contribute new ideas and suggestions to enhance productivity and efficiency. Be proactive in troubleshooting problems or issues and take action to mitigate potential problems.
- Adaptability & Planning - Possess the ability to learn new tasks and adjusts well to new situations. Perform well under tight time schedules and pressures to change direction quickly.
- Service Orientation - Demonstrates a sense of urgency. Is welcoming, friendly and smiles when visible to guests.
Position Salary & Benefits:
- This is considered a full-time salary position.
- Proof is pleased to provide all full-time eligible employees with Basic Life and AD&D as well as long-term disability at no cost to employees
- Full-time eligible employees may choose to enroll in optional benefits, including Medical, Dental, Vision, and Voluntary Life and AD&D, Short Term Disability, Voluntary Accident, Voluntary Critical Illness, and Voluntary Hospitality Indemnity
Proof of the Pudding and its affiliates are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to inclusion and employing a diverse workforce. All applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, disability, or other legally protected characteristics.
