Jr. Transform Chef
Support La Soupe’s mission of transforming rescued food into nutritious, high-quality meals and soup for individuals experiencing food insecurity. The Jr Transform Chef plays an important role in supporting the chef team through daily meal production, helping create wholesome, delicious meals and soupes that support health and well-being. This role combines hands-on cooking, menu and production support, food safety, and volunteer guidance, with a strong focus on quality, consistency, and thoughtful use of available ingredients. The ideal candidate is organized, adaptable, and passionate about preparing meals that meet a variety of needs while advancing La Soupe’s mission with care and excellence.
Reports to: CCOO/Chef Supervisors
Payroll Type: Full Time/Hourly
Days/hours work: Available through hours possible Monday-Thursday (8 AM-6 PM) Friday (8 AM-4 PM) possible Saturday 8 AM-4 PM; 35-40+ hours/week (hourly wage, non-exempt)
Desired timing of hire: ASAP
Job Posting date: 9/17/2026
Location: La Soupe, 915 E McMillian St, Cincinnati, OH 45206
About La Soupe: La Soupe is Ohio’s largest chef-led nonprofit organization dedicated to bridging the gap between food waste and food insecurity. We rescue surplus food and transform it into healthy meals using a unique chef-based model for the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky community. By combining immediate relief with long-term nutritional education, we’re creating a more sustainable, food-secure future.
Core Responsibilities:
Prepare food using available rescued resources to fulfill production needs
Demonstrate safe food handling and cooking procedures; maintain ServSafe certification
Understand the flow of how food is rescued, transformed, and shared, and stay familiar with all supporting departments
Build high-quality relationships with volunteers and coworkers
Engage with guests and represent La Soupe in an informed manner
Innovate new ideas for efficiency, food utilization, and meal creation
Keep refrigerators, freezers, and all kitchen areas clean and organized
Complete other responsibilities as needed, possibly including creating specials, caterings, and other projects
Excel in teamwork
Respect all La Soupe employees, volunteers, and property
Able to serve as lead on volunteer tasks in the late afternoon, in conjunction with volunteer coordinators and the kitchen team
Job Duties:
Fulfill daily production requirements in a timely manner as instructed by Leads
Sort through available product to determine quality and safety, and help set utilization priorities
Offer feedback to Leads regarding production issues and opportunities
Recognize and communicate tasks for staff and volunteers — sandwich making, recipe prep, chopping, portioning — in collaboration with chefs
Direct volunteers in food preparation and ensure they follow safety and sanitation procedures
Quality-check prepared food by tasting and collaborating with the team during preparation
Maintain sanitation and safety standards in the work area and communicate needs as necessary
Assist other areas as needed and time allows
Assist with recycling, compost, and animal feed programs
Assist with inventory processes
Follow the closing checklist, including daily cleaning
Check and respond to work emails as needed
Participate in occasional off-site or off-hours catering events with a professional appearance and demeanor
Read, understand, and follow the guidelines established in the Employee Handbook
La Soupe Ambassador: attend events on time, maintain a professional appearance, and stay informed about La Soupe's mission, operations, and projects
Skills and Education:
Some kitchen experience, catering know-how a plus!
Willing to get ServSafe Certification
Ideal characteristics:
Self motivator, self manages, keeps busy, sees big picture, can recognize priorities of tasks
Ability to pivot and problem solve
Strong ability to pay attention to detail
Strong organizational and time management skills
Excellent communication skills
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
Lead and educate small groups of volunteers
Warm and friendly, highly flexible
Food enthusiast
Desire to help others
Compensation: $20-22+/hour depending on experience
Benefits: (Full Time)
12 Paid Holidays + Floating Holiday, Free Lunch, Free parking, phone stipend
Medical, dental & vision insurance: 50% employer-paid medical premium; dental and vision employee-paid
401(k) plan (no match), life insurance and AD&D
5 Paid Sick days accruing annually and 2 weeks PTO accrued annually
Parental paid leave policy after 1 year employment.
Opportunity to work with the best crew in the city while helping communities
To Apply: Please send a cover letter and resume to Miranda, Chief Culinary Operating Officer, at miranda@lasoupe.org. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Kitchen role: Requires regular standing, walking, sorting, lifting, and physical movement, including climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. Must regularly lift up to 50 pounds and have stamina for physical work. Vision requirements include close, distance, peripheral, and depth perception. The employee is frequently exposed to wet/humid conditions, mechanical parts, fumes, outdoor weather, and extreme temperatures. Noise levels are usually moderate to loud.
Equal opportunity: La Soupe, Inc. values a diverse and inclusive work environment where every team member matters. All qualified applicants for this position will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.