Keeter Center – Executive Chef

The Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks is seeking a dedicated and experienced Executive Chef to lead our dynamic culinary team in an environment where faith and work come together to shape lives. As part of our unique work education program, The Keeter Center serves as a learning laboratory where students gain hands-on experience in culinary arts, hospitality, and leadership.

This role calls for a passionate culinary leader with strong mentorship abilities and a heart for developing students, guiding them in both the craft of cooking and cultivating faith-centered work ethic. Responsibilities include overseeing kitchen operations, food preparation, inventory management, staff and student supervision, menu development, and ensuring health and safety compliance.

The Executive Chef will also work closely with our campus gardens, hog farm, processing plant, and dairy to incorporate fresh, locally sourced ingredients into our menus. Through this work, the Executive Chef will help shape students’ skills, character, and faith as they prepare for their future.

If you are called to lead with purpose and inspire the next generation, we would love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and mentor a team of 130 students and staff in a 6,700-square-foot state-of-the-art kitchen.
• Oversee menu development and daily operations for the award-winning Dobyns Dining Room.
• Work closely with campus agricultural resources to ensure a farm-to-table experience.
• Maintain the highest standards of food quality, presentation, and safety.
• Manage inventory, purchasing, and vendor relations to optimize kitchen operations.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and sanitation regulations.
• Train, supervise, and inspire student workers, supporting the College’s work education program.
• Create memorable dining experiences for more than 300,000 guests annually.

Recent Recognitions:

• Top 10 TripAdvisor “Hidden Gems” Nationwide
• Best Brunch – 417 Magazine
• Best Branson Restaurant – 417 Magazine
• Top 10 – Convention South Magazine
• #1 Branson Restaurant – TripAdvisor
• #1 Branson Hotel – TripAdvisor

Required Qualifications:

• Associate degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, or a related field (a combination of experience and training may be considered).
• 5+ years of experience in a culinary leadership role.
• SERV Safe certification (must obtain within 90 days of hire; training provided).
• CPR and First Aid certifications (must obtain within 90 days of hire; training provided).
• Biohazard training (must obtain within 30 days of hire; training provided).
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• A commitment to Christian faith, service, and the work-education model of College of the Ozarks.

Employment Benefits:

College of the Ozarks is a faith-based liberal arts college with approximately 1,500 students and a strong commitment to Christian values and work education. Employment benefits include:

• Competitive salary
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance
• 403(b) retirement savings plan
• Two weeks of paid vacation per year

Application Process:

Please submit applications and résumés to:

Vicki Wrosch

Business Office, College of the Ozarks

PO Box 17, Point Lookout, MO 65726

Email: hr@cofo.edu

About The Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks

Vision and Pillars The vision of College of the Ozarks is to develop citizens of Christlike character who are well-educated, hard-working, and patriotic. To achieve this vision, the College has Academic, Vocational, Christian, Patriotic and Cultural pillars. Even as College of the Ozarks has evolved through secondary and junior college stages to the present four-year liberal arts institution, the fundamental pillars have remained the same. Core Values Creating and stewarding a faithful community that fosters growth and pursues good. You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16 ESV Steward Faithfully. God calls us to faithfully steward his gifts; therefore, we will faithfully steward the Colleg...e’s mission, vision, goals, and resources (people, finances, time). This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 ESV Create Community. God calls us to grow up together into Christ; therefore, we will cultivate a community that fosters personal growth and thriving by valuing, respecting, and lovingly speaking and receiving the truth from one another. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Ephesians 4:15-16 ESV Pursue Good. God calls us to be salt and light; therefore, we will influence others for good, both inside and outside the College, through selfless service, the pursuit of excellence, and living with Christlike character and integrity. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:9-10 ESV Practice Hospitality. God calls us to be hospitable; therefore, we will provide a gracious, welcoming environment for all we meet. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:13 Show Gratitude. God calls us to give thanks; therefore, we will practice gratitude in all we do. Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20

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