Executive Chef
Salary: 100,000-110,000
Other Forms of Compensation:
Our Passion is Food!
At Bon Appetit Management Company we are committed to two things, great food and outstanding service! At Bon Appetit you won't find our managers referring to a corporate recipe book or our chefs microwaving the lunch special. We do not have standardized recipes or central commissaries, instead, our chefs and managers are expected to stay abreast of current culinary trends and bring cutting edge food into their cafes. We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the freedom to be creative, take risks, and truly shine. We are committed to our staff growing, trying new things, and learning all that they can. Our rapid growth and breadth of accounts translates into exciting opportunities for our people!
Job Summary
The Executive Chef provides strategic culinary leadership for a dynamic, high-volume food service operation, overseeing all aspects of production, quality, innovation, and team development. This role leads a commissary-based culinary program supporting multiple service platforms, including daily dining operations, high-profile catering and hospitality events, and evolving business growth initiatives. The Executive Chef is responsible for delivering exceptional food experiences, driving operational excellence, managing financial performance, and developing a high-performing culinary team in a fast-paced and innovative environment.
Working closely with operations leadership and client stakeholders, the Executive Chef champions culinary creativity, elevated guest experiences, food quality, safety, sustainability, and continuous improvement while fostering a culture centered on collaboration, accountability, and hospitality.
Responsibilities
- Lead all culinary operations, ensuring the consistent execution of high-quality food programs across commissary production, café service, catering, and hospitality events.
- Develop and execute innovative, seasonally driven menus that reflect current culinary trends, guest preferences, and operational objectives.
- Maintain exceptional standards for food quality, presentation, consistency, and guest satisfaction across all service channels.
- Provide leadership, coaching, and development for culinary managers, supervisors, and hourly team members, building a culture of engagement, accountability, and continuous learning.
- Oversee recruiting, hiring, onboarding, training, succession planning, and performance management for the culinary team.
- Maintain full ownership of culinary financial performance, including food cost management, labor planning, purchasing, inventory controls, forecasting, and budget execution.
- Analyze financial and operational data to identify opportunities for increased efficiencies, improved productivity, and enhanced guest experiences.
- Partner with operations leadership to support business growth, new program implementation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Collaborate closely with catering and hospitality teams to execute high-profile meetings, events, and special functions with exceptional attention to detail and service.
- Build strong partnerships with client stakeholders through responsiveness, innovation, and consistently exceeding expectations.
- Ensure compliance with all company, local, state, and federal food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety regulations.
- Establish and maintain HACCP-based food safety systems, quality assurance procedures, and best practices in production and handling.
- Drive sustainability initiatives, waste reduction strategies, and responsible sourcing practices while maintaining financial goals.
- Lead the planning and execution of equipment utilization, production workflow optimization, and commissary operational effectiveness.
- Serve as the culinary subject matter expert and ambassador for the overall food program.
Qualifications
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, or related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and professional experience considered.
- Five or more years of progressive culinary leadership experience as an Executive Chef, Executive Sous Chef, or comparable leadership role within corporate dining, premium hospitality, hotels, restaurants, or high-volume food service environments.
- Proven success leading complex culinary operations with significant catering, hospitality, and large-scale food production components.
- Experience managing commissary, centralized production, or multi-outlet culinary operations strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated financial acumen with responsibility for food cost controls, labor management, purchasing, inventory, budgeting, and forecasting.
- Strong background in menu development, culinary innovation, and contemporary food trends.
- Experience leading diverse culinary teams and developing future leaders through coaching and mentorship.
- Thorough knowledge of food safety regulations, HACCP systems, sanitation standards, and quality assurance programs.
- Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Exceptional communication, client relationship management, and presentation skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and food service management systems.
- ServSafe Manager Certification or equivalent food safety certification preferred.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment that values creativity, innovation, collaboration, and hospitality excellence.
Associates at Bon Appetit are offered many fantastic benefits.
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Life Insurance/ AD
- Disability Insurance
- Retirement Plan
- Paid Time Off
- Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
- Associate Shopping Program
- Health and Wellness Programs
- Discount Marketplace
- Identity Theft Protection
- Pet Insurance
- Commuter Benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
- Paid Parental Leave
- Personal Leave
Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.
https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_BAMCO.pdf
Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.
Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.
Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Bon Appetit maintains a drug-free workplace.
Req ID: 1590085
Bon Appetit
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