Catering Chef

Compass Group•Saint Petersburg, FL

1d•$62,000 - $72,000

About The Position

At Bon Appétit Management Company, chefs are encouraged to be creative, take risks, and stay current with culinary trends. The company operates in contract food service without standardized recipes or central commissaries and supports employees in growing, trying new things, and learning. At Eckerd College, the Catering Chef leads culinary execution for campus events, from intimate receptions and executive meetings to large celebrations and college functions. Working with catering managers and culinary teams, the chef develops and prepares creative menus while upholding standards for fresh ingredients, food quality, operational excellence, and guest experience. The role also involves hands-on team support, event preparation and breakdown, and maintaining food safety and sanitation standards. Salary: $62,000–$72,000. A comprehensive benefit package is offered.

Requirements

Culinary degree, certificate, or equivalent combination of experience and training.
Experience preparing food in catering, hospitality, higher education, restaurant, hotel, resort, or event-focused environments.
Knowledge of banquet production, event execution, and large-scale food preparation.
Strong culinary fundamentals, with a focus on flavor, presentation, and guest experience.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while balancing multiple priorities and event timelines.
Experience with menu development, food production planning, and inventory management.
Understanding of food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety standards.
Familiarity with current culinary trends, dietary accommodations, and guest preferences.
Collaborative communication skills and ability to work effectively across diverse teams.
Comfort using basic computer applications, email, and web-based systems.
Flexibility to support evening, weekend, and special-event schedules as business needs require.

Nice To Haves

ServSafe Certification or willingness to obtain certification.

Responsibilities

Lead the culinary execution of catered campus events, ensuring food quality, presentation, and service.
Collaborate with catering and dining leadership to develop menus aligned with client needs, seasonal offerings, and Bon Appétit's culinary philosophy.
Prepare, cook, and present food for catered functions of varying sizes.
Support menu tastings, special events, and customized client requests.
Ensure recipes, portioning, and presentation standards are followed consistently.
Coordinate production schedules and event preparation for timely execution.
Monitor food quality during preparation, transportation, service, and post-event activities.
Partner with the catering team to forecast production needs and manage event-specific inventory.
Assist with purchasing and receiving food products while supporting food cost and waste management goals.
Maintain food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety standards in accordance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
Guide, train, and support culinary team members in catering production, event execution, and food handling.
Assist with event setup, execution, and breakdown as needed.
Support continuous improvement in guest satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Participate in departmental meetings, training programs, and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Life insurance
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
Other paid and/or unpaid time off benefits may be available in accordance with applicable laws.