Catering Executive Chef

Sodexo Careers•Menlo Park, CA

11h•Onsite

About The Position

Sodexo is seeking a Catering Executive Chef to lead high-profile corporate events, bespoke VIP banquets, and large-scale catering operations across a diverse portfolio of premier client locations. This role involves shaping unforgettable event experiences, inspiring cross-functional teams, and building strategic partnerships. The Catering Executive Chef will be responsible for redefining the corporate event experience through custom menu engineering, seasonal sourcing, and guest-centric hospitality, focusing on cutting-edge food trends, flawless event execution, and rigorous operational standards for high-volume banquets. The role requires inspiring and mentoring kitchen and service teams, driving culinary excellence under tight event timelines, and managing food costs, logistics, and safety compliance, with an unwavering commitment to food safety and sanitation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience
Minimum 3 years of management experience
Minimum 3 years of work experience in food or culinary services including restaurants, fast food, vending, catering services, institutional services, mall food courts, etc.
A rock-solid background in high-end kitchens and a finger on the pulse of modern food trends.
Exceptional communication skills and the authority to command a kitchen while maintaining uncompromising culinary standards.
A natural talent for coaching and helping others grow.
A genuine, infectious passion for food. Thrives on experimenting with new flavors and bringing creative concepts to life.

Responsibilities

Take full ownership of strategic purchasing, inventory, and food cost analysis.
Use expertise in production forecasting to keep the kitchen running efficiently.
Ensure every plate meets client expectations, from recipes to top-tier food quality.
Develop and motivate the team to embrace bold culinary innovations and stay ahead of global food trends.
Enforce rigorous food safety, HACCP compliance, and a zero-compromise kitchen environment by championing meticulous cleanliness, strict sanitation audits, and daily adherence to the highest regulatory health and safety standards across all client locations.