Executive Chef 3

Sodexo Careers • Costa Mesa, CA

16d

About The Position

Lead with Flavor. Inspire with Passion. Let your love for people and food be the driver of your success. As an Executive Chef with Sodexo in Costa Mesa, California , you’ll bring culinary creativity, leadership, and hands-on expertise to a high-profile account where every plate makes an impact. Through your leadership, your team will deliver unforgettable dining experiences and elevate hospitality every single day. About the Role We’re seeking a polished, professional, and hands-on culinary leader who thrives in the kitchen and on the floor. You’ll be accessible to staff during service, guiding and mentoring with confidence, while also collaborating with clients to ensure seamless catering experiences—especially within the on-site conference center. This is a high-level culinary management role, but one that keeps you close to the action, supporting operations and inspiring excellence. At Sodexo, food is more than nourishment—it’s an experience. Join us and showcase your creativity, leadership, and passion in a role where your impact is felt every day.

Requirements

• Culinary flair and creativity to impress clients and lead your team with trending, innovative ideas.
• Knowledge of current food trends and the skill to compete at the highest level of culinary artistry.
• Leadership and mentorship skills to inspire, train, and elevate kitchen staff, ensuring quality, presentation, and safety standards are consistently met.
• Strong communication and collaboration abilities to build trust with staff and clients.
• Minimum Education Requirement - Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience
• Minimum Management Experience - 3 years
• Minimum Functional Experience - 3 years work experience in food or culinary services including restaurants, fast food, vending, catering services, institutional services, mall food courts, etc.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Kitchen: Be hands-on in the kitchen, accessible to staff during service, and set the tone for culinary excellence.
• Create Menus: Develop menus that balance creativity, food costs, dietary needs, and client expectations.
• Stay on Trend: Bring fresh, innovative ideas to the table, keeping menus aligned with current culinary trends and impressing clients with creativity.
• Inspire & Mentor Staff: Train, coach, and elevate the skills of the culinary team, ensuring high standards of quality, presentation, and safety.
• Collaborate with Clients: Partner with the client to deliver seamless catering experiences and build strong relationships.
• Ensure Safety & Standards: Oversee daily production with a focus on food safety, sanitation, and consistent excellence.
• Balance Operations & Creativity: Manage the operational side of the kitchen while still being hands-on, ensuring smooth service and innovation coexist.

Benefits

• Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience.
• Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training.
• Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
• 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
• Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement
• More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees