Catering Chef: Lead Menu & High-Volume Events

Restaurant Associates; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance/ AD

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

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

Job summary

Restaurant Associates is seeking a Catering Chef in Philadelphia to lead culinary catering operations for premier accounts. You will oversee food production, menu development, purchasing, inventory, and team leadership to deliver exceptional dining experiences.

The role requires a culinary degree and 3–5 years of management in a fast-paced catering or hospitality setting, with a focus on quality, cost control, and program innovation.

Qualifications

• Culinary degree required; Associate degree preferred.
• Experience leading culinary operations in a high-volume foodservice, hospitality, or catering environment.
• Strong knowledge of food production, menu planning, sanitation, and food safety practices.
• Experience with inventory management, purchasing, and cost control.
• Ability to lead, coach, and develop diverse teams.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Three to five years of culinary management experience.
• High-volume catering and event experience.
• Knowledge of food and industry trends.
• Experience managing budgets and achieving financial goals.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all catering culinary operations, ensuring exceptional food quality and presentation.
• Create, develop, and execute seasonal menus, catering offerings, and specialty events.
• Supervise and actively participate in food preparation and production activities.
• Partner with operations and marketing teams to implement new culinary programs and initiatives.
• Manage food, labor, and operational costs while maintaining quality standards.
• Oversee purchasing, receiving, inventory control, and product utilization.
• Promote the use of local and sustainable ingredients whenever possible.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, sanitation, HACCP, and ServSafe standards.
• Maintain a safe and inclusive work environment for all team members.
• Recruit, train, coach, and develop culinary team members, supporting career growth and engagement.
• Monitor equipment, kitchen maintenance, and operational readiness.
• Drive continuous improvement through process enhancements and best practices.
• Support special projects and additional responsibilities as needed.

Skills

Leadership

Menu planning

Cost control

Budgeting

Communication

Problem solving

Team development

Education

Culinary degree

Associate degree

Job description

Restaurant Associates is seeking a Catering Chef in Philadelphia to lead culinary catering operations for premier accounts. You will oversee food production, menu development, purchasing, inventory, and team leadership to deliver exceptional dining experiences.

The role requires a culinary degree and 3–5 years of management in a fast-paced catering or hospitality setting, with a focus on quality, cost control, and program innovation.