Catering Chef - Trinity SchooI

Compass Group USA; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Flik Independent School Dining at Trinity School in New York, NY is seeking a Catering Chef to lead all catering efforts from planning to execution in a high-volume school setting. You will manage client consultations, menu development, staff leadership, inventory control, and on-site operations to deliver exceptional dining experiences.

The role emphasizes guest satisfaction, food quality, and collaboration with campus partners, with opportunities to shape events for students, faculty, parents,

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years in hospitality, food and beverage management or catering operations.
• Fine dining experience strongly preferred.
• Experience in event planning or campus catering environments.
• Strong knowledge of food prep, presentation standards, and catering trends.
• Proven leadership to train and develop service teams.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and execute catering events and campus programs, ensuring excellence in service, presentation, and overall experience.
• Oversee all aspects of catered events, including client consultations, menu planning, staffing, logistics, and execution.
• Collaborate with culinary teams to develop creative, high-quality menus aligned with client needs and event styles.
• Lead event logistics, including setup, service, breakdown, and coordination of onsite operations.
• Train and mentor catering associates in service techniques, menu presentation, food safety, and customer service excellence.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and quality standards at all times.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships with students, faculty, parents, and school administrators to support community engagement and repeat business.
• Partner with campus teams to create engaging, food-focused events that reflect the school culture.
• Support marketing efforts, including social media content, promotions, and visual merchandising.
• Gather and analyze guest feedback to continuously improve catering services and offerings.
• Provide on-site leadership and problem-solving during events to ensure smooth, successful execution.
• Utilize catering software platforms (e.g., Catertrax, Spoonfed) to manage event details and communications.
• Monitor timelines, budgets, food and labor costs, and overall performance of catering programs.

Skills

Hospitality management

Event planning

Catering operations

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Service skills

Education

Associate's degree or higher in Hospitality Management, Event Planning, Marketing, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Catering software (Catertrax, Spoonfed)

Job description

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Flik Independent School Dining has been leading the way in transforming private and independent school foodservice across 300 communities for over four decades. Our passionate team of associates is fully committed to delivering exceptional foodservice experiences every single time. Our meals are crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, supporting sustainable agricultural practices that benefit our communities. But we don't stop at just foodservice – we take it to the next level by offering cutting-edge nutrition education programs that empower students to make smart, healthy choices daily. By combining nutritious meals with comprehensive education, we equip students with the essential tools they need to lead a healthy and thriving life. We believe in nourishing the whole person, creating community through great food and programming, and doing what’s right, every time.

We are Nourishing a Brighter Future.

Job Summary

As Catering Chef, you will lead all catering efforts, ensuring seamless execution of events from planning through completion within a dynamic school setting. Based at Trinity School—an independent, co-educational preparatory day school serving grades K–12 and feeding approximately 1,400 students daily for lunch and snacks—you will play a key role in elevating the on-campus dining experience. We are seeking a talented chef with a strong culinary foundation—ideally with fine dining experience to oversee all aspects of the catering program, including client consultations, menu development, staff leadership, inventory control, and event execution. In this role, you will manage event logistics, staffing, service standards, and client communications while maintaining a strong focus on food quality, presentation, and guest satisfaction. The Catering Chef must thrive in a multifaceted, high-volume school environment, balancing daily operational awareness with elevated catering expectations. Events range from small snack deliveries and cocktail receptions to formal plated dinners hosted in the Headmaster’s home. This position offers the opportunity to create memorable dining experiences for students, faculty, parents, and distinguished guests while upholding brand standards and contributing meaningfully to the Trinity School community.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and execute catering events and campus programs, ensuring excellence in service, presentation, and overall experience.
• Oversee all aspects of catered events, including client consultations, menu planning, staffing, logistics, and execution.
• Collaborate with culinary teams to develop creative, high-quality menus aligned with client needs and event styles.
• Lead event logistics, including setup, service, breakdown, and coordination of onsite operations.
• Train and mentor catering associates in service techniques, menu presentation, food safety, and customer service excellence.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and quality standards at all times.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships with students, faculty, parents, and school administrators to support community engagement and repeat business.
• Partner with campus teams to create engaging, food-focused events that reflect the school culture.
• Support marketing efforts, including social media content, promotions, and visual merchandising.
• Gather and analyze guest feedback to continuously improve catering services and offerings.
• Provide on-site leadership and problem-solving during events to ensure smooth, successful execution.
• Utilize catering software platforms (e.g., Catertrax, Spoonfed) to manage event details and communications.
• Monitor timelines, budgets, food and labor costs, and overall performance of catering programs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in hospitality, food and beverage management, or catering operations.
• Culinary background required; fine dining experience strongly preferred.
• Associate’s degree or higher in Hospitality Management, Event Planning, Marketing, or a related field preferred.
• Experience in event planning, conference services, or campus catering environments strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of food preparation, presentation standards, and current catering trends.
• Proven leadership experience with the ability to train and develop service teams.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to interact effectively with diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and catering/event management software.
• Creative, detail-oriented professional with a passion for hospitality, guest engagement, and community-building.

Flik Independent School Dining is a member of Compass Group USA

Associates at Flik Independent School Dining are offered many fantastic benefits.

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.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Flik Independent School Dining maintains a drug‑free workplace.

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