Chef de Cuisine

Restaurant Associates; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 102,000; 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

Paid Parental Leave

Personal Leave

Job summary

Restaurant Associates is seeking an experienced Chef de Cuisine to join our culinary team in Seattle, WA. This hands-on leader will run daily kitchen operations and work closely with the Executive Chef to maintain exceptional food quality, presentation, and sanitation.

The CDC will mentor the culinary team, support menu development and cost controls, and help execute large-scale catering events with a focus on collaboration and excellence.

Qualifications

• A.O.S. degree in Culinary Arts or culinary certificate preferred.
• 3-5 years progressive culinary experience with 2-3 years in kitchen management in a high-volume setting.
• Catering, banquet, and large-scale event experience preferred.
• Experience with high-volume batch cooking and food production.
• Strong knowledge of contemporary catering trends and menu development.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and HACCP principles.
• Experience with food cost controls, inventory, purchasing, and waste management.
• Proven ability to lead and develop a diverse culinary team.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily culinary production and kitchen operations under the Executive Chef.
• Act as culinary department head in the Executive Chef's absence and guide the team.
• Ensure high standards for food production, quality, presentation, sanitation and service.
• Maintain HACCP compliance and applicable food safety requirements.
• Assist with menu development, inventory, purchasing, and cost controls.
• Train and develop culinary staff to build a high-performing team.
• Assist with hiring, performance coaching, and other HR duties.
• Support catering and large-scale events.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Catering & events

Kitchen management

Food safety & HACCP

Menu development

Education

A.O.S. degree in Culinary Arts or culinary certificate

Tools

Inventory & purchasing systems

Job description

Restaurant Associates

Position Title: Chef de Cuisine

Salary: $95,000 - $102,000 / year

Schedule: Monday-Friday 5:30AM-4:30PM

Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry’s leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the nation's most prestigious museums, performing arts centers and corporations! Voted Glassdoor's Employee Choice Awards- Best Places to Work, This is R/A !

Job Summary

Restaurant Associates is seeking an experienced Chef de Cuisine to join our culinary team in Seattle, WA. This is an exciting opportunity for a hands‑on culinary leader who is passionate about exceptional food, hospitality, and team development.

Working closely with the Executive Chef, the CDC will lead the day‑to‑day culinary operation and ensure consistently high standards across food production, quality, presentation, sanitation, and service. This leader will play an important role in developing and mentoring the culinary team while supporting menu development, purchasing, inventory, food cost management, and special events.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative culinary professional who brings strong technical skills, operational discipline, and a passion for creating exceptional dining experiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily culinary production and kitchen operations under the direction of the Executive Chef.
• Serve as the culinary department head in the Executive Chef’s absence, providing leadership and direction to the culinary team.
• Ensure all food production, preparation, and presentation meet established quality, safety, and sanitation standards.
• Maintain compliance with HACCP guidelines and all applicable food safety requirements.
• Assist with menu development, inventory management, ordering and purchasing, and food and labor cost controls.
• Support the training, coaching, and development of culinary team members to build a high‑performing team.
• Assist with personnel management, including hiring, performance management, coaching, counseling, and other employee relations responsibilities.
• Support catering and special events, including large‑scale catering and banquet functions.

Preferred Qualifications

• A.O.S. degree in Culinary Arts or culinary certificate preferred.
• 3-5 years of progressive culinary experience, with 2-3 years of direct culinary or kitchen management experience in a high-volume environment.
• Catering, banquet, and large‑scale event experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with high‑volume and/or batch cooking and large‑scale food production.
• Strong knowledge of contemporary food and catering trends, culinary techniques, menu development, and presentation.
• Demonstrated knowledge of food safety, sanitation, HACCP principles, and kitchen safety practices.
• Experience with food cost controls, inventory, purchasing, production planning, and waste management.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop a diverse culinary team.
• Strong communication, organization, problem‑solving, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to remain calm, composed, and solutions‑oriented in a fast‑paced culinary environment.
• ServSafe certification preferred or required based on account requirements.
• Strong computer and administrative skills, including familiarity with inventory, purchasing, scheduling, and food cost systems.

Associates At Restaurant Associates Are Offered Many Fantastic Benefits.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time OffHoliday 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

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.

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

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.

Restaurant Associates maintains a drug-free workplace.

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_RA.pdf

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Restaurant Associates