Culinary Project Leader - High-Volume Events & Menu

Cotton Holdings Inc.; Maryland; On-site; USD 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Cotton Holdings Inc. is seeking a Culinary Project Manager to oversee high-volume culinary events, lead menu development, and manage kitchen operations from start to finish.

You will drive budgeting, inventory control, and staff supervision while delivering innovative food preparation and presentation for clients. This role combines hands-on cooking with project leadership in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional culinary experience in high-volume events.
• Culinary degree preferred, or equivalent experience in a fast-paced kitchen environment.
• Expertise in food cost management, labor cost control, inventory management, and large-scale menu planning.
• Leadership skills to manage teams and lead projects from concept to completion.
• Willingness to travel and adapt to changing schedules, including occasional after-hours work.
• Valid Driver's License with reliable transportation.

Responsibilities

• Culinary Leadership: Manage all culinary aspects of high-volume events, from menu planning and food preparation to overseeing kitchen staff and ensuring quality execution.
• Budget & Cost Management: Oversee food and labor costs, ensuring alignment with event budgets while maintaining high-quality standards.
• Menu Development: Create innovative and diverse menus tailored to client needs, coordinating closely with the culinary team for execution.
• Inventory Management: Handle ordering, inventory control, and coordination with vendors to ensure timely and accurate deliveries.
• Event Management: Lead the entire culinary process from pre-event planning to post-event cleanup, including staffing, kitchen setup, and on-site client communication.
• Team Management: Supervise and mentor culinary staff, ensuring smooth operations during events, adherence to timelines, and high levels of teamwork.
• Client Relations: Act as the primary culinary contact for clients during events, ensuring satisfaction and addressing any concerns or last-minute adjustments.
• Project Coordination: Collaborate with the Business Development team, kitchen managers, and third-party vendors to ensure all event details are in place, including rentals and asset management.
• High-Volume Event Execution: Successfully manage large-scale, complex culinary events in demanding environments, ensuring flawless execution from kitchen to guest experience.

Skills

Culinary Leadership

Budgeting

Menu Development

Inventory Management

Event Management

Team Leadership

Client Relations

Project Coordination

High-Volume Events

Education

Culinary degree (preferred) or equivalent experience

Job description

Cotton Holdings Inc. is seeking a Culinary Project Manager to oversee high-volume culinary events, lead menu development, and manage kitchen operations from start to finish.

You will drive budgeting, inventory control, and staff supervision while delivering innovative food preparation and presentation for clients. This role combines hands-on cooking with project leadership in a fast-paced environment.