Executive Chef

Restaurant Associates; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; 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

FSAs

Paid Parental Leave

Personal Leave

Job summary

Restaurant Associates seeks an experienced Executive Chef to lead culinary operations for a premier corporate dining program at CoStar Group. This hands-on leader will oversee a high-volume café, catering and coffee bar while engaging with guests and building client relationships.

The role emphasizes hospitality at executive levels, with occasional evening events and a Monday–Friday core schedule. Strong food quality, trend awareness, and team development are essential for success.

Qualifications

• Progressive culinary leadership experience in corporate dining, restaurants, hospitality, hotels, or catering environments.
• Experience leading high-volume and complex foodservice operations.
• Strong catering and special event execution experience.
• Hands-on chef experience with a commitment to food quality and innovation.
• Knowledge of food trends, menu planning, cost controls, sanitation, and production management.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, Outlook, email, and related business technology tools.
• ServSafe Certification preferred.
• Experience participating in client satisfaction and hospitality-focused initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead all culinary operations for a high-volume corporate dining program.
• Oversee daily café service, catering operations, and coffee bar offerings.
• Plan regular and modified menus in accordance with client expectations, company standards, and culinary trends.
• Ensure consistent quality, presentation, portion control, and execution of all food offerings.
• Follow and enforce standardized recipes, production procedures, and food presentation standards.
• Complete and utilize production worksheets and waste logs to support operational efficiency.
• Taste completed meals and monitor quality throughout service.
• Maintain a hands-on leadership presence in both kitchen and guest-facing environments.
• Partner closely with client leadership and onsite teams to deliver an exceptional hospitality experience.
• Support executive functions, VIP receptions, and CEO-hosted events, including occasional evening engagements.
• Train, coach, and develop culinary team members on food preparation, equipment usage, food safety, sanitation, and company standards.
• Establish and maintain cleaning, maintenance, and sanitation schedules for kitchen equipment, storage areas, and workspaces.
• Manage food and non-food inventories while maintaining financial and operational objectives.
• Monitor food safety, sanitation, maintenance, and compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations.
• Utilize inventory controls, waste reduction strategies, and production planning tools to drive operational excellence.
• Participate in client engagement initiatives, satisfaction programs, department meetings, and professional development opportunities.

Skills

Culinary leadership

High-volume operations

Event/catering execution

Hands-on chef

Menu planning

Food cost controls

MS Office

ServSafe certified

Client hospitality

Education

Associate degree in Culinary Arts

Job description

Salary: $85,000 - $95,000

Restaurant Associates

Position Title: Executive Chef

Salary: $85,000 - $95,000

Other Forms of Compensation: Annual Performance Bonus Opportunity (Up to 20% of Base Salary)

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, hospitality-focused Executive Chef to lead culinary operations at our premier corporate dining account with CoStar Group. This is an exciting opportunity for a hands-on culinary leader who is passionate about food, hospitality, and delivering exceptional guest experiences.

The Executive Chef will oversee a high-volume café, as well as catering and coffee bar operations. Beyond culinary excellence, this role requires a visible and engaging leader who enjoys interacting with guests, building client relationships, and creating memorable dining experiences.

The successful candidate will thrive in a dynamic corporate environment, balancing day-to-day operations with elevated hospitality standards and executive-level events. This role offers significant visibility with senior leadership at CoStar, including support for executive gatherings and events hosted by the CEO. The Executive Chef should be comfortable operating in a client-facing environment, engaging with guests, and delivering elevated hospitality experiences.

While the primary schedule is Monday through Friday, flexibility is important as occasional evening and after-hours events are a regular part of the operation. Success in this role requires a hospitality-first mindset, executive presence, and a willingness to step beyond the kitchen to help create memorable experiences for employees, clients, and leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all culinary operations for a high-volume corporate dining program.
• Oversee daily café service, catering operations, and coffee bar offerings.
• Plan regular and modified menus in accordance with client expectations, company standards, and culinary trends.
• Ensure consistent quality, presentation, portion control, and execution of all food offerings.
• Follow and enforce standardized recipes, production procedures, and food presentation standards.
• Complete and utilize production worksheets and waste logs to support operational efficiency.
• Taste completed meals and monitor quality throughout service.
• Maintain a hands-on leadership presence in both kitchen and guest-facing environments.
• Partner closely with client leadership and onsite teams to deliver an exceptional hospitality experience.
• Support executive functions, VIP receptions, and CEO-hosted events, including occasional evening engagements.
• Train, coach, and develop culinary team members on food preparation, equipment usage, food safety, sanitation, and company standards.
• Establish and maintain cleaning, maintenance, and sanitation schedules for kitchen equipment, storage areas, and workspaces.
• Manage food and non-food inventories while maintaining financial and operational objectives.
• Monitor food safety, sanitation, maintenance, and compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations.
• Utilize inventory controls, waste reduction strategies, and production planning tools to drive operational excellence.
• Participate in client engagement initiatives, satisfaction programs, department meetings, and professional development opportunities.

What We're Looking For

• Associate degree in Culinary Arts or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Progressive culinary leadership experience in corporate dining, restaurants, hospitality, hotels, or catering environments.
• Experience leading high-volume and complex foodservice operations.
• Strong catering and special event execution experience.
• Institutional or batch cooking experience is a plus.
• Demonstrated success developing and leading culinary teams.
• Hands-on chef experience with a commitment to food quality and innovation.
• Knowledge of food trends, menu planning, cost controls, sanitation, and production management.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, Outlook, email, and related business technology tools.
• ServSafe Certification preferred.
• Experience participating in client satisfaction and hospitality-focused initiatives.

Restaurant Associates is a member of Compass Group USA

Equal Opportunity Statement

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.

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

Benefits

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

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

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, 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

Req ID: 1559758

Restaurant Associates

Michael Abbey

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