Executive Chef

Compass Group USA; Culver City (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Vision

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Associate Shopping Program

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

FSAs

Personal Leave

Job summary

Bon Appétit Management Company seeks a highly creative, strategic Executive Chef to lead culinary operations across three kitchens with approximately $8 million in managed volume. Reporting to the Culinary Director, you will drive menu innovation, food safety compliance, financial performance, and team development, balancing hands-on leadership on the kitchen floor with strategic culinary initiatives.

The role focuses on fresh, seasonal, from-scratch cooking, guest experiences, and hospitality

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive culinary leadership experience, including Executive Chef or senior culinary management.
• Experience managing multi-unit culinary operations in corporate dining, hospitality, or luxury foodservice environments.
• Strong background in international cuisine, with focus on Asian flavors and modern trends.
• Proven expertise in menu development, recipe costing, and food cost management.
• Extensive knowledge of HACCP, allergen management, food safety, and sanitation best practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead culinary operations across three kitchens with high-quality standards and guest satisfaction.
• Develop and execute seasonal menus showcasing global cuisine with emphasis on Asian flavors.
• Drive menu innovation through recipes, tastings, and chef features; partner with Culinary Director on strategic initiatives.
• Oversee food safety, purchasing, inventory, and cost controls to maximize efficiency and quality.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a culinary team including hourly staff and a manager.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Menu development

Food cost management

HACCP knowledge

Education

Culinary degree preferred

Job description

Our Passion is Food!

At Bon Appetit Management Company we are committed to two things, great food and outstanding service! At Bon Appetit you won't find our managers referring to a corporate recipe book or our chefs microwaving the lunch special. We do not have standardized recipes or central commissaries, instead, our chefs and managers are expected to stay abreast of current culinary trends and bring cutting edge food into their cafes. We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the freedom to be creative, take risks, and truly shine. We are committed to our staff growing, trying new things, and learning all that they can. Our rapid growth and breadth of accounts translates into exciting opportunities for our people!

Job Summary

Bon Appétit Management Company is seeking a highly creative, strategic, and hands‑on Executive Chef to lead culinary operations across a dynamic, high‑profile corporate dining environment. This role oversees culinary execution across three kitchens spanning two accounts with approximately $8 million in managed volume, supporting a variety of dining programs, catering services, and hospitality experiences.

Reporting directly to the Culinary Director, the Executive Chef serves as a key culinary leader responsible for menu innovation, operational excellence, food safety compliance, financial performance, and team development. The ideal candidate combines strong administrative and business acumen with a genuine passion for cooking, spending time both leading from the kitchen floor and driving strategic culinary initiatives behind the scenes.

Success in this role requires a forward‑thinking chef who can balance creativity, operational discipline, and hospitality while delivering exceptional guest experiences that reflect Bon Appétit's commitment to fresh, seasonal, and from‑scratch cooking

Responsibilities

Culinary Leadership & Innovation

• Lead all culinary operations across three kitchens and multiple dining concepts, ensuring exceptional quality, consistency, and guest satisfaction.
• Develop and execute seasonal menus that showcase globally inspired cuisine with a strong emphasis on Asian flavors and contemporary culinary trends.
• Drive menu innovation through recipe development, food presentations, chef features, tasting events, and special culinary programs.
• Partner closely with the Culinary Director to implement strategic culinary initiatives and elevate the overall dining experience.
• Create innovative catering menus tailored to events ranging from intimate executive gatherings to functions serving up to 800 guests.
• Continuously evaluate dining programs and guest feedback to enhance participation, satisfaction, and overall food quality.

Operations & Food Safety

• Oversee all kitchen production, service execution, catering operations, and culinary standards across the account.
• Maintain strict compliance with HACCP protocols, allergen management procedures, food safety standards, and sanitation programs.
• Ensure consistency in food quality, presentation, production systems, and operational execution.
• Manage purchasing, receiving, inventory controls, and product utilization while minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency.
• Develop and maintain systems that support operational excellence and culinary consistency.

Financial & Business Management

• Manage culinary operations supporting approximately $8 million in annual volume.
• Write menus with a clear understanding of cost analysis, recipe development, and food cost optimization.
• Utilize COGS analysis and forecasting tools to maintain strong financial performance while delivering premium culinary experiences.
• Monitor food costs, labor expenses, purchasing trends, and operational metrics to achieve budgetary goals.
• Identify opportunities for operational improvements and cost efficiencies without compromising quality.
• Directly oversee a culinary team consisting of approximately 30 hourly associates and 1 salaried manager.
• Recruit, train, mentor, and develop culinary talent while fostering a culture of accountability, growth, and collaboration.
• Build high‑performing teams focused on culinary excellence, hospitality, and continuous improvement.
• Provide performance coaching, succession planning, and professional development opportunities for culinary team members.
• Lead by example through a visible, hands‑on management style that supports daily kitchen operations.

Client & Hospitality Engagement

• Partner with operational leadership and client stakeholders to deliver exceptional hospitality experiences.
• Support client meetings, presentations, tastings, and special events as the culinary subject matter expert.
• Actively engage with guests and incorporate feedback into menu development and dining enhancements.
• Serve as a culinary ambassador for Bon Appétit's food‑first culture and hospitality standards.

Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive culinary leadership experience, including Executive Chef or senior culinary management experience.
• Experience managing multi‑unit culinary operations in corporate dining, hospitality, restaurant, university, or luxury foodservice environments.
• Strong background in international cuisine, with experience or passion for Asian culinary traditions and flavors.
• Proven expertise in menu development, recipe costing, food cost management, and culinary innovation.
• Extensive knowledge of HACCP, allergen management, food safety, and sanitation best practices.
• Demonstrated success leading large culinary teams and developing future leaders.
• Experience managing catering programs ranging from small executive meetings to large‑scale events.
• Strong organizational, communication, financial, and relationship‑building skills.
• Ability to balance strategic leadership responsibilities with a hands‑on presence in daily operations.
• Passion for hospitality, creativity, team development, and delivering memorable dining experiences.

Associates at Bon Appetit are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• 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
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Personal Leave

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

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

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.

Bon Appetit maintains a drug‑free workplace.