Executive Chef

Compass Group, North America; Whippany (NJ); On-site; USD 95,000 - 100,000; 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 is seeking an Executive Chef in Whippany, NJ, to lead all culinary operations for a premier corporate dining program serving ~400 guests daily.

The role oversees menu development, kitchen leadership, and adherence to quality, sanitation, and safety standards in a high-profile environment, with a hands-on, creative approach to guest experiences.

Qualifications

• Requires A.S. or equivalent experience.
• 3–5 years progressive culinary/kitchen management experience.
• Ability to work a Monday–Friday 6:00 AM–3:00 PM schedule with occasional events.
• Catering experience required.
• Expertise across diverse cuisines and culinary techniques; leadership in elevated corporate dining.

Responsibilities

• Plan regular and modified menus per guidelines.
• Follow standardized recipes, portions, and presentation standards.
• Train kitchen staff in food prep, safety, and sanitation.
• Maintain cleaning and maintenance schedules for equipment and areas.
• Manage inventory to stay within guidelines while ensuring availability.
• Decide on leftover food utilization within company guidelines.
• Ensure compliance with health and sanitation regulations.
• Follow safety policies and participate in meetings and programs.

Skills

Culinary management

Catering experience

Hands-on chef

Menu planning

Diverse cuisines

Food safety

Microsoft Office

ServSafe certification

Education

AS or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

ServSafe certified

Job description

Restaurant Associates

Position Title: Executive Chef

Salary: $95,000 - $100,000/Yr

Other Forms of Compensation: Benefits

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:

Join Restaurant Associates as an Executive Chef at a premier corporate dining account in Whippany, NJ , serving a professional office and distribution environment with a daily population of approximately 400 guests.

As Executive Chef, you will lead all culinary operations for a high-profile dining program, delivering exceptional food quality, presentation, and hospitality standards. The ideal candidate brings expertise across diverse cuisines and culinary techniques, a passion for innovation, and experience executing elevated corporate dining experiences, including weekly Chef Table programs and company-sponsored culinary initiatives.

You will oversee kitchen operations, ensure a safe and sanitary work environment, develop and execute menus aligned with corporate programs and guidelines, and mentor a culinary team committed to excellence. This role requires a hands‑on leader who can balance operational discipline with creativity while consistently exceeding guest expectations in a premier workplace dining setting.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plans regular and modified menus according to established guidelines

• Follows standardized recipes, portioning and presentation standards. Completes and utilizes daily production worksheets and waste log sheets. Tastes completed meals to ensure quality

• Trains kitchen staff in food preparation, safe handling, operation of equipment, food safety and sanitation based on Company and regulatory standards

• Establishes and maintains cleaning and maintenance schedules for equipment, storage and work areas. Ensures that kitchen staff follows and completes schedules as assigned

• Maintains inventory of food and non-food supplies to stay within established guidelines while assuring that necessary product is available when needed

• Makes all decisions regarding utilization of leftover food products staying within Company guidelines for such products

• Complies with federal, state, and local health and sanitation regulations and department sanitation procedures as evidenced through local health department and third‑party audits

• Follows facility, department, and Company safety policies and procedures to include occurrence reporting

• Participates and attends departmental meetings, staff development, and professional programs, as appropriate

What We're Looking for:

• A.S. or equivalent experience

• Minimum of three to five years of progressive culinary/kitchen management experience, depending upon formal degree or training

• Must be able to work a Monday-Friday 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM schedule, with occasional evening events and seasonal weekend support.

• Must be flexible during the holiday season to support catering events.

• Catering experience required

• Expertise across diverse cuisines and culinary techniques, a passion for innovation, and experience executing elevated experiences

• High‑volume, complex foodservice operations experience - highly desirable

• Hands‑on chef experience is a must

• Comprehensive knowledge of food and catering trends with a focus on quality, production, sanitation, food cost controls, and presentation

• Must be experienced with computers, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), Outlook, email, and the Internet

• ServSafe certified - highly desirable

Restaurant Associates is a member of Compass Group USA

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/

Associates at Restaurant Associates are offered many fantastic 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, click here (https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_RA.pdf) 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

Restaurant Associates