Executive Chef Eckerd College

Compass Group USA; Saint Petersburg (FL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

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

Job summary

Bon Appétit Management Company at Eckerd College seeks an Executive Chef to lead culinary operations for a vibrant campus dining program. You will mentor teams, develop seasonal menus, ensure food quality and safety, and collaborate with campus partners to deliver memorable dining experiences.

This role requires progressive leadership, strong cost control, and a commitment to Fresh, Local ingredients and service excellence.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality, or related field.
• Progressive culinary leadership experience in foodservice, hospitality, higher education or similar.
• Experience managing high-volume and complex operations.
• Strong hands-on culinary skills with commitment to quality and innovation.
• Knowledge of menu development, production, labor, inventory and cost management.
• Experience supporting catering and special events is valued.
• Understanding of institutional cooking and large-scale production environments.
• Knowledge of current culinary trends and food safety practices.
• Commitment to food safety, sanitation, and operational excellence.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships across teams and clients.
• Strong communication, organization and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, email and web-based systems.
• ServSafe Certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and daily oversight for all kitchen and culinary operations.
• Develop and execute seasonal, regular and specialty menus aligned with standards.
• Ensure consistent recipe execution, portion control, food quality and presentation.
• Review production planning, monitor waste reduction and support cost goals.
• Taste and evaluate finished products to ensure quality and guest satisfaction.
• Coach, train and support culinary team members in food prep, safety and sanitation.
• Foster a positive, inclusive team culture focused on learning and development.
• Establish cleaning, maintenance and sanitation schedules for equipment and spaces.
• Manage inventory levels to support operations while maintaining budget.
• Oversee use of excess/leftover food per company guidelines.
• Ensure compliance with health regulations and safety standards.
• Support health department inspections and third-party audits.
• Promote workplace safety and adherence to policies and procedures.
• Partner with campus leadership and dining stakeholders to enhance guest experience.
• Participate in meetings, professional development opportunities and initiatives.

Skills

Leadership experience

Communication

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Microsoft Office

Education

Associate degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality or related

ServSafe Certification preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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Other Forms of Compensation: Comprehensive Benefit Package

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

At Bon Appétit, food is more than a meal. It is an opportunity to create memorable dining experiences, build community, and support sustainability through fresh, locally sourced ingredients. As Executive Chef at Eckerd College, you will lead culinary operations for a vibrant campus community while fostering a culture of creativity, food quality, safety, and continuous improvement.

Eckerd College offers a dynamic environment where innovation and hospitality come together. In this role, you will collaborate with campus partners and culinary teams to deliver exceptional dining experiences, mentor team members, and help shape a dining program that reflects Bon Appétit's commitment to fresh, authentic food and service excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and daily oversight for all kitchen and culinary operations.
• Develop and execute seasonal, regular, and specialty menus aligned with Bon Appétit's culinary standards and client expectations.
• Ensure consistent recipe execution, portion control, food quality, and presentation standards.
• Review production planning, monitor waste reduction initiatives, and support food cost management goals.
• Taste and evaluate finished products to ensure quality and guest satisfaction.
• Coach, train, and support culinary team members in food preparation techniques, equipment operation, food safety, and sanitation practices.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and engaged team culture focused on learning and development.
• Establish and maintain cleaning, maintenance, and sanitation schedules for kitchen equipment, storage areas, and workspaces.
• Manage food and non-food inventory levels to support operational needs while maintaining budget expectations.
• Oversee the appropriate utilization of excess and leftover food in accordance with company guidelines.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local health regulations, as well as company food safety and sanitation standards.
• Support successful health department inspections and third-party audits.
• Promote workplace safety and adherence to all facility and company policies and procedures.
• Partner with campus leadership and dining stakeholders to enhance the overall guest experience.
• Participate in meetings, professional development opportunities, and company initiatives.

What We're Looking For

• Associate degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Progressive culinary leadership experience within foodservice, hospitality, higher education, restaurant, catering, or similar environments.
• Experience managing high-volume and complex foodservice operations.
• Strong hands-on culinary skills with a commitment to food quality and innovation.
• Knowledge of menu development, food production, labor management, inventory control, and cost management.
• Experience supporting catering and special event operations is valued.
• Understanding of institutional cooking, batch cooking, and large-scale food production environments.
• Knowledge of current culinary, nutrition, and dining trends.
• Commitment to food safety, sanitation, and operational excellence.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships across teams and client groups.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Comfort using Microsoft Office applications, email, and web-based systems.
• ServSafe Certification or the ability to obtain certification is preferred.

Bon Appetit is a member of Compass Group USA.

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

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.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Bon Appetit maintains a drug-free workplace.