Lead Event Chef

Puff 'n Stuff Catering and Events; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Puff 'n Stuff Catering and Events in Tampa is seeking a dynamic Lead Event Chef to lead our back-of-house teams at off-site catering events. You would manage, motivate, and develop culinary staff on your event while collaborating with the Event Supervisor to ensure service is exceptional and the event runs on time.

You will supervise on-site crew, oversee food preparation, heating, plating, and ensure adherence to safety standards.

Qualifications

• 2 years of culinary leadership experience in catering or restaurant.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate a kitchen team.
• Excellent communication and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Supervise on-site culinary team members and verify attendance/uniforms.
• Direct unloading and setup of culinary areas and workstations.
• Lead the team to prepare, heat, plate and garnish per event timeline and SEO.
• Ensure food safety procedures are followed before, during, and after events.
• Coordinate with Event Supervisor to load necessary food and equipment.
• Transport to/from event in company vehicle with Event Supervisor.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Leadership

Communication

Food safety (HACCP)

Fluent English

Job description

Are you a dynamic leader with a passion for food, customer service, and operational excellence. Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where creativity and trust are at the heart of everything you do. If so, we want you to join our team as a Lead Event Chef at Puff ‘n Stuff, a premier catering company dedicated to delivering exceptional experiences.

At Puff ‘n Stuff, we don’t just cater events—we create memorable experiences. Our team is driven by four core values:

• Passion: We love what we do and take pride in delivering exceptional food and service.
• Customer Focus: We go above and beyond to exceed client expectations.
• Trust: We build lasting relationships with clients, partners, and team members through integrity and reliability.
• Creativity: We embrace innovation to craft unique culinary and event experiences.

Job Overview

Puff 'n Stuff is looking for talented, organized chefs to lead our back of house teams at off-site catering events and "passionately perfect life's celebrations." As a Lead Event Chef, you would be responsible for managing, leading, and motivating the culinary staff on your event as well as collaborating with the Event Supervisor to ensure service is exception and the event runs on time. You would also communicate with your team to make sure everything is prepared on time and at top quality. Each day brings different events with unique requirements, so critical thinking and organizational skills are a must -along with the ability to be flexible when necessary in order to exceed our customer's expectations of exceptional service.

Basics

• Supervise on-site culinary team members, verify attendance, and verify uniforms are properly worn by the team at all times
• Direct unloading and setup of culinary areas and workstations including mobile kitchens
• Demonstrate positive leadership, giving the team feedback and coaching regularly
• Lead your team to prepare, heat, plate and garnish the correct quantities of food in accordance with the event timeline and Special Event Order (SEO)
• Ensure entire team follows safe food handling procedures before, during and after event
• Work with Event Supervisor to make sure all necessary food and equipment you need for the event, listed on the SEO, gets loaded on the truck
• Drive to and from the event in the company truck with the Event Supervisor

Qualifications

• 2 years of culinary leadership experience in catering or restaurant, preferably in high volume, upscale environment
• Working knowledge of all cooking techniques including, but not limited to, grilling, roasting, and baking for fish, steak, poultry, and pork.
• Proficient with batch, quantity cooking and proper heating, holding and plating techniques.
• Familiar with HACCP and health department guidelines
• Outstanding attention to detailwith the ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to regularly lift, move, and carry up to 50lbs (each shift will begin with unloading necessary equipment for the day, and end with re-loading)
• Strong leadership and Communication skills. Has a leadership style that is developmental vs. policing, promotes a culture of dialogue, role models values and practices of the company
• Speak English fluently, excellent written and verbal communication skills
• FL Driver's License and clean driving record