Party Chef

Green Apple; New York (NY); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Green Apple in New York is looking for a Party Chef to perform live cooking at high-energy catering events. This role combines culinary craft with guest entertainment, requiring presentation skills and experience.

Ideal candidates should have 2+ years of experience and an NYC Food Handler's Certificate. Successful chefs will engage directly with guests and work with a flexible schedule, often on evenings and weekends.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of professional cooking experience in catering, restaurant, or hotel.
• Comfort and confidence cooking in front of a live audience.
• Strong knife skills and time management are essential.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and finish dishes at live food stations during events.
• Maintain food safety and sanitation standards in temporary setups.
• Interact with guests in a professional manner.

Skills

Technical cooking skills

Strong knife skills

Station organization

Time management

Flexibility with scheduling

Education

NYC Food Handler's Certificate

2+ years professional cooking experience

Job description

Party Chef — Cook Live at NYC's Most High-Energy Catering Events

This isn't a kitchen job. It's a performance. Green Apple Catering & Events is looking for Party Chefs who can cook on-site at live events — carving stations, stir-fry woks, pasta bars, taco setups — in front of guests who are watching every move. If you have the technical skills to execute a menu under pressure and the personality to do it in front of a crowd, this is one of the most exciting culinary roles in New York City catering.

On-Site Cooking That's Part Culinary Craft, Part Guest Entertainment

As a Party Chef, you'll prepare and finish dishes at live food stations during corporate events, galas, weddings, and private parties across New York City. You'll work from a prep list built by our executive culinary team and execute it at the event venue — often in an open format where guests can see and interact with you. Presentation, speed, and consistency are all equally important.

• Execute live cooking stations including carving, saute, grill, wok, and pasta
• Prepare components on-site and finish dishes to order during service
• Maintain food safety and sanitation standards in temporary kitchen setups
• Interact professionally with guests who approach the cooking station
• Coordinate with the Event Captain on service timing and replenishment
• Transport, set up, and break down all cooking equipment at the venue

Culinary Credentials That Matter for This Role

• 2+ years of professional cooking experience (catering, restaurant, or hotel)
• Comfort and confidence cooking in front of a live audience
• NYC Food Handler's Certificate (or ability to obtain one promptly)
• Strong knife skills, station organization, and time management
• Physical stamina to work on your feet for 6-10 hours in event environments
• Flexibility with scheduling — events often run evenings and weekends

Cook for a Team That Takes Food Seriously

Green Apple was founded in 2004 by professionals who believe catering should be as good as the best restaurants in New York. Our kitchen is DOHMH licensed and HACCP certified, and those standards travel with our Party Chefs to every venue. You'll cook for clients including Morgan Stanley, Cartier, and government agencies — events where food quality is a direct reflection of the host's judgment. This role gives you the chance to showcase your skills at venues and events most chefs never get to experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be cooking on-site or preparing food in advance?

Both. Some components are prepped in our commissary kitchen before the event, and you'll finish and plate dishes on-site at live cooking stations. The balance between prep and live cooking depends on the menu and event format.

What cuisines does Green Apple typically serve at events?

Our menus span a wide range — Mediterranean, Asian, Latin, American comfort, farm-to-table, and more. Party Chefs should be comfortable working across multiple cuisines and adapting to the specific menu designed for each event.

Do Party Chefs work with a sous chef or alone?

It depends on the event scale. At smaller events, you may run a station solo. At larger events serving 500+ guests, you'll work alongside other Party Chefs and kitchen assistants. The Event Captain coordinates staffing levels for each event.

What kitchen certifications are required?

An NYC Food Handler's Certificate is required. If you don't have one, you'll need to obtain it before your first event. HACCP awareness is a plus, as Green Apple follows HACCP protocols across all kitchen and on‑site operations.