Sous Chef

Compass Group USA; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Vision

Life Insurance/ AD

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Personal Leave

Associate Shopping Program

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Spending Accounts

Job summary

Wolfgang Puck Catering, part of Compass Group USA, is seeking a Sous Chef to support daily culinary operations for a corporate dining account and deliver outstanding catering experiences.

You will work closely with the Executive Chef on menu development, culinary execution, team leadership, and operational excellence in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience in culinary operations, kitchen leadership, or foodservice management.
• Catering, banquet, or event culinary experience is welcomed.
• Experience in high-volume foodservice environments preferred.
• Knowledge of food production, menu planning, food safety, sanitation, and cost management.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Executive Chef to support daily culinary operations and ensure consistent food quality and presentation.
• Assist with menu planning, recipe development, and seasonal offerings reflecting client preferences and industry trends.
• Prepare, cook, and oversee the production of a wide variety of menu items.
• Support catering and special event execution, ensuring exceptional guest experiences.
• Help manage food costs, inventory, purchasing, and waste-reduction initiatives.
• Maintain high standards of food safety, sanitation, and workplace cleanliness.
• Provide guidance, coaching, and support to culinary team members to encourage engagement and development.
• Collaborate with culinary, operations, and marketing teams to introduce new programs, concepts, and dining experiences.
• Assist in monitoring operational performance and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Participate in client feedback and satisfaction initiatives to enhance dining experiences.

Skills

Culinary operations

Team leadership

Cost management

Food safety

Menu planning

Communication

Education

Associate degree in Culinary Arts or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Outlook

Job description

Other Forms of Compensation:Comprehensive Benefit Package

Where Passion Meets Purpose - and Careers Come Alive

At Wolfgang Puck Catering, great careers are crafted the same way great food is — with passion, intention, and the right people around you. We hire for curiosity, spirit, and heart, and we invest in everything you bring to the table. Through mentorship, real development, and a clear path to leadership, we're committed to your journey — not just your job title.Come be part of something that challenges and champions you in equal measure.

"I can have the best food, but if we don't have good people, it won't get you very far." — Wolfgang Puck

Success on our team starts with our culture:

• We have Wolfgang’s PASSION for our business, our product, and our people / guests / clients.
• A FLEXIBLE MINDSET is key; we are strategic business partners who wear multiple hats.
• Our services require a CONCIERGE mentality, a bias to action with humble hospitality.
• We are out-of-the-box PROBLEM SOLVERS, who look around corners so our clients and guests don’t have to.
• We curate company and partner resources to bring our client’s vision to life. We seek to cultivate the next generation of talent, purveyors and partnerships.
• We bring an entrepreneurial approach to deliver results for our clients (you might call this scrappy).
• Collaboration and openness to innovative business tools, new ways of thinking and ability to partner across departments are essential to create optimal business solutions.

“I can have the best food, but if we don’t have good people, it won’t get you very far.”

Job Summary

At Wolfgang Puck Catering, we create memorable dining experiences through exceptional food, hospitality, and innovation. As a Sous Chef, you will play an important role in supporting the day-to-day culinary operations of a corporate dining account while helping deliver outstanding catering and event experiences.

Working closely with the Executive Chef, you will contribute to menu development, culinary execution, team leadership, and operational excellence. This role is ideal for a culinary professional who enjoys a fast-paced environment, values collaboration, and is passionate about creating high-quality food experiences for guests and clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with the Executive Chef to support daily culinary operations and ensure consistent food quality and presentation.
• Assist with menu planning, recipe development, and seasonal offerings that reflect client preferences and industry trends.
• Prepare, cook, and oversee the production of a wide variety of menu items.
• Support catering and special event execution, ensuring exceptional guest experiences.
• Help manage food costs, inventory, purchasing, and waste-reduction initiatives.
• Maintain high standards of food safety, sanitation, and workplace cleanliness.
• Provide guidance, coaching, and support to culinary team members to encourage engagement and development.
• Collaborate with culinary, operations, and marketing teams to introduce new programs, concepts, and dining experiences.
• Assist in monitoring operational performance and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Participate in client feedback and satisfaction initiatives to help enhance the overall dining experience.

What We're Looking For

• Associate degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience in culinary operations, kitchen leadership, or foodservice management.
• Catering, banquet, or event culinary experience is welcomed.
• Experience working in high-volume foodservice environments is preferred.
• Knowledge of food production, menu planning, food safety, sanitation, and cost management practices.
• Familiarity with institutional, commissary, or batch cooking environments is beneficial.
• Passion for culinary innovation, hospitality, and delivering exceptional guest experiences.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Collaborative communication skills with a focus on teamwork, coaching, and relationship building.
• Comfort using technology, including Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook, email, and internet-based applications.
• Willingness to participate in client engagement and satisfaction programs.
• ServSafe Certification or the ability to obtain certification.
• Experience supporting corporate dining, hospitality, catering, or events operations.
• Knowledge of current culinary, sustainability, and foodservice trends.
• Experience contributing to menu innovation and special event execution.

Wolfgang Puck Catering 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.

Associates at Wolfgang Puck Catering are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Personal Leave
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Wolfgang Puck Catering maintains a drugfree 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, copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.