Traveling Chef: Culinary Leader & Menu Innovator

Canteen North America; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement Plan

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet Insurance

Voluntary Benefits

Critical Illness Insurance

Accident Insurance

Hospital Indemnity Insurance

Legal Services

Job summary

Canteen is seeking a Traveling Chef to lead culinary operations across multiple locations and client accounts. The role requires hands-on leadership, mentorship of chefs, and ongoing culinary development throughout the region.

The ideal candidate travels extensively, drives menu innovation, coaches teams, and partners with local culinary leaders to ensure high quality and cost controls. This full-time role offers growth within a dynamic foodservice environment.

Qualifications

• Culinary degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of culinary leadership in catering/corporate dining.
• Minimum 2 years multi-site culinary leadership experience.
• Experience in high-volume food production & catering operations.
• Proven ability to coach, train and develop culinary talent.
• Experience managing food costs, labor costs, purchasing, and inventory controls.
• Working knowledge of HACCP, food safety, and sanitation programs.
• Strong organizational and communication skills; relationship-building.
• Experience implementing culinary standards across multiple locations.
• Willingness to travel extensively in the assigned region.

Responsibilities

• Travel extensively to support multiple dining, catering, and hospitality operations.
• Provide hands-on culinary leadership and support during launches, transitions, staffing gaps, and events.
• Coach and mentor chefs and culinary teams on food quality, presentation, execution, and best practices.
• Drive culinary innovation by introducing new menus, recipes, catering offerings, and industry trends.
• Partner with local culinary leaders to improve operational performance, consistency, and guest satisfaction.
• Support menu development, food production planning, and catering execution across locations.
• Assist locations with inventory management, purchasing, food cost controls, and labor efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with HACCP, food safety, sanitation, and company standards.
• Roll out new culinary programs in partnership with culinary and marketing teams.
• Conduct operational assessments and develop action plans to enhance quality and financial performance.
• Support high-profile catering events and client engagements as needed.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Team coaching

Menu development

Travel willingness

Cost controls

Education

Culinary degree preferred

Job description

Canteen is seeking a Traveling Chef to lead culinary operations across multiple locations and client accounts. The role requires hands-on leadership, mentorship of chefs, and ongoing culinary development throughout the region.

The ideal candidate travels extensively, drives menu innovation, coaches teams, and partners with local culinary leaders to ensure high quality and cost controls. This full-time role offers growth within a dynamic foodservice environment.