Traveling Chef- Madison, WI

Compass Group USA; Madison (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

FSAs

Job summary

Canteen, a division of Compass Group USA, is seeking a Traveling Chef to support culinary operations across multiple locations and client accounts. This role serves as a culinary leader, trainer, and operational partner responsible for elevating food quality, driving innovation, supporting new business initiatives, and developing culinary talent throughout the region.

Extensive travel is required. The ideal candidate is hands‑on, thrives in a fast‑paced environment, mentors others, and is

Qualifications

• Culinary degree preferred.
• 5+ years of culinary leadership experience within catering, corporate dining, hospitality, restaurant, or contract foodservice environments.
• Minimum 2 years of multi‑unit or multi‑site culinary leadership experience.
• Strong experience supporting high‑volume food production and 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, communication, and relationship‑building skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively throughout the assigned region.

Responsibilities

• Travel extensively to support multiple dining, catering, and hospitality operations throughout the region.
• Provide hands‑on culinary leadership and support during account launches, transitions, staffing gaps, and special events.
• Coach, train, 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 multiple 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 and initiatives in partnership with Canteen's culinary and marketing teams.
• Conduct operational assessments and develop action plans to enhance quality, consistency, and financial performance.
• Support high‑profile catering events and client engagements as needed.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

Culinary degree

Job description

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• Pay Range: 60,000.00- 70,000.00
  *Internal Employee Referral Bonus Available

The advertised program is a conversational recruiting assistant that helps you apply to jobs with Compass Group. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to opt out or HELP for help. Terms and conditions: http://olivia.paradox.ai/moSkg

About Canteen:

Canteen brings break time to everyone. We combine food, service, and experience backed by industry-leading technology to help companies create a better workplace and connect their employees. Canteen’s solutions include markets, office coffee and snacks, unattended retail, and culinary.

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their dedication, collaboration, and passion fuel our growth. Interested in joining our team? You bring the enthusiasm, customer service, and commitment; we’ll supply the opportunity and innovation. Together, we’ll continue to transform our industry.

Come for the job, stay for the career. We are Canteen.

Job Summary

Cuisines Culinary & Catering is seeking a dynamic and highly skilled Traveling Chef to support culinary operations across multiple locations and client accounts. This role serves as a culinary leader, trainer, and operational partner responsible for elevating food quality, driving innovation, supporting new business initiatives, and developing culinary talent throughout the region. Extensive travel is required to support account openings, training initiatives, catering events, operational assessments, and ongoing culinary development.

The ideal candidate is a hands‑on culinary professional who thrives in a fast‑paced environment, enjoys mentoring others, and is passionate about delivering exceptional dining and catering experiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Travel extensively to support multiple dining, catering, and hospitality operations throughout the region.
• Provide hands‑on culinary leadership and support during account launches, transitions, staffing gaps, and special events.
• Coach, train, 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 multiple 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 and initiatives in partnership with Canteen's culinary and marketing teams.
• Conduct operational assessments and develop action plans to enhance quality, consistency, and financial performance.
• Support high‑profile catering events and client engagements as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Culinary degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of culinary leadership experience within catering, corporate dining, hospitality, restaurant, or contract foodservice environments.
• Minimum 2 years of multi‑unit or multi‑site culinary leadership experience.
• Strong experience supporting high‑volume food production and 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, communication, and relationship‑building skills.
• Experience implementing culinary standards and driving operational improvements across multiple locations.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively throughout the assigned region.

Associates at Canteen are offered many fantastic benefits.

Full‑time and part‑time positions offer the following benefits to associates

Retirement Plan, Associate Shopping Program, Health and Wellness Programs, Discount Marketplace, Identity Theft Protection, Pet Insurance, Voluntary Benefits, including Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance, Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Legal Services, and Choice Auto and Home Program

Full‑time positions also offer the following benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance/AD, Disability Insurance, Commuter Benefits, Employee Assistance Program,Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).

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, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

About Compass Group: Achieving leadership in the foodservice industry

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.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Canteen maintains a drug‑free workplace.