Traveling Chef- Milwaukee, WI

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

Internal Employee Referral Bonus Available

Pay Range: 60,000.00- 70,000.00

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.

Benefits

• Retirement Plan
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Legal ServicesChoice Auto and Home Program
• 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.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_Canteen.pdf

About Compass Group

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.

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Canteen maintains a drug‑free workplace.