Traveling Support Chef (IL & MI)

Compass Group USA; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Vision

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plan

Holiday Time Off

Associate Shopping Program

Health and Wellness Programs

Job summary

Canteen is seeking a Traveling Support Chef to provide culinary leadership and operational support across multiple client locations in IL and MI for approximately 16 accounts. The role ensures food quality, supports culinary teams, executes catering events, and maintains client satisfaction during staffing changes and transitions.

The ideal candidate has hands-on kitchen experience, adapts quickly, and thrives in a fast-paced environment while supporting diverse operations and teams.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of culinary management experience (implied by role)
• Hands-on Chef/Sous Chef experience required
• Experience with menu planning, food production, inventory management, and food cost controls
• Experience in high-volume food production preferred
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Excel
• Strong communication and organizational skills

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on culinary leadership at assigned locations.
• Maintain high standards for food quality, presentation, sanitation, and customer satisfaction.
• Support accounts during staffing shortages and operational transitions.
• Assist with menu planning, food production, purchasing, and inventory management.
• Execute catering events and special functions.
• Monitor food costs and assist in controlling account costs.
• Train and support culinary team members on food preparation and safety.
• Travel regularly to support multiple accounts within the assigned territory.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Hands-on Chef

Food safety

Menu planning

Catering events

Team training

Adaptability

Education

Associate’s degree in culinary arts

Tools

Excel

Job description

Salary: $65,000 - $70,000 a/year, depending on experience

Other Forms of Compensation:Yearly Bonus Opportunity & Company Vehicle provided!!!

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 grow with us. We are Canteen.

Job Summary:

As a Traveling Support Chef, you will provide culinary leadership and operational support across multiple client locations within IL & MI for approximately 16 clients. This role is responsible for maintaining food quality, supporting culinary teams, executing catering events, and ensuring client and customer satisfaction during staffing shortages, business transitions, special projects, and account support assignments.

We are seeking a culinary professional with strong hands‑on kitchen experience who understands how to support management teams while delivering excellent culinary service.

The ideal candidate is adaptable, customer‑focused, and thrives in a fast‑paced environment while supporting diverse operations and teams.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide hands‑on culinary leadership and support at assigned locations.
• Maintain high standards for food quality, presentation, sanitation, and customer satisfaction.
• Support accounts during staffing shortages, vacations, leaves of absence, and operational transitions.
• Assist with menu planning, food production, purchasing, and inventory management.
• Execute catering events and special functions.
• Monitor food costs and assist in controlling account costs.
• Train and support culinary team members on food preparation, safety, and operational standards.
• Implement culinary programs and initiatives in partnership with operations and marketing teams.
• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations and company policies.
• Travel regularly to support multiple accounts within the assigned territory.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 3 years of culinary management experience required.
• Hands‑on Chef or Sous Chef experience required.
• Experience supporting management teams while maintaining high culinary and service standards.
• Experience in restaurants, hotels, corporate dining, healthcare, education, military, hospitality, or related food service operations.
• Experience with menu planning, food production, inventory management, and food cost controls.
• Catering and special event experience preferred.
• Experience with high‑volume food production is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation, quality standards, and culinary trends.
• ServSafe Certification preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel.
• Associate’s degree in culinary arts or equivalent experience preferred.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to adapt quickly to new environments and teams.

Travel Requirements:

• Ability to travel extensively within the assigned region.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule and sometimes include occasional evenings, weekends, and overnight travel based on business need.

Canteen 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.

Canteen maintains a drug‑free workplace.

Associates at Canteenare offered many fantastic benefits.

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