Senior Banquet Chef

Salary: $75,000 - $90,000

Other Forms of Compensation:  

 

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

Wolfgang Puck Catering is seeking a Senior Banquet Chef to support the culinary leadership team at the renowned Crystal Bridges. This dynamic operation delivers more than 500 events annually, including large-scale outdoor celebrations, weddings, galas, corporate functions, museum events, and exclusive private experiences.
 
In this role, you will partner closely with the Director of Culinary to lead banquet and catering production across different event settings. The ideal candidate brings a passion for hospitality, strong banquet execution skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment where creativity, quality, and flawless event delivery are essential.
 
This is an outstanding opportunity for a culinary professional who enjoys high-volume event production, collaborative leadership, and creating memorable guest experiences.
 
Key Responsibilities
  • Partner with the Culinary Team to oversee daily culinary operations for banquet, catering, and special event functions.
  • Lead food production and execution for a diverse portfolio of events, including weddings, galas, corporate events, outdoor functions, and VIP experiences.
  • Ensure compliance with all food safety, sanitation, ServSafe, HACCP, and workplace safety standards.
  • Train, coach, and develop culinary team members while fostering a collaborative and inclusive kitchen culture.
  • Support staffing, scheduling, and labor management to ensure successful event execution.
  • Assist with menu implementation, event production planning, ordering, inventory management, and food preparation.
  • Maintain high culinary standards through exceptional food quality, presentation, consistency, and guest satisfaction.
  • Monitor food costs, inventory levels, waste management, and purchasing practices to support operational goals.
  • Collaborate with culinary and marketing teams to introduce new offerings, seasonal menus, and innovative event experiences.
  • Provide hands-on leadership during high-volume service periods and large-scale campus events.
  • Support continuous improvement efforts related to operational efficiency, guest experience, and team development.

What We're Looking For

  • Degree in Culinary Arts, Food Service Management, Hospitality, or a related field; equivalent culinary training and experience will also be considered.
  • Experience leading culinary operations within banquet, catering, hotel, resort, convention center, country club, or high-volume event environments.
  • Strong knowledge of multiple kitchen stations, banquet production, and large-scale event execution.
  • Understanding of food costing, purchasing, inventory control, and quality management.
  • Knowledge of food safety regulations and sanitation best practices.
  • Current ServSafe certification or the ability to obtain certification.
  • Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to adapt quickly, prioritize effectively, and perform successfully in fast-paced environments.
  • Experience supporting large-scale catering and special events operations.
  • Familiarity with off-premise catering logistics, outdoor events, and multi-venue production environments.
  • HACCP certification or additional food safety credentials.
  • Passion for culinary innovation, contemporary food trends, and creative presentation techniques.
  • Experience leading, mentoring, and developing diverse culinary teams.

Apply to Wolfgang Puck Catering today!

Wolfgang Puck Catering is a member of Compass Group USA

Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story

 

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. 

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

Associates at Wolfgang Puck Catering are offered many fantastic benefits.

  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Life Insurance/ AD
  • Disability Insurance
  • Retirement Plan
  • Paid Time Off
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
  • Personal Leave
  • Associate Shopping Program
  • Health and Wellness Programs
  • Discount Marketplace
  • Identity Theft Protection
  • Pet Insurance
  • Commuter Benefits
  • 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 lawsFor 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_WPC.pdf

Req ID: 1555013

Wolfgang Puck Catering 

Michael Abbey 

[[req_classification]] 


Nearest Major Market: Fayetteville

Job Segment: Banquet, Food Service, Chef, Culinary, Event Planning, Hospitality