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Executive Chef

Salary: $95,000 - $115,000

Other Forms of Compensation: Bonus Plan 

 

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

At Wolfgang Puck Catering, we believe exceptional food experiences bring people together. We are seeking an experienced and collaborative Executive Chef to lead culinary operations at The California Endowment. This role is ideal for a culinary professional who enjoys balancing high-quality catering and banquet execution with café and day-to-day foodservice operations.
 
As Executive Chef, you will oversee kitchen operations, inspire and develop a team, maintain food and safety standards, and deliver memorable dining experiences. This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while working in a dynamic environment that values creativity, hospitality, and operational excellence.
 
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead daily kitchen operations, ensuring high standards of food quality, presentation, safety, and service.
  • Plan and execute regular and specialty menus aligned with client expectations and company standards.
  • Prepare or oversee the preparation of meals using standardized recipes, portion controls, and presentation guidelines.
  • Review production records, utilization reports, and waste logs to support operational efficiency.
  • Taste and evaluate menu items to ensure consistency and guest satisfaction.
  • Recruit, train, coach, and develop culinary team members while fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace culture.
  • Provide leadership and direction to a culinary team, including supervising associates.
  • Establish and maintain cleaning, sanitation, and preventive maintenance programs for kitchen equipment and workspaces.
  • Manage food, beverage, and supply inventories while supporting budget and food cost objectives.
  • Make informed decisions regarding product utilization and waste reduction in alignment with company guidelines.
  • Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local health, safety, and sanitation regulations.
  • Partner with operations leadership and client stakeholders to support catering events, meetings, and special functions.
  • Participate in team meetings, training initiatives, and professional development opportunities.

What You'll Bring

  • Progressive culinary leadership experience in hospitality, corporate dining, catering, restaurants, hotels, or related foodservice environments.
  • Strong background in business and industry (B&I) dining, corporate foodservice, or similar managed services operations.
  • Experience leading large-scale banquet, catering, or event operations.
  • Hands-on cooking expertise, including both high-volume production and café or short-order service environments.
  • Demonstrated experience managing, coaching, and developing culinary teams.
  • Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, inventory management, and cost controls.
  • Ability to balance operational priorities while maintaining a guest-focused approach.
  • Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
  • Comfort using Microsoft Office applications, Outlook, email, and internet-based systems.
  • Associate degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
  • Extensive catering and special events experience.
  • Experience within high-volume, complex foodservice operations.
  • Knowledge of institutional or batch cooking practices.
  • ServSafe Certification or equivalent food safety certification.
  • Experience working in a union environment.
  • Familiarity with labor management and scheduling within unionized operations.

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 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_WPC.pdf

Req ID: 1556439

Wolfgang Puck Catering 

Michael Abbey 

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

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