Catering Executive Chef

Catering Executing Chef | High-End Corporate Dining | Menlo Park, CA

Lead the Future of Food Service

Sodexo is seeking a Catering Executive Chef who’s ready to elevate high-profile corporate events, bespoke VIP banquets, and large-scale catering operations across a diverse portfolio of premier client locations. This role goes far beyond overseeing a kitchen — it’s about shaping unforgettable event experiences, inspiring cross-functional teams, and building strategic partnerships that redefine what corporate catering can be.

As our Catering Executive Chef, you will be the culinary heartbeat of the district’s event operations, responsible for redefining the corporate event experience through custom menu engineering, seasonal sourcing, and guest-centric hospitality. Far from standard corporate dining, this portfolio relies on cutting-edge food trends, flawless event execution, and rigorous operational standards for high-volume banquets.

In this leadership role, you will inspire and mentor kitchen and service teams, drive culinary excellence under tight event timelines, and manage food costs, logistics, and safety compliance, ensuring we deliver best-in-class dining experiences every single day. At the core of this excellence is an unwavering commitment to food safety, where upholding the highest standards of sanitation ensures our guests enjoy every event with absolute confidence and peace of mind.

Why This Role Matters

This is your opportunity to lead, mentor, and inspire culinary teams who are passionate about great food, impeccable event service, and memorable experiences. As Catering Executive Chef, you’ll have the platform to elevate our culinary identity and transform high-profile catering—driving menu innovation, strengthening client relationships through exceptional hospitality, and developing the next generation of event-focused culinary leaders.

If you’re energized by culinary leadership, a service-driven kitchen culture, and the chance to shape the future of corporate hospitality and events, this role gives you the space to make a lasting mark on the plate and in the district.

• Master the Back-of-House: Take full ownership of strategic purchasing, inventory, and food cost analysis. You’ll use your expertise in production forecasting to keep the kitchen running like a well-oiled machine.

• Elevate Culinary Standards: Ensure every plate meets the client expectations. From recipes to top-tier food quality, you’ll be the guardian of the culinary experience.

• Inspire Your Brigade: Lead with passion. You’ll develop and motivate your team to embrace bold culinary innovations and stay ahead of global food trends.

• Uphold Safety & Sanitation Standards: Enforce rigorous food safety, HACCP compliance, and a zero-compromise kitchen environment by championing meticulous cleanliness, strict sanitation audits, and daily adherence to the highest regulatory health and safety standards across all client locations.

Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
• 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
• Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement

More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.

• Culinary Artistry: A rock-solid background in high-end kitchens and a finger on the pulse of modern food trends. You don’t just follow the curve; you stay ahead of it.

• Visionary Leadership: Exceptional communication skills and the authority to command a kitchen while maintaining uncompromising culinary standards.

• Team Leader: A natural talent for coaching and helping others grow. You know how to take a talented crew and turn them into a high-performance unit.

• Fuel for Innovation: A genuine, infectious passion for food. You thrive on experimenting with new flavors and bringing creative concepts to life.

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.

Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.

Minimum Education Requirement - Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience

Minimum Management Experience - 3 years   

Minimum Functional Experience - 3 years work experience in food or culinary services including restaurants, fast food, vending, catering services, institutional services, mall food courts, etc.