Catering Chef Jobs
Catering Chef jobs are open across corporate dining, hospitality, healthcare foodservice, and event venues, at every level from prep cook to executive catering chef, with specializations in large-scale event production, dietary-restricted menus, and off-site kitchen operations. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Catering Chef JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 106+ Catering Chef jobs
Overview:
Job Description Summary:
Plans, prepares, and cooks hot and cold foods for catered functions, taking into account dietary restrictions and ensuring that high quality and safety standards are met.
Job Description:
Essential Functions:
- Plans and prepares menus for catered functions with the Senior Catering Coordinator.
- Oversees the daily production activities, including purchasing, preparation, cooking, and service of food.
- Collaborates with Senior Purchasing Coordinator to manage inventory and order supplies, ensuring that the kitchen is well-stocked and that expenses are within budget.
- Trains kitchen staff in food preparation, safety, and sanitation procedures.
- Assists in the set-up, service, and break-down of catered functions.
- Receives feedback and researches new recipes and methods to continually expand culinary knowledge and skills.
- Maintains a clean and organized kitchen environment in compliance with health and safety regulations.
Education Requirement:
High School Graduate or equivalent, required.
Licensure Requirement:
(not specified)
Certifications:
(not specified)
Skills:
- Ability to measure accurately and perform basic math skills.
- Familiarity with personal computer and nutrition-related software, preferred.
- Skill in proper operation of food production equipment (ovens, vertical cutter mixer, etc.).
- Effective verbal communication skills required in interactions with department staff.
Experience:
Two years of experience as a full-service restaurant line cook, caterer or room service cook, required.
Physical Requirements:
OCCASIONALLY: Climb stairs/ladder, Color vision, Computer skills, Fume /Gases /Vapors, Hot Temperatures, Lifting / Carrying: 41-60 lbs, Loud Noises, Pushing / Pulling: 100 lbs or greater with assistance, Sitting
FREQUENTLY: Audible speech, Decision Making, Flexing/extending of neck, Hearing acuity, Interpreting Data, Lifting / Carrying: 11-20 lbs, Lifting / Carrying: 21-40 lbs, Problem solving, Pushing / Pulling: 0-25 lbs, Pushing / Pulling: 26-40 lbs, Pushing / Pulling: 41-60 lbs, Pushing / Pulling: 61-100 lbs, Reaching above shoulder
CONTINUOUSLY: Bend/twist, Depth perception, Hand use: grasping, gripping, turning, Lifting / Carrying: 0-10 lbs, Peripheral vision, Repetitive hand/arm use, Seeing – Far/near, Squat/kneel, Standing, Walking
Additional Physical Requirements performed but not listed above:
(not specified)
"The above list of duties is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this classification. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties performed by the individuals so classified, nor is it intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under their supervision. EOE M/F/Disability/Vet"
Overview:
Job Description Summary:
Plans, prepares, and cooks hot and cold foods for catered functions, taking into account dietary restrictions and ensuring that high quality and safety standards are met.
Job Description:
Essential Functions:
- Plans and prepares menus for catered functions with the Senior Catering Coordinator.
- Oversees the daily production activities, including purchasing, preparation, cooking, and service of food.
- Collaborates with Senior Purchasing Coordinator to manage inventory and order supplies, ensuring that the kitchen is well-stocked and that expenses are within budget.
- Trains kitchen staff in food preparation, safety, and sanitation procedures.
- Assists in the set-up, service, and break-down of catered functions.
- Receives feedback and researches new recipes and methods to continually expand culinary knowledge and skills.
- Maintains a clean and organized kitchen environment in compliance with health and safety regulations.
Education Requirement:
High School Graduate or equivalent, required.
Licensure Requirement:
(not specified)
Certifications:
(not specified)
Skills:
- Ability to measure accurately and perform basic math skills.
- Familiarity with personal computer and nutrition-related software, preferred.
- Skill in proper operation of food production equipment (ovens, vertical cutter mixer, etc.).
- Effective verbal communication skills required in interactions with department staff.
Experience:
Two years of experience as a full-service restaurant line cook, caterer or room service cook, required.
Physical Requirements:
OCCASIONALLY: Climb stairs/ladder, Color vision, Computer skills, Fume /Gases /Vapors, Hot Temperatures, Lifting / Carrying: 41-60 lbs, Loud Noises, Pushing / Pulling: 100 lbs or greater with assistance, Sitting
FREQUENTLY: Audible speech, Decision Making, Flexing/extending of neck, Hearing acuity, Interpreting Data, Lifting / Carrying: 11-20 lbs, Lifting / Carrying: 21-40 lbs, Problem solving, Pushing / Pulling: 0-25 lbs, Pushing / Pulling: 26-40 lbs, Pushing / Pulling: 41-60 lbs, Pushing / Pulling: 61-100 lbs, Reaching above shoulder
CONTINUOUSLY: Bend/twist, Depth perception, Hand use: grasping, gripping, turning, Lifting / Carrying: 0-10 lbs, Peripheral vision, Repetitive hand/arm use, Seeing – Far/near, Squat/kneel, Standing, Walking
Additional Physical Requirements performed but not listed above:
(not specified)
"The above list of duties is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this classification. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties performed by the individuals so classified, nor is it intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under their supervision. EOE M/F/Disability/Vet"
See All 106+ Catering Chef Jobs
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Find Catering Chef JobsCatering Chef Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Aramark15
- Chartwells Higher Education8
- Eurest4
- AVI Foodsystems3
- Restaurant Associates3
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in catering chef jobs.
- Two or more years of high-volume cooking or catering kitchen experience
- Demonstrated ability to execute events for large guest counts
- Food handler certification or ServSafe Manager certification
- Experience managing prep staff and coordinating day-of kitchen logistics
- Proficiency with dietary accommodations including allergen and special-diet menus
- Culinary arts degree or equivalent vocational training preferred
Tips for Your Catering Chef Job Search
Tailor your resume to event volume
Catering employers care about scale. List the headcounts you've cooked for, the number of events per week you managed, and whether you ran buffets, plated dinners, or action stations. Generic kitchen experience without volume context rarely moves past the first screen.
Highlight off-site and logistics experience
Many catering chef roles require cooking in venues with no permanent kitchen. If you've transported hot food, managed holding equipment, or set up temporary stations, call that out explicitly. It's a differentiator most candidates leave off their resume.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists catering chef openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Search by venue type, not just job title
Corporate catering, hospital foodservice, and wedding catering all hire catering chefs but expect different skills. Search using venue-specific terms alongside your title to surface openings that match your actual background and avoid interviews that aren't a fit.
Bring a tasting or production plan to interviews
Catering chef interviews often include a practical component or a request to walk through how you'd execute a large event. Preparing a one-page sample production timeline or a proposed menu for a hypothetical event count demonstrates planning ability, not just cooking skill.
Negotiate scheduling terms before accepting
Catering work concentrates on weekends and holidays. Before accepting an offer, confirm the expected weekly hours, peak-season expectations, and whether overtime is paid or comped. Many candidates discover the schedule only after starting, which leads to quick turnover.
Catering Chef Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most catering chefs?
The companies hiring the most catering chefs right now include Aramark, Chartwells Higher Education, and Eurest, with the largest share of openings in California, New York, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Contract catering operators and corporate dining management companies tend to post the most consistent volume throughout the year.
How many catering chef jobs are remote?
About 4% of catering chef openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting that most of the role requires hands-on kitchen and event work. The sub-areas most likely to offer flexible arrangements are menu development, recipe costing, and culinary training coordination rather than active event execution.
How do you become a catering chef?
Start by building a foundation in a high-volume kitchen, such as a hotel banquet department, corporate cafeteria, or catering company, to learn quantity cooking and food safety at scale. Earn a ServSafe certification, then move into roles where you coordinate logistics alongside cooking. Over time, take on lead or sous responsibilities for events to build the production management skills catering employers prioritize.
Can you get hired as a catering chef with little experience?
Yes, entry-level catering assistant and prep cook roles are common pathways into the field without a full catering background. Emphasize any high-volume cooking, food safety certification, and willingness to work event schedules including weekends. Contract catering companies and campus dining operations hire entry-level candidates more consistently than private event firms, making them a practical starting point.
What does the catering chef interview process look like?
Most catering chef interviews begin with a phone screen focused on availability and event-scale experience, followed by an in-person or video interview with a kitchen manager or director of catering. Many employers include a practical element, such as a skills demonstration, a walk-through of how you'd execute a sample event, or a tasting. References from previous catering or banquet supervisors are typically checked before an offer is extended.
Where can I find and apply to catering chef jobs?
You can find and apply to catering chef jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search for roles that match your experience level and venue type, then apply directly to each listing. The openings update regularly, so checking back frequently gives you access to newly posted positions before they fill.
See All 106+ Catering Chef Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Catering Chef Jobs