Restaurant Associates OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Restaurant Associates hires OPT students across food service management, culinary operations, and hospitality roles. Known for structured workplace environments within premium dining and corporate catering, it's a credible option for F-1 students in food and beverage programs seeking hands-on U.S. industry experience during their OPT period.
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INTRODUCTION
Restaurant Associates has an opening for full-time PASTRY PREP/PRODUCTION positions.
Location: Marcel - 945 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10021.
Schedule: Full-time schedule. Open availability, shifts may vary. More details available upon interview.
Fixed Pay Rate: $25.00 per hour.
We Make Applying Easy! Want to apply to this job via text messaging? Text JOB to 75000 and search requisition ID number 1514740.
The advertised program is a conversational recruiting assistant that helps you apply to jobs with Compass Group. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to opt out or HELP for help.
Terms and conditions: http://olivia.paradox.ai/moSkg
This position is eligible for an Employee Referral Bonus! If you know someone that is qualified for this role, please use the ‘job search’ in PeopleHub to refer your referral and email them a link to apply. Your referral will be able to apply by clicking the link in the email. You can check the status through your profile, accessible via Careers in PeopleHub, by clicking on ‘referral tracking.’ For Employee Referral guidelines, FAQs and the Compass Employee Referral Policy, email MyReferral@compass-usa.com.
Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry’s leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the nation's most prestigious museums, performing arts centers and corporations!
Voted Glassdoor's Employee Choice Awards - Best Places to work This is R/A!
JOB SUMMARY
Summary: Prepares baked goods according to recipes and production specifications.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Bake breads, pies, cakes, cookies and other pastries as necessary per the provided production and catering sheets; assists in production planning to meet daily requirements.
- Ensures proper food preparation by utilizing approved recipes, following prescribed production standards and use of proper equipment.
- Assists with the completion of production records to include waste tracking, used/unused portions and product shortages; informs supervisor when supplies are low.
- Ensures proper presentation, food quality, portion control and maintenance of proper serving temperatures.
- Maintains sanitation and orderliness of all equipment, supplies and utensils within work area.
- Handles food items appropriately and with all safety regulations in mind during preparation and service.
- Cleans equipment and workstation thoroughly before leaving the area for other assignments. Keeps display equipment clean and free of debris.
- Interacts with customers and resolves customer complaints in a friendly and customer-service oriented manner. Relays relevant concerns from customers directly to supervisors.
- Consistently exhibits the ability to keep up with peak production and service calmly, accurately and efficiently.
- Checks to ensure that all food is presented, served and displayed per standards.
- Follows principles of sanitation and safety in handling food and equipment, ensuring corporate and OSHA safety standards are followed.
- Completes shift work, as assigned, in a timely and thorough manner in accordance with department standards.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
ASSOCIATES AT RESTAURANT ASSOCIATES ARE OFFERED MANY FANTASTIC BENEFITS.
Both full-time and part-time positions offer the following benefits to associates:
- Retirement Plan
- Associate Shopping Program
- Health and Wellness Programs
- Discount Marketplace
- Identity Theft Protection
- Pet Insurance
- Voluntary Benefits, including Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance, Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Legal Services, and Choice Auto and Home Program
In addition, full-time positions also offer the following benefits to associates:
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Life Insurance/AD
- Disability Insurance
- Commuter Benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Abides by all Company policies and procedures including but not limited to:
- The use of medium weight cut gloves when handling or using knives, peelers, choppers, mandolins or cleaning a slicer.
- The use of oven mitts, fryer gloves or steamer gloves when handling hot pans from ovens, warmers or steamtables.
- The use of slip-resistant shoes and proper lifting techniques.
Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
About Compass Group: Achieving leadership in the foodservice industry
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. Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. 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.
Job Roles at Restaurant Associates
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Restaurant Associates OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Frame your degree for food service roles
Restaurant Associates hires OPT students into operations and management tracks, not just culinary positions. Tailor your resume to show coursework in hospitality management, food systems, or nutrition science so hiring managers can quickly match your degree to a qualifying specialty occupation role.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
STEM OPT extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Before signing anything, ask Restaurant Associates's HR team to confirm active E-Verify participation. If they can't confirm it, your 24-month extension is at risk even if your role qualifies under STEM criteria.
Target corporate dining and management trainee pipelines
Restaurant Associates operates heavily in corporate and institutional dining, where management trainee and coordinator roles are more likely to support OPT students than front-line hourly positions. Focus your applications on salaried, degree-required postings in those divisions for the strongest fit.
Time your application around your OPT start date
Your OPT EAD has a fixed start date you request through your DSO, and Restaurant Associates can only bring you on after that date activates. Apply at least 90 days before your program end date so your EAD arrives before your intended first day.
Use Migrate Mate to check Restaurant Associates's H-1B history
OPT is a bridge, not a destination. Use Migrate Mate to review Restaurant Associates's H-1B Labor Condition Application filing history so you can assess how actively they've sponsored full-time work visas for food and beverage roles before committing to a position there.
Benchmark your salary against OFLC Wage Search data
Restaurant Associates must pay OPT employees wages consistent with similarly employed workers. Look up your occupation in OFLC Wage Search before negotiations so your offer aligns with DOL wage levels. An offer below prevailing wage can complicate any future H-1B sponsorship at the same company.
Restaurant Associates OPT Eligibility: Frequently Asked Questions
Does Restaurant Associates sponsor OPT visas?
Restaurant Associates doesn't sponsor OPT directly because OPT is work authorization USCIS grants to F-1 students, not a visa employers file for. What Restaurant Associates does is hire students who already hold a valid OPT EAD. If your EAD is active and your role qualifies, you can work there during your OPT period without any employer petition required.
Which roles at Restaurant Associates typically support OPT students?
OPT students tend to find the best fit in salaried, degree-required roles such as food service management, operations coordinator, and culinary management trainee positions. Front-line hourly roles rarely satisfy the specialty occupation requirement that makes OPT meaningful as a path toward long-term sponsorship at Restaurant Associates.
How do I start the OPT process when I have a job offer from Restaurant Associates?
The process runs through your school, not Restaurant Associates. Once you have a written offer, work with your DSO to file the OPT application with USCIS and request an EAD start date that matches your expected first day. Restaurant Associates can't bring you on until your EAD is active, so apply early to avoid gaps.
How do I know if Restaurant Associates will sponsor my H-1B after OPT?
H-1B visa sponsorship is a separate decision from hiring an OPT student, and Restaurant Associates evaluates it role by role. Migrate Mate lets you review the company's Labor Condition Application filing history for food and beverage occupations, which gives you a practical signal of how often they've pursued H-1B visa sponsorship for similar positions.
Does Restaurant Associates need to do anything special for my STEM OPT extension?
Yes. For the 24-month STEM OPT extension, USCIS requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify and to sign a formal training plan with you. Confirm Restaurant Associates's E-Verify status with HR before you apply for the extension, since your DSO will need that confirmation to authorize the updated I-20.
How does Restaurant Associates hire OPT students?
OPT is work authorization granted directly to F-1 students after graduation — no employer petition is required. Restaurant Associates can hire OPT students as soon as their EAD card is approved. STEM degree holders can extend OPT by 24 months when their employer is enrolled in E-Verify. Most companies that hire OPT students also support the transition to H-1B when the student's OPT period is ending. Check Restaurant Associates's individual postings on Migrate Mate to confirm OPT acceptance per role.