OPT Banquet Chef Jobs
Banquet Chef jobs on OPT require an employer willing to sponsor or extend your work authorization before your EAD expires. Most roles are in hotels, catering companies, and event venues. Your STEM OPT extension does not apply here, so the 12-month cap and 90-day unemployment rule are critical to manage.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Schulte Hospitality Group is seeking a dynamic, service-oriented Sous Chef to join our team! SHG is an organization whose success is rooted in its service culture. Our mission is to exude hospitality, be respectful and authentic, prioritize the needs of our internal and external stakeholders above our own, and continuously strive to make a positive impact in all we do. We are passionate hoteliers eager to add like-minded people to our rapidly growing team!
What's in it for you? When you join SHG you'll be part of a team committed to an inclusive, employee-focused workplace that is invested in your development. We want you to feel engaged, empowered, and excited to grow with us. After all, we believe our greatest and most valuable asset is our people! SHG provides a rewarding, fun and flexible work environment, exciting perks, an atmosphere designed to encourage and promote career growth within the company and a robust benefit package including, but not limited to:
- Work Today, Get Paid today, with Daily Pay!
- Free Telemedicine and Virtual Mental Health care access for All Associates starting day one!
- Multiple Health Insurance and Life Insurance options
- 401k Plan + Company Match
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Time Off
- Holiday Pay
- Pet Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Schulte Savings Marketplace Discounts on event tickets, electronics, gym memberships + more!
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Schulte Hospitality Group is a division of Schulte Companies, a leading third-party management company with deep, multi-generational experience in all facets of the hospitality industry. We are a diverse team of innovative hoteliers and restauranteurs operating more than 200 locations across 38 states and 3 countries. Our portfolio includes a wide array of reputable brands like Marriott, Hilton, IHG and Hyatt as well as many unique, independent, boutique and lifestyle properties and restaurants.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Cleanliness and sanitation in the kitchen and adjacent areas
- Creative menu planning to adjust to guest needs
- Overseeing food preparation
- Checking quality of food deliveries
- Ordering all food and cleaning supplies and maintaining proper supply levels
- Maintaining costs within budget levels
- Manage labor costs, schedules and productivity
- Hiring, coaching and disciplining direct reports
- Interacting positively and professionally with guests to resolve issues
- Acting as Manager on duty as required
- Perform various other duties as assigned to meet business objectives
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor's degree preferred
- Minimum of two (2) years of experience in a culinary leadership role
- Food safety certification preferred
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Ability to multi-task
- Team player
- Ability to exceed expectations of guests
The hiring process may consist of a phone interview, manager(s) interview, drug screen, background check, reference checks, and potential employment assessment. This job description is only intended to provide a general description of the benefits and compensation applicable to this position. Paid Time Off (PTO) is available for eligible associates in accordance with the Company's Paid Time Off policy. Specific compensation and benefit details will be discussed during the interview process.
Schulte Hospitality Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
INTRODUCTION
Schulte Hospitality Group is seeking a dynamic, service-oriented Sous Chef to join our team! SHG is an organization whose success is rooted in its service culture. Our mission is to exude hospitality, be respectful and authentic, prioritize the needs of our internal and external stakeholders above our own, and continuously strive to make a positive impact in all we do. We are passionate hoteliers eager to add like-minded people to our rapidly growing team!
What's in it for you? When you join SHG you'll be part of a team committed to an inclusive, employee-focused workplace that is invested in your development. We want you to feel engaged, empowered, and excited to grow with us. After all, we believe our greatest and most valuable asset is our people! SHG provides a rewarding, fun and flexible work environment, exciting perks, an atmosphere designed to encourage and promote career growth within the company and a robust benefit package including, but not limited to:
- Work Today, Get Paid today, with Daily Pay!
- Free Telemedicine and Virtual Mental Health care access for All Associates starting day one!
- Multiple Health Insurance and Life Insurance options
- 401k Plan + Company Match
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Time Off
- Holiday Pay
- Pet Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Schulte Savings Marketplace Discounts on event tickets, electronics, gym memberships + more!
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Schulte Hospitality Group is a division of Schulte Companies, a leading third-party management company with deep, multi-generational experience in all facets of the hospitality industry. We are a diverse team of innovative hoteliers and restauranteurs operating more than 200 locations across 38 states and 3 countries. Our portfolio includes a wide array of reputable brands like Marriott, Hilton, IHG and Hyatt as well as many unique, independent, boutique and lifestyle properties and restaurants.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Cleanliness and sanitation in the kitchen and adjacent areas
- Creative menu planning to adjust to guest needs
- Overseeing food preparation
- Checking quality of food deliveries
- Ordering all food and cleaning supplies and maintaining proper supply levels
- Maintaining costs within budget levels
- Manage labor costs, schedules and productivity
- Hiring, coaching and disciplining direct reports
- Interacting positively and professionally with guests to resolve issues
- Acting as Manager on duty as required
- Perform various other duties as assigned to meet business objectives
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor's degree preferred
- Minimum of two (2) years of experience in a culinary leadership role
- Food safety certification preferred
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Ability to multi-task
- Team player
- Ability to exceed expectations of guests
The hiring process may consist of a phone interview, manager(s) interview, drug screen, background check, reference checks, and potential employment assessment. This job description is only intended to provide a general description of the benefits and compensation applicable to this position. Paid Time Off (PTO) is available for eligible associates in accordance with the Company's Paid Time Off policy. Specific compensation and benefit details will be discussed during the interview process.
Schulte Hospitality Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Banquet Chef
Target full-service hotels and catering companies
Large hotel groups and dedicated catering operations hire banquet chefs regularly and are more familiar with OPT work authorization than smaller venues. They have HR infrastructure to handle the paperwork without needing hand-holding from you.
Apply before your EAD is 4 months from expiring
Hiring timelines in food service can stretch 6 to 10 weeks between application and start date. Starting your search early gives you room to negotiate a start date that works around your authorization window without panicking either party.
Lead with your culinary degree when reaching out
Banquet Chef roles qualify for OPT because they fall under hospitality and culinary arts degree programs. Mentioning your degree field upfront signals to hiring managers that your authorization is tied to a legitimate credential, not a workaround.
Be transparent about your OPT timeline in early conversations
Employers in hospitality value directness. Explain your 12-month authorization window, when it started, and what your remaining time looks like. Employers who have sponsored before will appreciate the clarity and self-awareness you bring to the conversation.
Understand the 90-day unemployment limit before you quit
OPT allows no more than 90 days of cumulative unemployment. If you are between banquet positions, document any part-time culinary work carefully. Unauthorized gaps can jeopardize your status and disqualify you from future H-2B visa or H-1B visa sponsorship.
Ask about H-2B or H-1B sponsorship during the interview
If a venue hires you on OPT, ask whether they have previously sponsored H-2B or H-1B visas for kitchen staff. Employers with that history are more likely to extend your stay once your OPT period ends rather than starting a new search.
Banquet Chef OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Banquet Chef role qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes, if your degree is in culinary arts, hospitality management, or a closely related field. OPT requires that your job be directly related to your major area of study. A Banquet Chef position at a hotel, event venue, or catering company generally satisfies that requirement, but you should confirm with your DSO before accepting an offer.
Is a Banquet Chef role eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?
No. Culinary arts and hospitality management are not STEM-designated fields under the DHS STEM list, so STEM OPT extension is not available for this role. You are limited to 12 months of post-completion OPT. Planning for H-2B, H-1B, or another visa pathway before your OPT expires is essential if you want to continue working in the U.S.
Where can I find Banquet Chef jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and lists Banquet Chef roles at employers who are open to sponsoring or working with OPT work authorization. General job boards do not filter for visa sponsorship willingness, which means you often waste time applying to roles that will reject you at the authorization stage.
Can I work as a Banquet Chef for a catering company rather than a hotel?
Yes. OPT does not restrict your employer type as long as the role is related to your degree. Catering companies, event management firms, country clubs, and convention centers all hire banquet chefs and can employ you on OPT. Make sure the position is full-time, as most post-completion OPT requires at least 20 hours per week of qualifying employment.
What happens to my OPT status if my banquet chef contract ends after an event season?
Seasonal or contract gaps count toward your 90-day cumulative unemployment limit. If your contract ends in November and your next role does not start until March, that gap may exceed 90 days and put your status at risk. Overlapping applications and part-time culinary work during slow periods can help you stay within the limit while you search for your next position.