OPT Executive Chef Jobs
Executive Chef roles qualify for F-1 OPT when tied to a culinary arts, hospitality management, or food science degree. Most positions are at hotels, restaurant groups, and catering companies that regularly hire international talent. Your 12-month OPT window can extend to 36 months if your degree is STEM-adjacent, though most culinary programs are not.
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Get Access To All JobsExecutive Chef 2 – Corporate Dining & Culinary Innovation
Location: Lawrenceville, NJ
Company: SodexoMagic
Total Managed Volume: ~ $6M
Bring Your Culinary Vision to a Premier Corporate Account
SodexoMagic (Corporate Services) is seeking a talented and inspiring Executive Chef 2 to lead the culinary program at one of our high-profile flagship accounts in Lawrenceville, NJ. This is an exceptional opportunity for a hands-on, creative chef who thrives in a dynamic environment where quality, service, and innovation take center stage.
About the Operation
This multifaceted dining program includes:
Café & Retail Dining
Open 7:30 AM – 1:30 PM, featuring:
- House-made soups
- Fresh sushi
- Deli station
- Grill
- Chef’s Kitchen
- Hearth/pizza
- Salad bar
- 2 We Proudly Brew Starbucks retail locations
Daycare Dining Program
- Serving approximately 81 children, with increased volume during summer camps.
Catering Program
- 70% day-to-day catering, 30% special events
- Events include township functions, VIP engagements, after-hours receptions (typically ending by 6 PM)
- Wide variety of menus and service styles, offering significant room for creativity
What You’ll Lead
As the Executive Chef, you will be the culinary heartbeat of the operation. You will:
Culinary & Operational Leadership
- Serve as the lead chef across culinary operation
- Oversee a culinary team of 3 Salaried Chefs & 26 hourly employees
Culinary Excellence & Innovation
- Create and refine menus within a 4-week cycle
- Bring forward fresh ideas, seasonal offerings, and elevated presentations
- Drive culinary innovation across café, catering, and daycare programs
Hands-On Execution
- Be on hands on ~80% of the time
- Lead catering production, tastings, and special event execution
- Ensure consistency, flavor excellence, and top-tier food quality
Business & Client Partnership
- Manage ordering, inventory, and food cost
- Partner with the GM on labor strategy
- Meet with the client weekly to maintain strong communication and alignment
What We Offer
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.
What You Bring
We are seeking a chef who brings both culinary expertise and strong leadership qualities, including:
- Excellent communication and deadline management
- Solid understanding of menu development and costing
- Ability to mentor, develop, and engage staff
- Passion for innovation, creativity, and elevating the guest experience
- Strong collaboration across culinary, catering, and leadership teams
Who We Are
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.
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 QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum Education Requirement - Associate's Degree or equivalent experience
- Minimum Management Experience - 2 years
- Minimum Functional Experience - 2 years work experience in food or culinary services including restaurants, fast food, vending, catering services, institutional services, mall food courts, etc.
Executive Chef 2 – Corporate Dining & Culinary Innovation
Location: Lawrenceville, NJ
Company: SodexoMagic
Total Managed Volume: ~ $6M
Bring Your Culinary Vision to a Premier Corporate Account
SodexoMagic (Corporate Services) is seeking a talented and inspiring Executive Chef 2 to lead the culinary program at one of our high-profile flagship accounts in Lawrenceville, NJ. This is an exceptional opportunity for a hands-on, creative chef who thrives in a dynamic environment where quality, service, and innovation take center stage.
About the Operation
This multifaceted dining program includes:
Café & Retail Dining
Open 7:30 AM – 1:30 PM, featuring:
- House-made soups
- Fresh sushi
- Deli station
- Grill
- Chef’s Kitchen
- Hearth/pizza
- Salad bar
- 2 We Proudly Brew Starbucks retail locations
Daycare Dining Program
- Serving approximately 81 children, with increased volume during summer camps.
Catering Program
- 70% day-to-day catering, 30% special events
- Events include township functions, VIP engagements, after-hours receptions (typically ending by 6 PM)
- Wide variety of menus and service styles, offering significant room for creativity
What You’ll Lead
As the Executive Chef, you will be the culinary heartbeat of the operation. You will:
Culinary & Operational Leadership
- Serve as the lead chef across culinary operation
- Oversee a culinary team of 3 Salaried Chefs & 26 hourly employees
Culinary Excellence & Innovation
- Create and refine menus within a 4-week cycle
- Bring forward fresh ideas, seasonal offerings, and elevated presentations
- Drive culinary innovation across café, catering, and daycare programs
Hands-On Execution
- Be on hands on ~80% of the time
- Lead catering production, tastings, and special event execution
- Ensure consistency, flavor excellence, and top-tier food quality
Business & Client Partnership
- Manage ordering, inventory, and food cost
- Partner with the GM on labor strategy
- Meet with the client weekly to maintain strong communication and alignment
What We Offer
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.
What You Bring
We are seeking a chef who brings both culinary expertise and strong leadership qualities, including:
- Excellent communication and deadline management
- Solid understanding of menu development and costing
- Ability to mentor, develop, and engage staff
- Passion for innovation, creativity, and elevating the guest experience
- Strong collaboration across culinary, catering, and leadership teams
Who We Are
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.
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 QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum Education Requirement - Associate's Degree or equivalent experience
- Minimum Management Experience - 2 years
- Minimum Functional Experience - 2 years work experience in food or culinary services including restaurants, fast food, vending, catering services, institutional services, mall food courts, etc.
See all 177+ OPT Executive Chef Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Executive Chef
Target hospitality groups over independent restaurants
Large hotel brands and multi-unit restaurant groups have dedicated HR teams familiar with OPT work authorization. Independent restaurants rarely have the infrastructure to support visa paperwork, making them a harder starting point for OPT students.
Lead with your EAD card, not your visa status
When applying, state that you have an Employment Authorization Document and are authorized to work in the U.S. immediately. Most culinary hiring managers respond to work authorization, not visa category names they may not recognize.
Align your degree field to your job duties explicitly
OPT requires your role to be directly related to your degree. In your cover letter, connect your culinary or hospitality degree to the specific responsibilities of the Executive Chef position, such as menu development, kitchen operations, and food costing.
Start your H-1B conversation before your OPT expires
Executive Chef roles can qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B visa if a bachelor's degree in culinary arts or hospitality is standard for the position. Raise this with employers at least nine months before your OPT end date to allow filing time.
Prioritize employers who have sponsored before
Search for restaurants, hotel brands, and food service companies with a history of filing H-1B or O-1 visa petitions. Prior sponsorship experience signals they understand the process and are willing to invest in international employees long term.
Use your OPT period to build measurable kitchen leadership results
Document cost reductions, revenue contributions, and team size under your management. Concrete metrics strengthen both your resume and any future visa petition that requires demonstrating the specialized nature of an Executive Chef role.
Executive Chef OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Executive Chef role qualify for F-1 OPT?
Yes, if the role directly relates to your degree field. A culinary arts, hospitality management, or food science degree supports OPT eligibility for Executive Chef positions. The job duties, including menu design, kitchen leadership, and food program oversight, must connect clearly to your academic training. Roles at hotels or large restaurant groups tend to draw the clearest degree-to-job line.
Can an Executive Chef role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B sponsorship?
It can, but it depends on how the employer structures the position. H-1B requires that a bachelor's degree in a specific field is the standard entry requirement for the role. An Executive Chef at a luxury hotel or corporate food service company, where a hospitality or culinary degree is genuinely required, has a stronger case than a role where experience alone is typically sufficient.
Where can I find Executive Chef jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate lists Executive Chef and culinary leadership roles from employers familiar with OPT work authorization. Filtering by hospitality, food service, and hotel categories will surface the most relevant openings. Employers on Migrate Mate understand the EAD-based hiring process, which reduces the friction of explaining your status from scratch.
What happens to my OPT authorization if I leave an Executive Chef role?
You enter a 60-day unemployment grace period, during which you must secure a new position in a role related to your degree. Unemployment cannot exceed 90 days total across your entire OPT period. If you take on a new Executive Chef or culinary role within that window, you simply begin working under the same EAD. Notify your DSO promptly when your employment situation changes.
Is an Executive Chef role typically STEM OPT eligible?
Most culinary arts and hospitality management programs are not on the STEM Designated Degree Program list, so the 24-month STEM OPT extension does not apply to the majority of culinary graduates. Food science and nutrition degrees may qualify in some cases. Check your degree's CIP code against the official STEM list with your DSO to confirm before making plans based on a 36-month timeline.