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Chef Partner Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Senior Area Executive Chef

Richmond, VA · On-site

$70K - $97K/yr

Partner with District and Unit Executive Chefs to drive operational excellence and performance * Ensure compliance with Sodexo culinary standards, recipe execution, and branded concepts * Standardize ...

Executive Chef

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$76K - $105K/yr

Description Executive Chef - **Brand Change** The Satire, Autograph by Marriott Alexandria Great ... client partners. * A minimum of five years kitchen leadership * Full service / fine dining

Partner with the events and conference services team to meet client culinary needs * Execute ... A teamoriented chef who enjoys collaboration and handson execution Who We Are At Sodexo, our ...

Executive Chef

Centreville, VA · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Overview The Role As Executive Chef at Lucky Strike Entertainment, you will work the line five days ... Partner with Operations on new product rollouts, seasonal promotions, and special events What You ...

Partner with the events and conference services team to meet client culinary needs * Execute ... A teamoriented chef who enjoys collaboration and handson execution Who We Are At Sodexo, our ...

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Chef Partner information

See Virginia salary details

$10

$24

$44

How much do chef partner jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for chef partner in Virginia is $24.42, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.68 and $30.72 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Chef Partner balance culinary creativity with business management responsibilities?

A Chef Partner plays a dual role that requires both culinary expertise and strong business acumen. On a typical day, you’ll be designing menus, overseeing kitchen operations, and ensuring food quality, while also managing budgets, inventory, and staff training. Balancing these responsibilities often means delegating effectively and staying organized to meet both creative and operational goals. Collaboration with other partners and front-of-house managers is essential to align the kitchen’s output with the restaurant’s overall vision and profitability.

What's a good career change for a chef?

A chef partner can transition into roles such as food service manager, culinary instructor, or food product developer, leveraging skills in kitchen management, food safety, and recipe development. Other options include hospitality management, catering business ownership, or food consulting, often requiring relevant certifications or business knowledge.

What is the difference between Chef Partner vs Chef?

AspectChef PartnerChef
CredentialsCooking certifications, culinary degreesCooking certifications, culinary degrees
Work EnvironmentPartnership roles, collaborative kitchensKitchen staff, culinary establishments
Employer & Industry UsageRestaurants, catering, hospitality businessesRestaurants, hotels, food services
Search & Comparison IntentPartnership roles, business collaborationsCooking skills, culinary jobs

While both Chef Partner and Chef require culinary expertise and certifications, Chef Partner typically refers to a collaborative or business partnership role in the culinary industry, often involving shared ownership or strategic involvement. A Chef is generally a culinary professional focused on cooking and kitchen operations. The main difference lies in the role's scope: Chef Partners are involved in business decisions and partnerships, whereas Chefs focus on culinary creation and kitchen management.

What is a chef partner?

A chef partner is a culinary professional who collaborates with a restaurant or food business, often sharing ownership or responsibilities. They typically bring specialized cooking skills, may participate in menu development, and work closely with management to ensure quality and consistency in food service.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Chef Partner, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chef Partner, you need expertise in culinary techniques, menu development, and kitchen operations management, often supported by formal culinary training or equivalent experience. Familiarity with inventory management systems, point-of-sale (POS) software, and food safety certifications is typically required. Leadership, creativity, and strong communication skills set top Chef Partners apart by fostering team motivation and customer satisfaction. These competencies are crucial for ensuring high-quality dishes, efficient kitchen operations, and the overall success of the restaurant.

How to make side money as a chef?

Chefs can make side money by offering private cooking classes, catering events, or selling homemade food products. Building a strong reputation and utilizing social media can help attract clients for these additional income streams.

What is the highest paid chef position?

The highest paid chef position is typically Executive Chef or Chef de Cuisine, especially in high-end restaurants or luxury hotels, with salaries reaching six figures or more. Executive chefs oversee kitchen operations, manage staff, and develop menus, often requiring extensive experience and culinary certifications.

What are Chef Partners?

Chef Partners are experienced culinary professionals who not only manage kitchen operations but also hold a stake in the ownership or leadership of a restaurant or food business. They are responsible for menu development, staff management, food quality, and often strategic business decisions. Unlike traditional head chefs, Chef Partners are involved in both the creative and business aspects of a restaurant, contributing to its overall success and direction. This dual role allows them to influence the culinary vision while also sharing in the financial outcomes of the business.
What are popular job titles related to Chef Partner jobs in Virginia? For Chef Partner jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Chef Partner jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Chef Partner jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Chef Partner jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Chef Partner job openings:
Infographic showing various Chef Partner job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,786 per year, or $24.4 per hour.
Senior Area Executive Chef

Senior Area Executive Chef

Sodexo

Richmond, VA • On-site

$70K - $97K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago


Sodexo rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 1,123 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

312th of 449 rated business services


Job description

Role Overview

Sodexo Campus Servicesis seeking an experienced and innovativeSenior Area Executive Chef to support accounts within our segment, primarily across the Mid-Atlantic region, and will support other accounts across the U.S. as needed.

As theArea Executive Chef, you will oversee culinary operations across multiple university campuses, driving innovation, consistency, and excellence in resident dining, retail, and catering. You will work with both the salaried management team and hourly staff on Sodexo's culinary foundations program and have a visible presence on the accounts you visit. Under your leadership, you will elevate the dining experience across campus by implementing current trends, supporting menu development, leading culinary training, and ensuring adherence to Sodexo's culinary and safety standards. This is a hands-on leadership role requiring strong culinary expertise, high-volume experience, and a commitment to operational excellence and financial success.

Travel Requirement:

This position involves regular regional travel, approximately 75%, to multiple sites and locations primarily in the Mid-Atlantic region, with additional travel across the U.S. as needed. The ideal candidate will reside in the Mid-Atlantic area. Candidates should be prepared to spend time on the road visiting various facilities to ensure consistent support and collaboration across the region.

What You'll Do
  • Lead culinary operations across approximately 30 higher education campuses, primarily in the Mid-Atlantic market.

  • Partner with District and Unit Executive Chefs to drive operational excellence and performance

  • Ensure compliance with Sodexo culinary standards, recipe execution, and branded concepts

  • Standardize food quality, presentation, and resident meal experience

  • Support menu development, recipe rollouts, and culinary innovation initiatives

  • Monitor food cost performance, production forecasting, and inventory practices

  • Ensure strict compliance with HACCP, food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety standards

  • Collaborate with Client and Sodexo leadership to align culinary operations with client goals

  • Utilize food management systems to monitor performance and drive efficiencies

  • Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and implement best practices

  • Support hiring, onboarding, and development of culinary talent across the enterprise.

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
  • Proven experience as a Senior Level Executive Chef or culinary leader, preferably within a Campus environment
  • Multi-site or system-level culinary oversight experience preferred

  • Strong understanding of residential, retail, and catering dining standards

  • Demonstrated expertise in HACCP, regulatory compliance, and food safety standards

  • Experience managing food cost controls, production systems, and inventory oversight

  • Strong communication and collaboration skills

  • Ability to analyze performance data and implement strategic improvements

  • Passion for delivering consistent, high-quality resident dining experiences

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. 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.

Qualifications & Requirements

Minimum Education Requirement - Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience
Minimum Management Experience - 5 years
Minimum Functional Experience - 3 years


    Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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