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Culinary Project Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Compass Group

Portfolio Project Chef

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

Portfolio Project Chef Salary: 135,000-150,000 Other Forms of Compensation: Our Passion is Food! At ... Demonstrated experience managing culinary operations across multiple locations or a large-volume ...

Compass Group

Portfolio Project Chef

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

Portfolio Project Chef Salary: 135,000-150,000 Other Forms of Compensation: Our Passion is Food! At ... Demonstrated experience managing culinary operations across multiple locations or a large-volume ...

SkyChefs

$110K - $120K/yr

Built on a legacy of operational excellence, culinary expertise, and continuous innovation, we are ... Main Accountabilities Facility Maintenance & Project Management • Lead kitchen design ...

Hope The Mission

$70K/yr

Running it well requires someone who can lead a culinary team, manage logistics, and deliver ... culinary projects for volunteers, ensuring variety, balance, and adherence to dietary needs

Culinary Lab

Reservationist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$18.25 - $24/hr

... entry projects during downtime Supporting corporate team with administrative and office duties ... Culinary Lab creates, owns and operators a portfolio of restaurants We also create and manage ...

Culinary Lab

Reservationist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$15/hr

Addressing miscellaneous admin and data-entry projects during downtime * Supporting corporate team ... Culinary Lab creates, owns and operators a portfolio of restaurants. We also create and manage ...

Quince & Co.

Event Manager

San Francisco, CA

$95K/yr

Collaborate closely with culinary, beverage, service, and operations teams to ensure flawless ... Outstanding organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple ...

New

Quince & Co.

Event Manager

San Francisco, CA

Collaborate closely with culinary, beverage, service, and operations teams to ensure flawless ... Outstanding organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple ...

Chipotle

Manager, Procurement

Newport Beach, CA

$114K - $160K/yr

Collaborate with Culinary, Marketing, Operations, and Supply Chain teams to support innovation, LTOs, new menu items, and commercialization efforts. * Manage sourcing projects from strategy ...

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All JobsCulinary Project JobsCulinary Project Manager JobsCulinary Project Manager Jobs in California

Culinary Project Manager information

See California salary details

$43.9K

$95.3K

$152.5K

How much do culinary project manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for culinary project manager in California is $95,295.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,000.00 and $111,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a culinary project manager?

A Culinary Project Manager oversees food-related projects, ensuring they meet quality, budget, and timeline expectations. They work with chefs, suppliers, and stakeholders to develop menus, coordinate kitchen operations, and launch culinary initiatives. Responsibilities may include sourcing ingredients, managing food safety compliance, and optimizing workflow efficiency. This role requires strong project management skills, culinary expertise, and the ability to coordinate teams effectively.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a culinary project manager?

A Culinary Project Manager requires a solid background in culinary arts, project management, and operations, often supported by a culinary degree and project management certification (like PMP or CAPM). Familiarity with project management software (such as Asana or Trello), budgeting tools, and food safety regulations is highly valuable. Outstanding organizational skills, leadership, and effective communication are essential soft skills for coordinating teams and stakeholders. These competencies ensure successful planning, execution, and delivery of culinary initiatives while maintaining quality and compliance.

What are the main responsibilities of a culinary project manager?

On a typical day, a Culinary Project Manager oversees the planning, execution, and monitoring of various food-related projects—such as menu launches, kitchen renovations, or special events. They coordinate with chefs, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to ensure project timelines, budgets, and quality standards are met. Additionally, they may be responsible for sourcing ingredients, managing logistics, and ensuring all food safety requirements are followed. Collaboration and adaptability are key, as priorities can shift quickly based on guest feedback, operational challenges, or leadership direction. This dynamic role is ideal for those who enjoy blending creativity with organizational strategy.

What are popular job titles related to Culinary Project Manager jobs in California? For Culinary Project Manager jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Culinary Project Manager jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Culinary Project Manager jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Culinary Project Manager jobs? Cities in California with the most Culinary Project Manager job openings:
Culinary Project Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Culinary Project Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, and 20% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $95,295 per year, or $45.8 per hour.

Portfolio Project Chef

Compass Group

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago

Compass Group rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 1,088 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

338th of 483 rated business services

Job description

Position Title: Portfolio Project Chef 

Salary:  135,000-150,000

Other Forms of Compensation:  

Our Passion is Food!
At Bon Appetit Management Company we are committed to two things, great food and outstanding service! At Bon Appetit you won't find our managers referring to a corporate recipe book or our chefs microwaving the lunch special. We do not have standardized recipes or central commissaries, instead, our chefs and managers are expected to stay abreast of current culinary trends and bring cutting edge food into their cafes. We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the freedom to be creative, take risks, and truly shine. We are committed to our staff growing, trying new things, and learning all that they can. Our rapid growth and breadth of accounts translates into exciting opportunities for our people!

Job Summary
The Portfolio Project Chef (also titled Supervising Chef) serves as the operational arm of the National Culinary Director, translating culinary vision and strategy into consistent, scalable execution across a portfolio of corporate dining accounts throughout North America. This role bridges high-level culinary leadership with field-level coaching, ensuring that programs, standards, and initiatives are brought to life at every account. The Portfolio Project Chef is an experienced, formally trained culinary professional who understands the nuances of corporate dining environments and thrives on developing culinary teams at all levels.
 
Key Responsibilities
Operational Execution & Account Support
  • Partner with the National Culinary Director to roll out culinary strategies, seasonal programs, and menu initiatives across all portfolio accounts.
  • Support account-level culinary teams remotely and through scheduled engagement, helping assess operations, ensure compliance with brand standards, and provide guidance — distinct from the field-based site evaluation function handled by the Portfolio Field Chef role.
  • Troubleshoot operational challenges at accounts and implement corrective actions in partnership with on-site culinary leadership.
  • Support the onboarding of new accounts, including setup of culinary systems, workflows, and team orientation.
  • Serve as an on-the-ground resource during high-profile events, client activations, or periods of leadership transition at accounts.
 
Culinary Standards & Quality Assurance
  • Ensure consistent adherence to recipe standards, food safety protocols, plating guidelines, and quality benchmarks across all accounts.
  • Conduct culinary audits and produce structured reports with actionable recommendations for improvement.
  • Collaborate with the National Culinary Director to develop and update standard operating procedures (SOPs), recipe libraries, and culinary playbooks.
  • Monitor food and labor cost performance at accounts and work with on-site teams to identify and address variances.
Additional Responsibilities
Chef Development & Training
  • Design, coordinate, and deliver culinary training programs for chefs at all levels — from line cooks and sous chefs to senior executive chefs.
  • Identify skill gaps across the portfolio and develop targeted development plans for individuals and teams.
  • Mentor and coach on-site culinary leaders, providing both formal evaluations and ongoing informal guidance.
  • Facilitate workshops, culinary demonstrations, and team-building events that elevate craft and reinforce company culture.
  • Support succession planning by identifying and nurturing high-potential culinary talent across the portfolio.
 
Collaboration & Communication
  • Act as a key liaison between the National Culinary Director and account-level culinary teams, ensuring clear communication of priorities and expectations.
  • Participate in menu development, product testing, and vendor evaluations as directed.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with operations, procurement, and client services teams to support account goals.
  • Prepare and present program updates, training summaries, and account assessments to the National Culinary Director on a regular cadence.
Qualifications
Education & Culinary Credentials
  • Culinary degree or diploma from an accredited culinary institute required (e.g., CIA, Johnson & Wales, Le Cordon Bleu, or equivalent).
  • Certifications such as ACF Certified Executive Chef (CEC) or equivalent professional credential strongly preferred.
  • ServSafe Manager Certification (or equivalent food safety credential) required.
 
Experience
  • Minimum 8–12 years of progressive culinary leadership experience, with at least 5 years in a senior executive chef, regional chef, or multi-unit culinary management role.
  • Demonstrated experience managing culinary operations across multiple locations or a large-volume, complex single site (e.g., corporate campus, healthcare system, higher education).
  • Substantial background in corporate dining, business & industry (B&I) foodservice, or contract food management strongly preferred.
  • Proven experience designing and delivering training programs for culinary teams.
  • Track record of managing food cost, labor cost, and operational budgets with measurable results.
 
Skills & Competencies
  • Exceptional culinary knowledge across a broad range of cuisines, cooking techniques, and dietary considerations (allergens, plant-based, wellness).
  • Strong organizational and project management skills; able to manage multiple priorities, accounts, and timelines simultaneously.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills — equally effective coaching a line cook or presenting to a client.
  • Proficiency with culinary management tools, recipe management platforms, and standard MS Office / Google Workspace applications.
  • High emotional intelligence and the ability to build trust and rapport with diverse teams across different organizational cultures.
  • Analytical mindset — comfortable interpreting financial reports and using data to drive culinary decisions.
 
This role is primarily based out of a central office or HQ location, with occasional travel to accounts as needed for training events, program launches, or strategic initiatives. Day-to-day work involves a combination of remote collaboration, program development, and structured engagement with account-level culinary teams. The role involves standing for extended periods during culinary sessions and working in commercial kitchen environments during training and demonstrations. Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required to support account needs or special events.

Apply to Bon Appetit today!

Bon Appetit is a member of Compass Group USA.

Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story

Associates at Bon Appetit are offered many fantastic benefits.

  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Life Insurance/ AD
  • Disability Insurance
  • Retirement Plan
  • Paid Time Off
  • Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
  • Associate Shopping Program
  • Health and Wellness Programs
  • Discount Marketplace
  • Identity Theft Protection
  • Pet Insurance
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Personal Leave

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_BAMCO.pdf

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. 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. 

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Bon Appetit maintains a drug-free workplace.

Req ID:  1547750

Bon Appetit 

BRYAN GONI 

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