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National Culinary Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Compass Group

Portfolio Project Chef

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

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 ...

Compass Group

Portfolio Project Chef

Sunnyvale, CA

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 ...

Compass Group

Portfolio Project Chef

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

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 ...

Bon Appetit

Portfolio Project Chef

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

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 ...

Oxford Colorado

Culinary Director

Aurora, CO

Culinary Director Woodland Estates Senior Living is a pillar in senior living in Denver, CO . We ... national origin, citizenship, veteran status, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, genetic ...

Oxford Colorado

Culinary Director

Denver, CO

Culinary Director Woodland Estates Senior Living is a pillar in senior living in Denver, CO . We ... national origin, citizenship, veteran status, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, genetic ...

Apple Valley Place

Culinary Director

Charles City, IA · On-site

The Culinary Director leads all dining operations including menu development, food safety ... national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic ...

Brewery Franchises LLC

Be Seen First

Culinary Director

Meadville, PA · On-site

$75K - $125K/yr

The Culinary Director oversees all aspects of the culinary program, ensuring consistency, quality ... across a growing national franchise system. Company Description We're building something ...

Better Living SL

Culinary Director

Oregon, IL

$40K/yr

The Culinary Director leads all dining operations including menu development, food safety ... national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic ...

New

Apple Valley Place

Culinary Director

Clear Lake, IA · On-site

The Culinary Director leads all dining operations including menu development, food safety ... national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic ...

Sodexo

Culinary Director

Washington, DC · On-site

MedStar is recognized regionally and nationally for excellence in medical care. What You'll Do The Director of Culinary will provide strategic culinary leadership across all 10 MedStar Health ...

Sodexo

Culinary Director

Baltimore, MD

MedStar is recognized regionally and nationally for excellence in medical care. What You'll Do The Director of Culinary will provide strategic culinary leadership across all 10 MedStar Health ...

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National Culinary Director information

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$30K

$96.9K

$214K

How much do national culinary director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for national culinary director in the United States is $96,881.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,000.00 and $123,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical challenges faced by a National Culinary Director when overseeing multiple locations?

A National Culinary Director often encounters challenges such as maintaining consistent food quality and menu standards across diverse locations, adapting recipes to local preferences while adhering to brand guidelines, and managing communication between regional teams. Balancing creative innovation with cost control is also a key consideration. Effective leadership, clear standard operating procedures, and regular training are essential to ensure alignment and operational excellence throughout all sites.

What is a National Culinary Director?

A National Culinary Director is a senior-level professional responsible for overseeing the culinary operations, menu development, food quality, and kitchen staff management across multiple locations within a company or organization. They set culinary standards, develop recipes, ensure compliance with food safety regulations, and often lead training programs for chefs and kitchen teams nationwide. This role requires strong leadership skills, extensive culinary experience, and the ability to implement consistent food quality and service standards on a large scale.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a National Culinary Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a National Culinary Director, you need extensive culinary expertise, menu development experience, and a background in culinary management, often supported by a degree from a culinary school and proven leadership in large-scale food operations. Familiarity with inventory management software, food safety certifications (such as ServSafe), and knowledge of industry-standard kitchen equipment are typically required. Exceptional communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills help drive innovation and maintain high standards across multiple locations. These skills ensure consistent food quality, operational efficiency, and team cohesion on a national scale.
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National Culinary Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various National Culinary Director job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $96,881 per year, or $46.6 per hour.
Portfolio Project Chef

Portfolio Project Chef

Compass Group

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago

Compass Group rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 1,081 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

342nd of 487 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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