Executive Chef

Bold Catering - Atlanta, GA - Executive Chef, Catering

Bold Catering is seeking an Executive Chef who brings both culinary artistry and operational discipline to our growing catering business. This role is for a confident, calm leader with a genuine passion for culinary excellence and a curiosity-driven approach to menu development. You thrive in high-pressure environments, balance creativity with cost awareness, and find fulfillment in developing people and systems that scale. If you're organized, process-driven, solutions-oriented, and committed to building a culture of accountability while mentoring the next generation of culinary leaders, this is your opportunity to make a significant impact.

Reporting Structure
Reports to: General Manager
Direct Reports: Event Chefs, Sous Chefs, and Culinary Leaders
Works in close partnership with: Sales, Operations, and Event Services leadership

Key Responsibilities

Lead, Manage, and Hold Accountable

• Serve as a role model aligned with company values, fostering a culture of culinary excellence, discipline, and accountability
• Set clear expectations and hold culinary leaders accountable while mentoring and developing them to build bench strength
• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings with direct reports and lead weekly Culinary meetings to drive alignment and performance
• Promote cross-department collaboration with Sales, Operations, and Event Services to ensure seamless execution
• Utilize standardized management tools to track performance and maintain a positive, professional kitchen culture

Culinary Financial Management

• Own culinary labor management and allocation, ensuring alignment with budgeted and forecasted sales targets
• Manage food cost, purchasing, yields, waste, and inventory to maintain GP targets and approved budgets
• Periodically review and update recipe costs in CE (Catering Engine) to ensure accurate pricing and margin alignment
• Address food and labor discrepancies proactively to support profitable growth

Menu Execution & Research & Development

• Execute approved menus consistently across all events while leading R&D program execution (testing, documentation, rollout)
• Standardize recipes and execution methods, ensuring menus are operationally executable at scale
• Align menu development with equipment, staffing, and venue constraints while supporting Sales needs without compromising margins
• Apply broad knowledge of culinary styles and cuisines with judgment appropriate for a catering environment

Training & Development

• Develop and execute comprehensive culinary training programs for consistent onboarding and skills development
• Reinforce prep, execution, and event flow SOP standards across prep teams and on-site BOH teams
• Support leadership, management, and accountability (LMA) development within the salary culinary team
• Partner with Operations on training initiatives that drive consistency and excellence

Quality, Consistency & Compliance

• Ensure consistent food quality and presentation across all events by enforcing culinary standards, specs, and SOPs
• Conduct tastings, audits, and execution reviews, identifying and correcting gaps proactively
• Maintain compliance with all health and safety regulations, ensuring inspection readiness at all facilities and events
• Train teams on food safety and sanitation standards while holding them accountable for cleanliness and proper handling

Knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Proven track record as an Executive Chef or Executive Sous Chef, ideally in high volume catering or banquet operations
• Strong financial acumen with a history of meeting and exceeding budget goals
• Exceptional leadership and communication abilities that bring out the best in others
• A natural teacher and coach who finds joy in developing talent
• Comfort with kitchen management technology and a willingness to learn new systems
• Culinary degree or equivalent professional experience preferred

Physical requirements

• Constant standing and walking
• Frequent stooping, kneeling and crawling
• Frequent ascending or descending of ladders, stairs and/or ramps
• Ability to stand and remain on feet for extended periods, including shifts exceeding 10 hours
• Flexibility to work early mornings, late nights, weekends, and holidays as required by event schedules
• Frequent, continual, intermittent flexing and rotation of the spine, elbows and wrists
• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs on a regular and continuing basis
• Occasional pushing, pulling, lifting or carrying up to 75 lbs
• Must be able to listen and speak, for both client and team member interaction
• Frequent use of POS/Computer systems
• Ability to travel to and from event locations at varying times of day, including evenings and overnight hours when needed
• Requires manual dexterity to use and operate all necessary equipment

Why Join Us?
This is more than a job—it's an opportunity to be part of something special. You'll lead a team that cares deeply about their craft, work in an environment where your voice matters, and have the support to push creative boundaries while maintaining operational excellence. If you're ready to bring your passion, skills, and leadership to a company that truly values integrity, respect, and hospitality, we want to hear from you.

FULL-TIME/PART-TIME Full-Time
EOE STATEMENT We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.