Allergen Culinary Specialist

Allergen Culinary Specialist

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 Caf Manager+ Lead is responsible for supporting the overall success of the food program by ensuring adherence to client culture and expectations, health department regulations, and Bon Apptit standards for food quality, freshness, sustainability, and presentation. This role serves as the campus expert for Caf Manager+ systems, menu transparency, recipe management, and nutritional integrity while providing leadership, training, and support to culinary teams.

Working closely with the Campus Executive Chef and Registered Dietitian, the Caf Manager+ Lead ensures the accuracy of recipes, allergen information, ingredient statements, and nutrition data provided to guests. This position plays a critical role in maintaining menu transparency, recipe consistency, and operational excellence across all caf locations.

Program Leadership & Operations

• Promote and uphold Bon Apptit's culture, culinary philosophy, and commitment to exceptional food and service.
• Support the Executive Chef in the overall management and success of caf operations.
• Ensure all products and purchasing practices align with Bon Apptit sustainability standards.
• Maintain knowledge of and compliance with client and Bon Apptit contractual requirements.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Caf Manager+ Administration

• Serve as the campus subject matter expert for Caf Manager+ systems and processes.
• Create and manage menus that align with Bon Apptit food standards, wellness initiatives, and campus goals.
• Maintain accurate recipes, including ingredients, yields, measurements, preparation instructions, and allergen information.
• Oversee menu management software to ensure guest-facing nutrition, ingredient, and allergen information remains accurate and current.
• Screen products for ingredient and allergen compliance and maintain data integrity within the system.
• Utilize Microsoft Office and web-based platforms to support menu planning, reporting, and communication.

Short Description

Recipe & Menu Integrity

• Review recipes for culinary accuracy, nutritional compliance, and consistency.
• Print and distribute weekly menus and recipes for all caf locations.
• Collaborate with caf chefs to review production needs, batch yields, and recipe adjustments.
• Verify recipe accuracy, preparation instructions, local chef notes, and menu icon standards before publication.
• Manage menu changes and substitutions while maintaining program compliance and transparency.
• Conduct regular follow-up to ensure recipes and production standards are consistently executed across all locations.

Training & Team Development

• Train, coach, and support chefs, managers, and hourly team members on Caf Manager+ systems and recipe adherence.
• Develop and reinforce best practices related to menu transparency, nutrition information, and production consistency.
• Partner with culinary and wellness teams to ensure effective communication and program execution.
• Motivate and develop employees to achieve operational objectives and deliver exceptional guest experiences.

Qualifications

• Strong culinary knowledge and passion for food.
• Experience with menu planning, recipe development, and food production systems.
• Knowledge of nutrition, allergens, and menu transparency practices.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and training skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and internet-based software applications.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.

Success in this role is defined by the ability to ensure menu integrity, support operational excellence, maintain accurate guest-facing information, and provide leadership that drives consistency, quality, and exceptional service across all caf locations.

Bon Appetit is a member of Compass Group USA. Associates at Bon Appetit are offered many fantastic benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, holiday time off, associate shopping program, health and wellness programs, discount marketplace, identity theft protection, pet insurance, commuter benefits, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, paid parental leave, and personal leave.