Chef Manager - Obama Presidential Center

Salary: $78,000 - $80,000 / year

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 Chef Manager at the Obama Presidential Center is a hands-on culinary leader responsible for overseeing daily kitchen operations while delivering an exceptional dining experience that reflects the Center's commitment to hospitality, community, and excellence. This role leads culinary teams, drives operational performance, and ensures outstanding food quality across café and retail dining operations. The ideal candidate is an experienced leader with a strong culinary background, financial acumen, and a passion for developing people and creating memorable guest experiences.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead all aspects of daily kitchen operations, ensuring consistent execution, food quality, and exceptional guest satisfaction.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop culinary team members, fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Develop seasonal menus and daily features that balance creativity, operational efficiency, and financial performance.
• Manage food and labor costs through effective purchasing, inventory management, production planning, and waste reduction initiatives.
• Oversee ordering, receiving, and inventory controls while maintaining appropriate product levels and vendor relationships.
• Ensure strict compliance with all food safety, sanitation, and HACCP standards while maintaining a clean, organized kitchen.
• Monitor quality, consistency, presentation, and portion standards across all food offerings.
• Partner with operations leadership to deliver seamless service and execute special events and catering functions as needed.
• Analyze financial performance, including P&L results, and implement strategies to achieve budgeted goals.
• Champion sustainable culinary practices by supporting local sourcing, minimizing waste, and promoting environmentally responsible operations.
• Lead by example with a hands-on management style, providing coaching, training, and support during all service periods.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3+ years of progressive culinary management experience in contract dining, hospitality, restaurants, or high-volume foodservice operations.
• Demonstrated success leading kitchen operations, managing culinary teams, and delivering consistently high-quality food service.
• Strong experience with menu development, recipe standardization, product costing, purchasing, inventory management, and labor planning.
• Proven ability to improve operational efficiency while maintaining exceptional food quality and guest satisfaction.
• Knowledge of financial management, including food cost controls, budgeting, and P&L accountability.
• Extensive understanding of current culinary and catering trends, food presentation, and production techniques.
• Experience with exhibition cooking and engaging guest-facing culinary experiences preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of HACCP principles and food safety regulations.
• ServSafe Manager Certification preferred.
• Strong communication, leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills with a collaborative, service-focused approach.

This is an outstanding opportunity for an accomplished Chef Manager who thrives in a mission-driven environment and is passionate about leading teams, elevating culinary experiences, and contributing to one of Chicago's most inspiring cultural destinations.

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.

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:

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Bon Appetit maintains a drug-free workplace.

Req ID: 1552100

Bon Appetit

JoEtta Barnes