Executive Chef

Mangia Nosh Catering is seeking an energetic, creative, and experienced Executive Chef to lead our culinary operations and help shape the future of our 35-year-old catering company.

This is an opportunity for a chef who is ready to take ownership of a kitchen, lead a team, influence our menu, and bring their own creativity and expertise to an established catering business.

Our previous Executive Chef was with Mangia Nosh for 18 years, working with both the founding owner and current ownership. We value the experience and foundation that has been built and are looking for someone who is excited to bring fresh ideas while continuing our commitment to quality, consistency, and exceptional food.

The Opportunity

Mangia Nosh is currently implementing a new software system and undertaking a menu overhaul, making this an exciting time to join our team. The Executive Chef will have an opportunity to play an important role in these initiatives, including helping develop new menu offerings, improve kitchen processes, and establish consistent, documented recipes.

We are looking for someone who is flexible, positive, organized, and team-oriented, with the confidence to lead a kitchen while working collaboratively with ownership and our sales team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day culinary operations, including kitchen production, preparation, and execution.
• Prepare and execute food for a wide range of catered events, from large galas to intimate dinner parties.
• Lead and manage kitchen personnel, including sous chefs, prep cooks, and dishwashers.
• Work in our commercial kitchen as well as on-site at events, which may include outdoor kitchens, residential kitchens, and other non-traditional setups.
• Ensure all food is consistently high-quality, beautifully presented, and event-ready.
• Follow established recipes accurately while creating and testing new menu items.
• Help lead the development and overhaul of our catering menu.
• Document and standardize recipes to ensure consistency and quality.
• Maintain a clean, organized, efficient, and food-safe kitchen.
• Manage food ordering, receiving, inventory, and storage.
• Develop prep timelines, delegate tasks, and keep production on schedule.
• Work closely with ownership and sales/front-of-house staff on menu development and event execution.
• Provide culinary input during the implementation of our new software system.
• Identify opportunities to improve kitchen efficiency, organization, and quality.
• Take initiative, solve problems, and maintain a positive attitude in a fast-paced catering environment.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate is:

• Experienced in catering and high-volume food production
• Experienced preparing a wide variety of cuisines
• Creative and confident developing new menu concepts
• Highly organized, clean, and detail-oriented
• Passionate about food quality, presentation, and consistency
• Experienced with batch cooking and large-scale preparation
• A strong leader who can manage and motivate a kitchen team
• A strong communicator who works well with ownership, sales, and event staff
• Comfortable working independently and taking initiative
• Flexible and adaptable to changing event schedules and priorities
• Comfortable working in commercial, outdoor, residential, and other non-traditional kitchen environments
• Positive, collaborative, and committed to being part of a team

Schedule & Flexibility

Catering schedules naturally change based on events and seasons. This is a salaried position with a flexible schedule based on business needs.

Some periods will be extremely busy and may require additional hours, weekends, and holidays. Other times of the year may be significantly slower, allowing for additional days off.

We value flexibility and are open to discussing flexible contract and compensation arrangements with the right candidate. Additional stipends may be available during particularly demanding periods.

Why Mangia Nosh?

Mangia Nosh has been serving clients through catering for 35 years, and we're looking for the right chef to help us move into our next chapter.

This position offers the opportunity to do more than simply execute a menu. You'll have a voice in:

• Leading and developing the kitchen team
• Shaping our new menu
• Creating new dishes and culinary concepts
• Establishing and documenting recipes
• Improving kitchen systems and processes
• Helping implement new technology
• Working directly with ownership and the sales team
• Helping maintain and build upon the reputation of an established catering company

If you're a chef who enjoys variety, creativity, leadership, and the opportunity to make a real impact, we'd love to meet you.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 75 lbs.
• Must be able to stand, walk, bend, lift, and work for extended periods in a kitchen and event environment .

Required Certification

• California Food Handler's Certificate required

Mangia Nosh Catering is looking for a chef who brings skill to the kitchen, leadership to the team, creativity to the menu, and a positive attitude to every event.

Mangia Nosh Catering is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a workplace and hiring process free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, age (40 and over), disability, mental or physical medical condition, sex, gender, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, reproductive health decision-making, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Mangia Nosh Catering is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious practices, as required by applicable law.

We also comply with applicable California Fair Chance hiring requirements. Qualified applicants will be considered consistent with the California Fair Chance Act and applicable law.