Executive Chef

Executive Chef — Critics Choice Catering & Event Production Critic's Choice Catering & Event Production is a full-service catering and event production company serving the South Bay, Greater Los Angeles, and Orange County for over 40 years. Founded in 1984 and family-owned, the company delivers corporate catering, full-service event production, and private events ranging from weddings to milestone celebrations. Clients include leading organizations such as Amazon, Microsoft, Honda, Northrop Grumman, and Sephora, reflecting a strong reputation for quality and reliability. The company operates Urban Palms, a private venue in Gardena featuring a 100-foot exhibition kitchen for corporate gatherings, private dinners, and seated events. Known for scratch-made menus, trained professional staff, and highly personalized service, Critic's Choice focuses on delivering exceptional value and a flawless guest experience. Role Description The Executive Chef is a full-time, on-site role based in Gardena, CA, overseeing all culinary operations for catering and event production. This role is responsible for menu planning and development, ensuring high-quality, scratch-made dishes that align with client needs and event concepts. The Executive Chef manages kitchen staff scheduling, training, and performance, maintains food safety and sanitation standards, and oversees inventory, purchasing, and cost control. Daily responsibilities include supervising food preparation, coordinating with event and operations teams on timelines and logistics, and ensuring consistent presentation and service standards. The Executive Chef also supports tastings, collaborates on new culinary experiences for Urban Palms and off-site events, and contributes to continuous improvement of kitchen processes and guest satisfaction. Qualifications Demonstrated expertise in culinary arts, menu development, and scratch cooking at scale, preferably within catering, banquets, or high-volume events Strong leadership skills in managing kitchen teams, including scheduling, training, delegation, and performance management Proficiency in food safety, sanitation, and regulatory compliance, with a current ServSafe or equivalent food handler/manager certification Experience in kitchen operations, including inventory management, vendor relations, purchasing, and food and labor cost control Ability to coordinate closely with event planners, operations staff, and front-of-house teams to deliver seamless event execution Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the capacity to handle multiple events, tight timelines, and changing priorities Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse colleagues, clients, and partners Creativity in menu design and presentation, with an understanding of diverse cuisines, dietary preferences, and special dietary needs Comfort working on-site in a fast-paced environment, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by event schedules Formal culinary training or degree from an accredited culinary school is preferred; equivalent professional experience in an Executive Chef capacity will be considered Base Salary: $80,000 annually Performance Bonus: Eligible for a Quarterly bonus based on individual and company performance metrics (up to $100,000 in earning potential) Ownership Stake: This role includes a genuine equity position in Critics Choice Catering & Event Production, not a token incentive, but a real ownership stake in a 40-year-old, family-owned company that is actively growing. The right candidate becomes a partner in what we're building, not just an employee. The opportunity to put your culinary fingerprint on an established brand with a loyal client base, a private venue, and a clear vision for what comes next #J-18808-Ljbffr Critic's Choice Catering