Event Chef

Job Position: Event Chef

Reports To: Chef de Cuisine

Wage: $26–$31/hr, based on experience

Hours: Full-time and part-time available; event-based schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays

Location: Chicagoland

Overview

At Food For Thought, we strive to be leaders in food, service, and creativity. The Event Chef is the on-site culinary leader for our offsite catered events — responsible for turning a chef pack, a truck of equipment, and a team of cooks into a flawlessly executed event, whether a seated dinner, buffet, or reception for up to 100+ guests. If you want to be part of creating experiences that matter, apply today.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Reviews chef packs at least 48 hours in advance, confirming menu, guest counts, equipment, and allergies/special requests are accurate and complete
• Leads the pre-event meeting with sales and the FOH supervisor to set the game plan and timeline
• Organizes, preps, sets up, directs, and breaks down events to FFT standards for hors d'oeuvres receptions, buffets, and seated events up to 100+ guests
• Assigns staff and designates leads for hors d'oeuvres, salads, entrée, and desserts; briefs the team on the menu, allergies, and expectations
• Directs kitchen set-up with strong command of spatial logistics and food flow
• Oversees staff, product, and rental equipment check-in, resolving shortages before service begins
• Tastes and approves a demo plate for each course, and ensures consistent plating and presentation across all guests
• Runs plated and buffet service in real time — keeping leads on timeline, coordinating dietary/allergy plates directly with captains, and troubleshooting on the fly
• Delegates responsibilities according to staff ability and follows up to ensure quality and timing are met
• Mentors cooks of all levels and maintains strong rapport with sales and supervisors
• Directs breakdown, cleanup, and safe load-out of caves, equipment, and props to FFT standards
• Completes accurate, timely event notes and the Event Chef Recap form the night of the event

Qualifications

• Prior lead/chef experience on offsite or catered events preferred
• Strong leadership — sets the standard, delegates, mentors cooks of all levels, and follows through on quality and timing
• Skilled in event logistics: spatial flow, mobile kitchen setup/breakdown, and hot holding using FFT's mobile ovens ("caves"), our standard offsite cooking setup unless a venue has a full kitchen
• Clear communicator with sales, supervisors, and FOH staff
• Basic English literacy and math skills for recipes, requisitions, and portioning
• Organized, deadline-driven, coachable, and calm under pressure
• Valid Food Handler or Sanitation Certificate and Allergen Certificate required within 30 days of hire

Why We're the Leaders

• Excellent training
• Employee referral bonuses
• Full and part-time opportunities available
• Flexible scheduling
• Career advancement opportunities
• Competitive pay
• Meal plans
• Anniversary milestone incentives