Event Chef

Published: 6/14/2022

Job Description

Why We Need You

At Family Table Collaborative, good food brings people together and helps our neighbors thrive. We rescue food that would otherwise go to waste, prepare nutritious meals, and work with community partners to strengthen nutritional security across Cape Cod.

Our catering and events business helps make that work possible. Alongside the generosity of individuals, businesses, and foundations, every dollar of profit from our event space and offsite catering goes toward running, sustaining, and growing FTC. The meals you prepare for a celebration or gathering help put meals on tables throughout our community.

We are hiring a hands-on Event Chef to lead the culinary planning and execution of our catering and events. You will cook, organize production, guide the kitchen team, and deliver food that guests remember. This role is an opportunity to help build a growing business whose success directly supports our mission.

What You Will Accomplish

Lead food preparation and service for events at FTC and offsite, taking responsibility for flavor, freshness, presentation, portions, and timing.
Develop and refine menus with the events and culinary teams, balancing client preferences, dietary needs, seasonality, kitchen capacity, and profitability.
Translate confirmed event details into recipes, quantities, prep schedules, staffing needs, and clear packing lists for food, equipment, serving pieces, and consumables.
Manage ordering and event inventory, track food and labor costs, and contribute accurate cost estimates to event pricing. Review results after events to improve margins and reduce waste.
Oversee packing, safe transport, setup, service, breakdown, and kitchen cleanup. Confirm that food, equipment, and supplies are ready before each event.
Coordinate with the Event Manager and service staff so the kitchen and front of house work from the same guest counts, dietary information, and service timeline.
Work with FTC’s community kitchen team to coordinate shared space, equipment, storage, and production schedules, supporting both event commitments and community meal preparation.
Use ingredients thoughtfully, incorporate rescued food when appropriate, and coordinate safe use of surplus with the community kitchen while maintaining menu commitments and quality.
Train and direct event kitchen staff with clear expectations and respectful feedback. Help onboard and guide the additional part-time culinary staff member planned for Q1 2027.
Maintain food safety, allergen controls, temperature records, sanitation, and equipment care. Address service problems calmly and communicate changes promptly.

What We Are Looking For

Professional culinary experience with demonstrated responsibility for catering, banquets, or events, including leading a kitchen team through service.
Strong cooking skills and an eye for presentation, with the ability to produce consistent food across different menus, guest counts, and service styles.
Practical experience planning offsite events, including packing, transport, setup, and working in kitchens with varying equipment and space.
Comfort with recipe costing, portion control, purchasing, inventory, and labor planning. You understand how everyday kitchen decisions affect an event’s profit.
Excellent organization and follow-through. You can manage several event timelines, maintain accurate prep and event records, and identify needs before service begins.
A calm, adaptable leadership style and a willingness to teach. You communicate clearly with colleagues, clients, staff, and volunteers with different levels of experience.
Sound knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and allergen management. Food protection manager certification, such as ServSafe, or willingness to obtain it.
A commitment to FTC’s mission, respect for the people we serve, and care for the food and resources entrusted to us.

\nCompany Description

Family Table Collaborative’s mission is to end hunger and advance nutritional security on Cape Cod by providing healthy, prepared meals and education to those who need them most. Through innovative food rescue, community partnerships, and volunteer-driven meal preparation, we address the full cycle of food, from access and distribution to education and sustainability, because healthy people build healthy communities.