Sous Chef - Santa Clara University

Company: Bon Appetit
Location: Santa Clara
Posted on: February 16, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Salary: $72,000 - $78,000 / 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 Sous Chef supports the Executive Chef in overseeing daily culinary operations at Santa Clara University, a large, multi-unit campus dining program serving 8,000–10,000 guests daily across breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night service, seven days a week. The account includes multiple dining locations and an on-site catering department and is supported by a leadership team of 25 managers and more than 130 union employees. This role plays a key part in menu execution, catering production, staff supervision, and cost control within a high-volume, complex environment. Compass offers medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) plan, paid sick and vacation time, a parking pass, food allowance, and training and development opportunities. Key Responsibilities • Support daily kitchen operations, including food preparation, production, and presentation • Assist with menu planning, recipe development, and execution of daily and seasonal menus • Lead and execute catering events, ensuring quality, timing, and presentation standards • Assist with food cost control, inventory management, ordering, and waste reduction • Supervise, train, and support hourly culinary staff in a union environment • Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and quality standards • Support the rollout of new culinary programs in partnership with Compass culinary and marketing teams • Participate in client satisfaction and campus engagement initiatives Preferred Qualifications • Associate degree in Culinary Arts or equivalent professional experience • Progressive culinary or kitchen management experience • Catering experience preferred • Experience in high-volume, complex foodservice operations • Institutional or batch cooking experience preferred • Knowledge of current food and catering trends with a focus on quality, sanitation, cost control, and presentation • Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office and email • ServSafe certification preferred 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. https://www.compass -usa.com/wp- content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_BAMCO.pdf 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. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Bon Appetit maintains a drug-free workplace. Req ID: 1496802 Bon Appetit SABRINA VERA

Keywords: Bon Appetit, Richmond , Sous Chef - Santa Clara University, Hospitality & Tourism , Santa Clara, California