Special Events and Catering Chef

Special Events and Catering Chef Little Saint 25 North Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448 Full Time

• Salary ($90k
• $95k)

Expires:

May 4, 2026 160 people viewed Required Years of Experience 3 years Job Details

WHY LITTLE SAINT

Located in the heart of historic downtown Healdsburg, Little Saint is a vibrant meeting place where guests are invited to connect over food, music, art and conversation. Our mission is to create an environment that is good for the soul, the earth and the community. Inside our 10,000-square-foot space, Little Saint offers up a full-service farm-forward restaurant, cafe and wine shop with a focus on plant-based cuisine. The building is home to exciting live music and thought-provoking conversations, as well as a series of film screenings and performances to benefit local artists and our farming community.

WHAT'S ON YOUR PLATE

The Special Events & Catering Chef is responsible for delivering exceptional plant-based culinary experiences across Little Saint's on-site private events, off-site catering, ticketed programming, buyouts, and curated take-away offerings.

This hands-on leadership role combines creative vegan menu development, operational execution, systems building, inventory management, and team leadership to uphold Little Saint's culinary standards, sustainability values, and hospitality ethos.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Culinary Leadership & Menu Development

• Develop, cost, and execute plant-based (vegan) menus for on-site private events, buyouts, off-site catering, pop-ups, ticketed dinners, tastings, special programming, party platters, and take-away offerings.
• Align special events and catering menus to Little Saint Farm availability, seasonal priorities, and brand standards under the direction of the Director of Culinary and Culinary Operations Manager.
• Demonstrate fluency in vegan cooking techniques, flavor development, and plant-forward center-of-plate composition.
• Adapt menus for scale, dietary needs, service style, and logistical constraints without compromising quality or identity.
• Create clear prep lists, production schedules, plating guides, and event-specific SOPs. Party Platter and Take Away Catering Program
• Own the culinary execution of Little Saint's vegan party platter and take-away catering program.
• Develop scalable, on-brand platter offerings suitable for retail and pre-order catering.
• Ensure consistency, quality, packaging standards, labeling, and food safety compliance.
• Coordinate production timelines with restaurant and prep teams.
• Collaborate with the Culinary Operations Manager on forecasting, par levels, and labor planning; refine offerings based on seasonality, demand, and guest feedback. Event Execution and Operations
• Lead culinary execution for all vegan events and catering from prep through breakdown.
• Oversee food production, on-site cooking, service coordination, and post-event wrap-up.
• Serve as the primary culinary lead during events, ensuring calm, organized execution.
• Coordinate equipment needs, rentals, transportation, and off-site logistics.
• Maintain strict food safety, allergen awareness, and brand consistency across all formats. Inventory and Systems Management
• Collaborate with other culinary managers to manage inventory across events, catering, and take-away programs.
• Participate in monthly inventory counts and inventory-related administrative tasks.
• Ensure accurate product usage tracking, transfers, and waste reporting for events and catering.
• Align ordering, pars, and production needs with inventory controls and financial targets.
• Support continuous improvement of inventory systems, processes, and accuracy. Financial and Administrative Accountability
• Own menu costing, food cost targets, and labor efficiency for events, catering, and take-away programs.
• Track food usage, waste, and labor hours.
• Operate within approved budgets and pricing structures.
• Provide post-event and post-program recaps identifying wins, challenges, and opportunities.
• Contribute to the refinement and growth of the events, catering, take-away, and inventory-related P&L. Team Leadership and Cross Departmental Collaboration
• Schedule and lead event, catering, and platter production staff; build/maintain reliable teams of cooks and support staff.
• Lead by example in high-volume environments, fostering professionalism, accountability, collaboration, and care; partner with Culinary Operations Manager on labor planning, scheduling, and performance.
• Work closely with Events, FOH, Beverage, Farm, and Culinary teams for seamless guest experiences; participate in planning/leadership meetings.
• Support sales/events teams with menu concepts, feasibility, execution planning; represent Little Saint professionally with clients, partners, and vendors.

WHO YOU ARE

• 3-5+ years of culinary leadership experience in events, catering, or large-format service.
• Culinary degree from accredited culinary program preferred
• Experience in plant-based (vegan) cooking techniques with a passion for sustainability
• Resourceful, solution-focused, and adept at inspiring collaboration in dynamic environments
• Ability to lead, coach, and motivate diverse teams while fostering equity, accountability, and excellence in accordance with Little Saint's values.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and time-management skills
• Strong financial acumen with proven expertise in menu costing, labor control, and inventory management
• California Food Safety Certified and well-versed in food safety and public health regulations.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule based on event and business needs.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time
• Ability to regularly and continuously lift up to 50 pounds
• Manual dexterity and the ability to perform repetitive motions
• Frequent walking, standing, bending, and reaching

COMPENSATION

• Competitive Wage
• Medical, Dental, Vision Plans (Full-Time Positions Only)
• Paid Time Off
• 401(k)
• Employee Dining Discounts
• Employee Assistance Program

OUR CORE VALUES AND HOW WE EMBODY THEM

• One Little Saint
• Our Success is a Team Success. Encourage cooperation and trust among team members, working towards common goals. We are One Little Saint.
• Respect & Kindness
• Drive Positive Change with Respect, Kindness and a Positive

Attitude:

Take initiative to resolve issues with a solution-based mindset while fostering respectful communication and kindness within the Little Saint Team and our Community.

• Value Everyone and Diverse Viewpoints
• Lead with Confidence while Embracing Diverse

Viewpoints:

Anticipate challenges, develop plans and collaborate with your Team through trust and transparency. Value everyone and show empathy to all.

• Trust & Transparency
• Lead by Example at

All Levels:

Exemplify the values of the Little Saint Team, earning trust and respect from your colleagues, our guests and the community.

• Professional
• Stay Motivated with

Enthusiasm:

Little Saint encourages and supports education and personal and professional development. Take ownership of your development by approaching everyday and all tasks with dedication and excitement.

• Genuine & Authentic

• Be Present and Effectively Communicate:

  Speak up, listen to others and provide supportive feedback with professionalism and authenticity. Be genuine to yourself and your team.
• Supportive
• Embrace Change and Show Up for

Your Team:

Respond positively to change, remaining supportive of your Team's efforts and needs. Each of the items listed is considered to be an essential function of the role. However, this list should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all the responsibilities of the position. Little Saint reserves the right to alter the duties of this role. Little Saint is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Little Saint is committed to hiring a diverse workforce, sustaining an inclusive culture, fostering an environment of continual improvement, and opportunities for growth and career development.

Compensation Details Compensation:

Salary ($90,000.00

• $95,000.

00)

Benefits & Perks:

Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Paid Time Off, 401k, Dining Discounts, Wellness Program Required Skills Creativity in Menu Design Adaptability to Dietary Needs Organizational Skills Problem Solving Skills Attention to Detail Ability to Work Under Pressure Leadership in High Volume Environments Ability to Train and Mentor Staff Gallery

Photo Credit:

Emma K. Morris

Photo Credit:

Emma K. Morris 4 more

Photo Credit:

Emma K. Morris