Culinary Director (Pacific Grove)
La Crème Luxury Catering & The Grill at Point Pinos, Pacific Grove, California, United States, 93950
Director of Culinary Operations
About La Crème
La Crème Luxury Catering is Monterey County’s only certified green, high-end, concierge-level catering company with exclusives at premier venues including The Holly Farm and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, plus our flagship oceanfront venue, Crema on Ocean View. Known for exceptional hospitality, seasonal California cuisine, and mind-blowing presentations, La Crème has been wowing clients since 2011.
Position Summary The Director of Culinary Operations oversees all culinary operations across La Crème Catering and Crema on Ocean View. This role blends high-level leadership with hands-on execution.
You will lead menu development, production planning, food quality, kitchen systems, ordering, sanitation, event execution, and team leadership for a dynamic multi-venue catering company. You will collaborate closely with the CEO, General Manager, and sales team to ensure culinary excellence at every event — from multi-day luxury weddings to large-scale corporate activations at WeatherTech Raceway.
This position is ideal for a creative, inspired chef who lives for beautifully executed seasonal food, thrives in high-production environments, and loves creating food that wows. Key ResponsibilitiesCulinary Leadership & Menu Development ·
Lead culinary vision for La Crème Catering and Crema on Ocean View. ·
Create modern, seasonal, high-end menus that impress visually and in flavor. ·
Maintain La Crème’s identity as the only certified green caterer in the region. ·
Stay current on culinary trends, plating styles, techniques, and innovation.
Kitchen Operations & Production Management ·
Oversee all prep, production notes, timelines, and pack lists. ·
Manage high-production catering kitchen at 1184 Forest Ave, Suite G. ·
Maintain impeccable cleanliness, organization, and hygiene standards ·
Develop and implement SOPs, recipe books, portioning guidelines, and efficiency systems. ·
Optimize prep hours, workflow, labor, and cost structure.
Ordering, Sourcing & Inventory ·
Place orders with local farms, purveyors, and artisans, prioritizing seasonal and sustainable
ingredients. ·
Track inventory, manage waste, and oversee zero-waste kitchen practices. ·
Maintain strong relationships with local producers and specialty vendors. ·
Ensure accuracy and cost control through detailed ordering and receiving systems.
Event Execution ·
Lead on-site culinary execution for weddings, corporate events, tastings, and large-format activations. ·
Manage off-site kitchen builds, equipment lists, and service flow. ·
Collaborate closely with event supervisors and service captains to ensure seamless events.
Team Training & Leadership ·
Train, coach, and mentor kitchen team members. ·
Build a positive, calm, organized, excellence-focused kitchen culture. ·
Oversee scheduling, task delegation, and accountability. ·
Maintain consistency in presentation, flavor, and hospitality.
Cross-Department Collaboration ·
Work closely with CEO (Tamie), GM, and sales/event planning teams. ·
Attend tastings, support BEO development, and help create unforgettable client experiences. ·
Contribute to menu proposals, costings, and new program development.
Qualifications & Experience ·
Minimum of 5 years in a senior chef or culinary leadership role. ·
Required: High-end catering experience, including off-site production. ·
Proven experience running a high-volume, multi-event production kitchen. ·
Strong systems-building, organizational, and logistical planning skills. ·
Excellent communication and leadership abilities. ·
Deep understanding of seasonal California cuisine and premium ingredients. ·
Ability to stay calm and effective in fast-paced, high-pressure environments. ·
Flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and event days. ·
Strong, healthy physical stamina — must be able to stand, lift, move, and work long, high-energy shifts when needed. ·
Someone who embraces an active, healthy lifestyle and takes pride in being physically capable, resilient, and ready to lead from the front. ·
Valid driver’s license required.
What Makes This Role Exceptional ·
Lead culinary operations for a beloved, top-tier, luxury catering brand. ·
Oversee and shape menus for La Crème Luxury Catering, WeatherTech Raceway events, and our newly acquired venue. ·
Collaborate with a passionate, creative owner who loves food and design. ·
Influence multiple revenue streams on a growing hospitality platform. ·
Be part of a company with a 14-year reputation for excellence and creativity.
Compensation ·
$95,000 to $125,000 Depending on experience. ·
Health benefits reimbursement. ·
PTO- Three weeks per year. ·
Opportunity for advancement as the company expands
Position Summary The Director of Culinary Operations oversees all culinary operations across La Crème Catering and Crema on Ocean View. This role blends high-level leadership with hands-on execution.
You will lead menu development, production planning, food quality, kitchen systems, ordering, sanitation, event execution, and team leadership for a dynamic multi-venue catering company. You will collaborate closely with the CEO, General Manager, and sales team to ensure culinary excellence at every event — from multi-day luxury weddings to large-scale corporate activations at WeatherTech Raceway.
This position is ideal for a creative, inspired chef who lives for beautifully executed seasonal food, thrives in high-production environments, and loves creating food that wows. Key ResponsibilitiesCulinary Leadership & Menu Development ·
Lead culinary vision for La Crème Catering and Crema on Ocean View. ·
Create modern, seasonal, high-end menus that impress visually and in flavor. ·
Maintain La Crème’s identity as the only certified green caterer in the region. ·
Stay current on culinary trends, plating styles, techniques, and innovation.
Kitchen Operations & Production Management ·
Oversee all prep, production notes, timelines, and pack lists. ·
Manage high-production catering kitchen at 1184 Forest Ave, Suite G. ·
Maintain impeccable cleanliness, organization, and hygiene standards ·
Develop and implement SOPs, recipe books, portioning guidelines, and efficiency systems. ·
Optimize prep hours, workflow, labor, and cost structure.
Ordering, Sourcing & Inventory ·
Place orders with local farms, purveyors, and artisans, prioritizing seasonal and sustainable
ingredients. ·
Track inventory, manage waste, and oversee zero-waste kitchen practices. ·
Maintain strong relationships with local producers and specialty vendors. ·
Ensure accuracy and cost control through detailed ordering and receiving systems.
Event Execution ·
Lead on-site culinary execution for weddings, corporate events, tastings, and large-format activations. ·
Manage off-site kitchen builds, equipment lists, and service flow. ·
Collaborate closely with event supervisors and service captains to ensure seamless events.
Team Training & Leadership ·
Train, coach, and mentor kitchen team members. ·
Build a positive, calm, organized, excellence-focused kitchen culture. ·
Oversee scheduling, task delegation, and accountability. ·
Maintain consistency in presentation, flavor, and hospitality.
Cross-Department Collaboration ·
Work closely with CEO (Tamie), GM, and sales/event planning teams. ·
Attend tastings, support BEO development, and help create unforgettable client experiences. ·
Contribute to menu proposals, costings, and new program development.
Qualifications & Experience ·
Minimum of 5 years in a senior chef or culinary leadership role. ·
Required: High-end catering experience, including off-site production. ·
Proven experience running a high-volume, multi-event production kitchen. ·
Strong systems-building, organizational, and logistical planning skills. ·
Excellent communication and leadership abilities. ·
Deep understanding of seasonal California cuisine and premium ingredients. ·
Ability to stay calm and effective in fast-paced, high-pressure environments. ·
Flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and event days. ·
Strong, healthy physical stamina — must be able to stand, lift, move, and work long, high-energy shifts when needed. ·
Someone who embraces an active, healthy lifestyle and takes pride in being physically capable, resilient, and ready to lead from the front. ·
Valid driver’s license required.
What Makes This Role Exceptional ·
Lead culinary operations for a beloved, top-tier, luxury catering brand. ·
Oversee and shape menus for La Crème Luxury Catering, WeatherTech Raceway events, and our newly acquired venue. ·
Collaborate with a passionate, creative owner who loves food and design. ·
Influence multiple revenue streams on a growing hospitality platform. ·
Be part of a company with a 14-year reputation for excellence and creativity.
Compensation ·
$95,000 to $125,000 Depending on experience. ·
Health benefits reimbursement. ·
PTO- Three weeks per year. ·
Opportunity for advancement as the company expands