Sous Chef

Job Overview

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Employment Type

Full-time
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Compensation

Salary
Range $5,200.00 - $5,700.00
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Work Schedule

Day Shifts
Weekend Shifts
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Benefits

family meal
employee dining discounts
Medical insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
accident insurance
Life insurance
Professional growth opportunities

Job Description

Wagamama is a renowned, contemporary Pan-Asian restaurant chain that has established itself as a leader in the global casual dining scene. Since its inception, Wagamama has focused on delivering vibrant, fresh, and innovative dishes inspired by Asian cuisine, all served in a welcoming and lively environment. With a commitment to quality, community, and continuous improvement, Wagamama embodies the principle of kaizen, meaning "constant and never-ending improvement," which not only drives their culinary excellence but also shapes their workplace culture. The brand fosters an inclusive and dynamic community where every team member’s contribution matters and personal growth is a priority. This philosophy creates an atmosphere where employees are encouraged to develop new skills, voice their ideas, and grow their careers alongside passionate colleagues who share their dedication to hospitality and innovation.

The sous chef role at Wagamama is vital to the daily success and smooth functioning of their kitchen operations. As a key leadership position within the kitchen team, the sous chef supports the executive chef in maintaining the highest culinary standards for all Pan-Asian dishes. This includes overseeing station setup, ensuring consistent recipe execution, and managing the flow of service to guarantee that each dish meets the restaurant’s signature quality in flavor, presentation, and portion size. The sous chef not only excels in culinary techniques but also plays an instrumental part in training, mentoring, and leading other kitchen staff to create a cohesive and efficient team.

In addition to culinary expertise, the sous chef must embody strong organizational and communication skills to handle the fast-paced, high-volume kitchen environment characteristic of Wagamama restaurants. The role demands a hands-on approach to mentoring line cooks and prepping team members, with responsibilities extending to troubleshooting operational challenges and ensuring compliance with all health and safety protocols based on HACCP and local regulations. Acting as kitchen lead in the absence of the executive chef, the sous chef must maintain a calm and proactive attitude that supports the flow of service and aligns with Wagamama’s mission to continually improve.

This opportunity offers the chance to be part of a vibrant team where your work goes beyond just serving food—it contributes directly to the guest experience and your personal career journey. Wagamama values both the creative and operational sides of the culinary profession, making this role ideal for culinary professionals who are eager to refine their skills, embrace leadership, and participate in a culture where every day brings new opportunities to learn and grow. The job offers competitive benefits including medical, dental, vision, accident, and life insurance for full-time team members, employee dining discounts, and opportunities for career development. Team members can expect flexible working hours, with the understanding that shift schedules may require up to 50 hours per week depending on business needs. Family meals during shifts and a supportive community environment make Wagamama a rewarding place to build a meaningful culinary career.

Job Requirements

  • high school diploma or equivalent
  • previous experience working in a commercial kitchen, preferably in a pan-asian or high-volume environment
  • knowledge of food safety regulations and best practices
  • ability to work in a fast-paced environment with physical stamina
  • strong leadership and interpersonal skills
  • availability to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays
  • commitment to maintaining quality and consistency in food preparation
  • excellent communication skills
  • problem-solving abilities under pressure
  • team player mindset
  • basic knife skills and culinary techniques

Job Qualifications

  • experience in a high volume or pan-asian culinary environment, preferred
  • strong knowledge of wok, ramen, fry, and teppan cooking techniques
  • experience leading and training kitchen staff
  • strong understanding of food safety standards and HACCP principles
  • ability to manage multiple stations and maintain quality during peak service
  • effective communication, organization, and problem solving skills
  • availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays

Job Duties

  • oversee day to day kitchen operations to ensure efficient service and proper station setup
  • execute and supervise preparation of dishes across stations including wok, ramen, fry, and teppan
  • ensure consistency in flavor, presentation, and portioning based on standardized recipes
  • lead line checks before service and maintain quality control throughout each shift
  • demonstrate strong proficiency in pan-asian cooking methods and culinary techniques
  • ensure proper handling, storage, and rotation of perishable and specialty ingredients
  • supervise, train, and mentor line cooks and prep team members
  • delegate tasks effectively and ensure accountability across all kitchen stations
  • act as the kitchen lead when the executive chef is unavailable
  • expedite during service to ensure accuracy, pacing, and strong communication between front and back of house
  • troubleshoot operational issues in real time to maintain service standards
  • assist with onboarding and ongoing skill development for kitchen staff
  • enforce strict adherence to food safety protocols, sanitation standards, and local health regulations
  • monitor labeling, storage, temperature logs, and other HACCP aligned practices
  • maintain a clean, organized, and inspection ready kitchen
  • assist with inventory management and product ordering
  • monitor product usage and help minimize waste to support food cost targets
  • support the executive chef in menu execution, recipe testing, and seasonal updates
  • ensure proper training and flawless execution of new menu items

Job Criteria

Experience

Mid Level (3-7 years)


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