Job Overview

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Employment Type

Full-time
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Compensation

Salary
Range $45,100.00 - $60,900.00
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Work Schedule

Flexible
Weekend Shifts
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Benefits

competitive pay
flexible schedule
Health Insurance
Paid Time Off
Professional development opportunities
Employee Meals
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Job Description

Located in the vibrant heart of Downtown San Antonio, Texas, our establishment is an independent cafe9 and dinner concept deeply rooted in craft, creativity, and genuine hospitality. We are currently in the exciting phase of pre-opening development, meticulously building our menu, assembling a talented culinary team, and defining our unique culinary identity from the ground up. We pride ourselves on offering a chef-driven and foodie-focused dinner program, emphasizing the importance of quality and artistry in every dish we serve. Our commitment to exceptional food and an authentic dining experience makes us a standout destination in San Antonio's thriving culinary scene.

As a part of this innovative journey, we are seeking a passionate and dedicated Sous Chef to join our team full-time. This role offers flexibility in scheduling and a competitive salary based on experience. It represents a unique opportunity to be involved at the ground level of a promising new culinary venture. The Sous Chef will be instrumental in shaping our kitchen's foundation, driving the creative and operational aspects of our dinner service, and ensuring that every plate exemplifies excellence.

This position is a pre-opening hire, which means you will be involved in the kitchen from the very beginning. Your responsibilities will include participating in menu tastings to contribute ideas, refine recipes, and establish efficient prep systems. You will collaborate closely with ownership to develop a dinner menu that is not only innovative and exciting but also practical to execute at scale. The Sous Chef will also assist in sourcing quality local and regional ingredients and vendors, as well as help build and train the culinary team.

Once the restaurant opens, you will serve as the second-in-command in the kitchen, leading the line during dinner service, maintaining high standards of food quality, and fostering a positive team environment. This role demands a blend of creative passion and operational discipline, requiring you to be equally adept at ideating and perfecting new dishes during tastings and managing a busy, fast-paced kitchen service.

Our ideal candidate is someone who possesses a genuine passion for food, strong culinary techniques, and a solid foundation in kitchen fundamentals. You should bring creative curiosity to the table, have a leadership presence that inspires your team, and exhibit flexibility and professionalism in a dynamic pre-opening environment. Reliability, an organized working style, and a deep investment in building something from the ground up are crucial attributes for success in this role.

In joining our team, you become part of a culinary adventure that values craftsmanship, creativity, and a commitment to excellence. We are dedicated to creating an environment where talent flourishes and innovative ideas are brought to life. This is more than just a job; it is a chance to help launch a restaurant that will be a proud addition to the Downtown San Antonio dining landscape. If you are ready to take on this challenge and contribute your skills to a bold new concept, we encourage you to apply and become a key player in this exciting venture.

Job Requirements

  • Minimum 3 years of kitchen experience, with at least 1 year in a lead or senior cook role
  • Experience in a dinner or fine-casual dining environment strongly preferred
  • Food Handler Manager Certification required or must be obtained within 30 days of hire
  • Strong working knowledge of food safety standards, HACCP principles, and sanitation requirements
  • Experience with menu development, recipe documentation, and costing is a plus
  • Must be available for flexible scheduling including evenings, weekends, and pre-opening prep sessions
  • Catering or events experience is a plus
  • Ability to stand, walk, and move for the full duration of a shift - often 8-10 hours
  • Able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs (bulk ingredients, sheet pans, supply deliveries)
  • Comfortable working in hot kitchen environments near open flame, ovens, and hot surfaces
  • Ability to work in cold environments - walk-in refrigerators and freezers are part of daily work
  • Able to perform repetitive tasks - chopping, slicing, cooking - for extended periods
  • Must be able to reach, bend, kneel, and stoop to access equipment, shelving, and storage
  • Clear verbal communication in a fast-paced, high-noise kitchen environment

Job Qualifications

  • Minimum 3 years of kitchen experience, with at least 1 year in a lead or senior cook role
  • Experience in a dinner or fine-casual dining environment strongly preferred
  • Food Handler Manager Certification required (or must be obtained within 30 days of hire)
  • Strong working knowledge of food safety standards, HACCP principles, and sanitation requirements
  • Experience with menu development, recipe documentation, and costing is a plus

Job Duties

  • Participate actively in menu development tastings - contribute ideas, give honest feedback, and help refine dishes to their best version
  • Collaborate with ownership on building a dinner menu that is approachable, exciting, and executable at scale
  • Help establish kitchen systems - prep lists, station setups, recipe documentation, and portion standards
  • Assist in sourcing and evaluating local and regional ingredients and vendors
  • Help hire and onboard line cooks and prep staff as the team grows
  • Build out training materials and standards for kitchen execution
  • Lead and manage the kitchen line during dinner service in the absence of the head chef
  • Execute all menu items to recipe, portion, and presentation standards with consistency
  • Monitor food quality at every stage - from prep through plating - and hold the team to the same standard
  • Manage station readiness, mise en place, and line setup before each service
  • Train, coach, and develop line cooks and prep staff on technique and standards
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen at all times - lead by example
  • Oversee proper food storage, labeling, rotation, and waste reduction
  • Communicate clearly with front-of-house during service to ensure a seamless guest experience
  • Support catering and private events as needed - prep, execution, and breakdown
  • Flag any equipment issues, supply shortages, or food safety concerns immediately

Job Criteria

Experience

Expert Level (7+ years)


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