Job Overview

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Employment Type

Full-time
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Work Schedule

Flexible
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Benefits

competitive pay
flexible scheduling
Training and development opportunities
Employee Discounts
Supportive team environment
Parking accessibility
Opportunity to build a new culinary concept

Job Description

Located in the vibrant heart of Downtown San Antonio, Texas, our establishment is an independent café and dinner concept deeply rooted in craft, creativity, and genuine hospitality. As a new player in the culinary scene, we are currently in the exciting phase of pre-opening development. This means we are diligently building our menu, assembling a talented team, and cultivating a unique identity from the ground up. Our café and dinner program embrace a chef-driven, foodie-focused philosophy that prioritizes quality, innovation, and a refined dining experience. We take every dish seriously, striving to deliver extraordinary flavors and exceptional service. Our approach seamlessly blends traditional culinary techniques with creative experimentation, ensuring each plate served resonates with authenticity and passion. We foster a collaborative environment that values input, encourages experimentation, and nurtures growth for all our team members. Part of our commitment is to engage with local and regional suppliers, sourcing the freshest ingredients to elevate our menu and support our community. Our identity centers on being approachable yet exciting, crafting a welcoming space for guests seeking memorable dining experiences in Downtown San Antonio.

The role we are offering is that of a Sous Chef, a vital leadership position within our kitchen team, designed for an individual eager to be part of an exciting new venture instead of simply maintaining an existing brand. This is a full-time position with a flexible schedule, offering competitive pay based on experience. As a pre-opening hire, the Sous Chef will work alongside our head chef and ownership team to help shape the culinary vision and operational systems before our doors officially open. You will play a pivotal role in menu tastings, dish development, and system creation, ensuring that every aspect of our kitchen runs efficiently and creatively. Once we open, you will serve as the second-in-command, responsible for overseeing dinner service execution, leading the kitchen line, training staff, and maintaining consistency and quality across all menu items.

This role demands a balance of creative passion and operational discipline. The ideal candidate must be comfortable ideating new dishes during tastings and skillfully managing the busy, multifaceted environment of dinner service. Responsibilities extend beyond food preparation to include establishing prep systems, recipe documentation, and sourcing local ingredients. Leadership qualities are essential, as this role involves mentoring, coaching, and developing team members to ensure smooth kitchen operations. We value a clean, organized working style, reliability, professionalism, and a genuine passion for building a culinary concept from scratch. As part of our team, you will experience the rewards of contributing to something special and being part of a close-knit, dynamic group committed to excellence and innovation in hospitality.

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
  • Must be available for flexible scheduling including evenings, weekends, and pre-opening prep sessions
  • Ability to stand, walk, and move for full duration of shifts often 8 to 10 hours
  • Able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs
  • Comfortable working in hot kitchen environments near open flame, ovens, and hot surfaces
  • Ability to work in cold environments such as walk-in refrigerators and freezers
  • Able to perform repetitive tasks like chopping, slicing, and cooking for extended periods
  • Must be able to reach, bend, kneel, and stoop to access equipment 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
  • Ability to lead and manage kitchen staff effectively
  • Strong culinary technique and foundation in kitchen fundamentals
  • Excellent communication and organizational skills
  • Creative curiosity and passion for food
  • Flexible and adaptive to a dynamic, pre-opening environment

Job Duties

  • Participate actively in menu development tastings to contribute ideas and refine dishes
  • Collaborate with ownership on building an approachable, exciting dinner menu executable at scale
  • Help establish kitchen systems including 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 and hold the team to high standards
  • Manage station readiness, mise en place, and line setup before service
  • Train, coach, and develop line cooks and prep staff on technique and standards
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen environment
  • Oversee proper food storage, labeling, rotation, and waste reduction
  • Communicate clearly with front-of-house staff during service
  • Support catering and private events with prep, execution, and breakdown
  • Flag equipment issues, supply shortages, or food safety concerns immediately

Job Criteria

Experience

Expert Level (7+ years)


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