Chef

Bring Your Mexican Cuisine Expertise to a Chef Role Where Your Leadership Can Make a Real Impact:

Join Lolita's Mexican Cantina in Westwood, New Jersey, as our next Chef and take the lead in creating memorable, high quality Mexican dining experiences. This is an opportunity for a passionate culinary professional, Kitchen Manager, Executive Chef, or Sous Chef ready to step up to shape menus, inspire a kitchen team, and deliver food guests will return for. You will have the room to bring your ideas, standards, and creativity to a restaurant that values exceptional flavor, consistency, and hospitality.

What You Will Do:

• Lead daily kitchen operations, preparing authentic and contemporary Mexican cuisine with attention to flavor, presentation, portion control, and speed of service.
• Develop and refine menu offerings, specials, and catering selections that showcase fresh ingredients and appeal to guests.
• Coach kitchen staff on cooking techniques, knife skills, grilling, fryer operation, baking, food preparation, and professional kitchen practices.
• Maintain high standards for food quality, sanitation, food handling, and guest satisfaction during every shift.
• Manage inventory, ordering, waste reduction, and product rotation to support cost-conscious, well-organized food and beverage operations.
• Ensure the kitchen follows food safety procedures, including Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point principles and local health requirements.

What You Will Bring:

• You bring proven hands-on experience as a Chef, Head Chef, Executive Chef, Kitchen Manager, Sous Chef, or culinary leader in a high-volume restaurant environment.
• You have strong experience preparing Mexican cuisine and understand how to deliver bold, consistent flavors across a full menu.
• You can lead by example, build a respectful team culture, and maintain calm, focused execution during busy service periods.
• You demonstrate excellent menu planning, food quality control, portion control, and cost-management skills.
• You understand food safety and sanitation practices; ServSafe certification or comparable food safety certification is strongly preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with catering, special events, merchandising, or developing seasonal menu features will help you make an even greater contribution.
• Formal culinary education is welcome, but equivalent professional kitchen experience and demonstrated leadership are highly valued.
• An interest in wellness-minded menu options and guest dietary considerations is a plus.

Compensation and Benefits:

• This in-person Chef position in Westwood, NJ offers an annual salary of $65,000 to $75,000, based on experience and qualifications.
• Eligible team members receive health insurance coverage.

About the Company:

Lolitas Mexican Cantina is a company that operates in the Restaurants industry. It employs 11-20 people and has $0M-$1M of revenue. The company is headquartered in North Bergen, New Jersey. As part of a close-knit restaurant team, you can enjoy the visibility and influence that comes from working in a smaller organization where your culinary leadership matters. This is a place to take pride in your craft, collaborate closely with colleagues, and help create a dining destination known for vibrant Mexican food and welcoming service.

Equal Opportunity:

Lolita's Mexican Cantina is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes qualified applicants from all backgrounds. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, and business needs.

Ready to Lead:

If you are a skilled Chef who is ready to elevate Mexican cuisine, mentor a kitchen team, and create something special, apply today for this rewarding Westwood opportunity.

Employment Type: Full Time
Years Experience: 3 - 5 years
Salary: $65,000 - $75,000 Annual
Bonus/Commission: Yes