Culinary Field Chef

Job Title: Culinary Field Chef

Classification: Exempt

Reports to: Director of Culinary

Job Summary:
The Culinary Field Chef supports day-to-day field culinary operations across all foodservice programs, ensuring consistent execution of Vallarta standards. This role provides hands-on operational support, coaching, and culinary expertise to Kitchen Managers and foodservice teams, while driving sales growth, product consistency, and an exceptional guest experience across all locations.

This position serves as a key field resource, supporting menu execution, recipe adherence, training, and operational improvements. The Culinary Field Chef collaborates closely with the Corporate Chef and cross-functional teams to support menu development, product rollouts, and company-wide culinary initiatives.

The role plays a critical part in new store openings, training execution, and ongoing operational support, with approximately 80% of time spent in field locations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide culinary and operational support across all foodservice concepts (Taqueria, Tortilleria, Restaurants, etc.).
• Coach and support Kitchen Managers on execution, standards, and guest service.
• Ensure consistency in recipes, portioning, presentation, and flavor profiles.
• Lead training and field execution of new menu items and programs.
• Support product development and assist with implementation in the field.
• Identify operational improvements to improve cost, efficiency, and quality.
• Reinforce company standards, culture, and guest experience expectations.
• Monitor performance and support business initiatives aligned with company goals.

Operational Responsibilities:

• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and sanitation standards.
• Support food cost control, inventory, and operational reporting.
• Maintain kitchen cleanliness, organization, and efficiency.
• Assist with new store openings, remodels, and training execution.
• Ensure consistency of recipes, procedures, and training materials.
• Assist with staffing, onboarding, and team development as needed.

Food Quality & Compliance:

• Enforce recipe adherence, portion control, and food quality standards.
• Maintain HACCP compliance and food safety procedures.
• Monitor temperature control, storage, and handling practices.
• Conduct quality checks for taste, appearance, and consistency.

Customer Service & Experience:

• Deliver and model Vallarta's Nuestra CASA service standards.
• Support strong guest satisfaction and service execution.
• Address customer feedback professionally and promptly.

Team Leadership & Development:

• Provide coaching, training, and development to culinary teams.
• Promote accountability, teamwork, and performance standards.
• Partner with leadership on performance and operational needs.

Collaboration & Communication:

• Support operations across Taqueria, Prepared Foods, Juice Bar, Grab & Go, and Catering as assigned.
• Maintain clear communication with leadership regarding production needs, shortages, or operational challenges.
• Ensure timely escalation of issues that may impact food safety, quality, or service.

Safety:

• Enforce all safety procedures and proper equipment use.
• Report incidents and maintain safe working conditions.
• Ensure adherence to company policies and standards.

Other Duties:

• Support all current and future culinary programs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• Minimum 5+ years in culinary, restaurant, or multi-unit operations leadership.
• Strong experience in foodservice operations and team development.
• Experience in recipe development or multi-unit support preferred.
• Strong knowledge of food cost, labor, and inventory controls.
• Ability to train and lead in a fast-paced environment.
• High School Diploma required; Culinary Degree preferred.
• Equivalent experience may be considered.

Working Conditions:

• Fast-paced kitchen and retail environment.
• Frequent standing, walking, and lifting (up to 50 lbs.).
• Exposure to hot/cold environments and kitchen equipment.
• Moderate to loud noise levels.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is an exempt position. Work schedules may vary based on business needs, requiring flexibility in hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Approximately 80% of travel is required within the company's operating regions, including overnight stays. Mileage reimbursement is provided for approved business travel.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and employees may perform other duties as directed. All employees are expected to perform any reasonable task or request that is consistent with fulfilling company goals and objectives.

As of 2022, Vallarta counts on 53 stores throughout California (Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Kern, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Tulare, Orange, and Fresno counties), and more than 8,000 team members. The Gonzalez family promises to continue to strive for excellence in everything we do so that our valued customers always have a Vallarta supermarket to call their own.From one small carnicería in Van Nuys in 1985 to 53 full-service markets across California, Vallarta Supermarkets is a living, breathing tribute to the hard work and customer dedication of our founding family and all of our valued employees.Vallarta Supermarkets was founded by Enrique Gonzalez Sr., who was later joined in the business by his four brothers, his son and nephew. Their family roots and humble origins began in the tiny town of Jalostotitlán, Jalisco, Mexico, where Enrique and his brothers were raised on a meager farm. Their parents instilled in them at very young ages the importance of family and the power of a strong work ethic to overcome challenges.When the opportunity arose to immigrate in the 1960’s, the Gonzalez family was thankful to stake their claim in the “land of opportunity,” the United States of America. Right away, the five brothers got to work in restaurants, either as short-order cooks or bussing tables. Even though some of the brothers were still in school, they all worked to help the family make ends meet.In 1985, Enrique Gonzalez Sr. began his journey in the grocery business when he opened Carniceria Vallarta in a 1,000 sq. ft market in Van Nuys, CA. He focused on selling the traditional cuts of meats popular in his native Mexico with an emphasis on unequaled quality and the friendliest of customer service. He soon expanded the business to a second location and brought his four brothers into the business. From there the adventure truly began, as they worked together as a family to build both a reputation for excellence and a successful business.The Gonzalez brothers believed that the key to Vallarta’s success would be to combine elevated customer service with the highest quality products to serve the growing Hispanic community whose needs may not be addressed by big chain stores.That’s why, from the beginning, Vallarta Supermarkets offered a wider variety of the freshest, traditional foods from Mexico, and Central and South America than any other store. They offered specialty and traditional items customers couldn’t find anywhere else: cut-to-order Latin-style meats (ranchera, diesmillo, lomo de res), spices, fresh fruit and produce, delicious prepared foods, pan dulce made daily, plus everything else you would expect from a traditional grocery store. Fast forward to today where Vallarta has expanded its offerings to include a juice and aquas frescas bar, tortilleria, bakery (panaderia), a cevicheria and more.