Marketing / Public Relations Coordinator

Marketing / Public Relations Coordinator

Shota Omakase — Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Shota Omakase is a Michelin-starred Edomae sushi restaurant in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, founded by Chef Owner Cheng Lin.

Since opening in August 2023, Shota has received significant recognition for its commitment to traditional Edomae sushi, exceptional Japanese ingredients, and Chef Cheng’s personal approach to sushi.

Shota was recognized as a 2026 James Beard Awards semifinalist for Best Chef: New York State, in addition to its Michelin recognition and other national and New York City press.

We are looking for a passionate, creative, and highly motivated Marketing / Public Relations Coordinator to work closely with Chef Owner Cheng Lin and the Shota team.

This is an in-house position, five days per week, approximately 8 hours per day, with a salary of $70,000 per year, depending on experience.

This is not simply a social media position. We are looking for someone who wants to deeply understand Shota—our history, philosophy, food, culture, people, and the story behind what we do—and help communicate that story to the world.

The ideal candidate should have a genuine love for food, Japanese cuisine, sushi, and restaurant culture, with knowledge of or experience with Edomae-style sushi.

You will work directly with Chef Owner Cheng Lin, learning about Shota’s history, philosophy, sourcing, ingredients, techniques, and the journey behind the restaurant. As Shota continues to grow, there may also be opportunities to travel with Chef Cheng for collaborations, guest chef events, pop-ups, and other projects.

We are looking for someone who doesn’t simply want a marketing job. We want someone who wants to become part of Shota’s story and help tell it authentically.

Who We Are Looking For

The ideal candidate:

• Has a genuine love and passion for food, restaurants, Japanese cuisine, and sushi
• Has a strong understanding of Japanese food culture
• Has knowledge of or experience with Edomae-style sushi
• Understands the importance of sushi beyond the fish—including rice, vinegar, wasabi, nikiri, technique, seasonality, and tradition
• Is genuinely interested in learning about Shota’s history, philosophy, culture, and journey
• Has strong photography and videography skills
• Knows how to take beautiful, high-quality food and restaurant photographs
• Can shoot, edit, and produce engaging short-form videos and Reels
• Has excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Is comfortable communicating with media, influencers, photographers, and industry professionals
• Is organized, responsible, detail-oriented, and proactive
• Can work independently while working closely with Chef Owner Cheng Lin
• Has a strong sense of aesthetics, storytelling, and brand identity
• Is willing to learn and grow with Shota for the long term
• Is flexible and open to future travel with Chef Cheng for events, collaborations, pop-ups, and other Shota-related opportunities

Most importantly, we are looking for someone who loves food and wants to understand the story behind the food.

ResponsibilitiesSocial Media & Content

• Manage and grow Shota’s Instagram and other social media platforms
• Plan and maintain a consistent content calendar
• Create, shoot, edit, and publish engaging content
• Photograph sushi, ingredients, restaurant experiences, events, and behind-the-scenes moments
• Shoot and edit short-form videos and Reels
• Develop creative concepts for photography and video
• Help tell Chef Cheng’s story and Shota’s philosophy through visual content
• Maintain a consistent, sophisticated, and authentic Shota visual identity

Marketing & Brand Development

• Develop and execute marketing initiatives in collaboration with Chef Cheng
• Help strengthen Shota’s brand, reputation, and visibility
• Promote seasonal menus, special events, collaborations, and other Shota experiences
• Develop creative campaigns that communicate Shota’s identity and philosophy
• Coordinate website updates and marketing materials
• Help manage email marketing and guest communications
• Identify opportunities to increase awareness, engagement, and reservations

Public Relations & Media

• Build and maintain relationships with food writers, journalists, editors, influencers, photographers, and industry professionals
• Coordinate media visits and press opportunities
• Assist with PR campaigns and media outreach
• Track Shota’s press coverage, awards, rankings, and mentions
• Prepare information, photography, and other materials for media requests
• Identify opportunities for Shota to be featured in relevant publications and platforms
• Help communicate Shota’s story accurately and authentically to the media

Guest & Database Marketing

• Develop marketing opportunities through our Resy and guest database
• Create appropriate guest communications and email campaigns
• Monitor guest engagement and marketing performance
• Develop ideas to strengthen relationships with returning and new guests

Events & Collaborations

• Help promote and coordinate Shota collaborations, sake events, guest chef dinners, and special events
• Work closely with Chef Cheng before, during, and after events
• Create photo and video content around collaborations and special experiences
• Coordinate photography, video, media, and promotional needs for events
• Assist with future pop-ups, travel, and special projects with Chef Cheng

Analytics & Results

• Track social media and marketing performance
• Monitor engagement, reach, audience growth, media coverage, and other relevant results
• Provide regular updates and reports to Chef Cheng
• Use data and results to improve future marketing efforts

Working Directly With Chef Owner Cheng Lin

This position will work closely and directly with Chef Owner Cheng Lin.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to learn firsthand about Chef Cheng’s career, Shota’s history, Edomae sushi, Japanese ingredients and traditions, and the philosophy behind the restaurant.

You will be expected to spend time learning why Shota does things the way we do, not simply promoting the restaurant from the outside.

Understanding Shota’s story is an important part of this position. You should be curious about the ingredients we use, where they come from, how they are prepared, the importance of seasonality, and the philosophy behind each dish and each part of the guest experience.

As the position develops, there may be opportunities to travel with Chef Cheng for collaborations, guest chef events, pop-ups, and other Shota projects.

What We Value

At Shota, we value:

Passion.Humility.Curiosity.Responsibility.Attention to detail.Respect for tradition.Creativity.Continuous learning.

We are looking for someone who is not afraid to learn, ask questions, get involved, and take responsibility.

You should be someone who sees a beautiful piece of fish, a bowl of sushi rice, a traditional technique, or a moment at the counter—and wants to understand the story behind it.

You should also understand that marketing Shota means understanding Shota first.

Schedule & Compensation

Position: Marketing / Public Relations Coordinator
Location: Shota Omakase — Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Schedule: 5 days per week, approximately 8 hours per day
Salary: $70,000 per year, depending on experience

This is an in-house position and requires regular presence at Shota.

How to Apply

Please send:

• Resume
• Portfolio
• Examples of photography and video work
• Social media accounts or examples of social media work
• Examples of marketing or PR work, if available
• A brief introduction explaining why you would like to work with Shota

We are especially interested in candidates who can demonstrate strong food photography, videography, short-form video editing, storytelling, and an understanding of Japanese food and restaurant culture.

We are looking for someone who wants to grow with Shota—not simply someone looking for a job.

If you love food, storytelling, Japanese culture, and hospitality, and you want to be part of the next chapter of Shota, we would love to hear from you.