Chef de Cuisine

Chef de Cuisine

¡Salud!
Venice, CA

Position Summary

¡Salud! is seeking a hands-on CDC to help lead our culinary team and oversee daily kitchen operations.

The position averages approximately 30-40 hours per week and plays a critical role in maintaining food quality, consistency, cleanliness, organization and team accountability while supporting the execution of our evening tapas programs.

The CDC works closely with ownership to ensure smooth day-to-day operations, proper prep execution, strong communication between FOH and BOH and a positive team culture rooted in hospitality and professionalism.

This position requires strong leadership, culinary knowledge, attention to detail, urgency and the ability to lead by example in a fast-paced environment.

Must be able to communicate effectively in both English and Spanish and have experience with Latin cuisine

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Kitchen Operations & Prep Oversight

• Supervise daily kitchen prep and production.
• Ensure prep lists are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Verify food quality, freshness, labeling, dating, rotation and storage standards.
• Maintain proper pars for all menu items and communicate shortages proactively.
• Ensure recipes, preparation methods and portion standards are consistently followed.
• Support ordering, inventory awareness and waste reduction initiatives.

Inventory Management

• Conduct weekly inventory and par checks

Service Leadership & Execution

• Lead kitchen operations during dinner service.
• Monitor ticket times, pacing, communication and station readiness.
• Provide real-time support and direction to cooks during service.
• Ensure all dishes meet presentation, quality and consistency standards.
• Address operational issues quickly to maintain a smooth guest experience.
• Assist stations directly during peak business periods.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead by example through professionalism, accountability and positive communication.
• Train and coach kitchen team members on proper techniques, execution, organization and cleanliness.
• Support onboarding and development of new employees.
• Maintain performance expectations and uphold company standards.
• Provide constructive feedback and communicate performance concerns to management.

Food Safety, Cleanliness & Organization

• Enforce all food safety and sanitation procedures.
• Maintain clean and organized workstations, walk-ins, dry storage, prep areas and equipment.
• Ensure all products are properly labeled, dated, rotated and stored.
• Oversee daily cleaning and opening/closing responsibilities.
• Identify and address cleanliness or organizational issues immediately.

Operational Support

• Assist with opening and closing kitchen procedures.
• Communicate maintenance needs, equipment concerns, and operational challenges.
• Help maintain labor efficiency and support cost-control initiatives.
• Participate in menu rollouts, recipe updates, and operational improvements.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of kitchen leadership, lead line cook or supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience in brunch, café, or full-service restaurant environments strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation and kitchen operations.
• Ability to lead and motivate a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication, organization and time-management skills.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to consistency.
• Ability to remain calm and professional under pressure.
• Availability to work mornings or evenings, weekends and holidays as needed.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work in a hot, fast-paced kitchen environment.
• Frequent bending, reaching, lifting, and repetitive motions.

Schedule Expectations

• Approximately 30 - 40 hours per week
• Typical shifts between 3 :00 PM – 11:00 PM
• Must be able to work Tuesday - Saturday
• Focus on dinner service, kitchen execution, closing procedures and evening team leadership

Schedules may vary based on business demands, events, staffing levels and operational needs.

Compensation

Compensation: $27 per hour + tips

Benefits & Perks

• Dining discounts
• Growth opportunities within a growing hospitality company
• Ongoing training and development
• Opportunity to contribute to menu development and culinary innovation
• Positive and collaborative team culture

About ¡Salud!

¡Salud! is a specialty coffee shop by day and cocktail bar by night located in Venice, CA. Inspired by Latin culture, hospitality, and craftsmanship, our mission is to bring people together through beautifully crafted food, coffee, and cocktails.

We're building a team of passionate hospitality professionals who care deeply about guest experience, teamwork, and creating something special for our community.

If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, take pride in your work and enjoy leading by example, we'd love to meet you.