Italian Kitchen Lead & Sous Chef — Growth Path

About Us Passione Emporio is part of Passione Brands, a family of Italian restaurants and food producers rooted in authenticity, quality, and passion. Our Berkeley restaurant showcases handcrafted pasta, pizza, and gelato made with premium ingredients from our own food production facility. We believe in teamwork, respect, and the pursuit of culinary excellence — with opportunities to grow across our restaurant group. Position Overview We are seeking a Sous Chef / Kitchen Lead to join our culinary team in Berkeley. This position will begin as a hands-on Sous Chef role, supporting daily kitchen operations, and will evolve into a Kitchen Lead role with oversight of ordering, prep systems, and kitchen organization. The ideal candidate is a motivated and disciplined professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, leads by example, and is passionate about Italian cuisine and consistent quality. Responsibilities Culinary Operations Assist the Executive Chef in daily kitchen operations and ensure smooth service. Maintain consistent execution of menu items, including pizza, pasta, and specials. Supervise food preparation and ensure adherence to recipes, quality standards, and portion control. Oversee line setup, prep, and closing procedures. Support product transfers, inventory management, and communication with our production facility. Leadership & Training Lead, motivate, and train BOH staff to uphold the company’s standards of quality and cleanliness. Communicate effectively with FOH and management to ensure seamless service. Model professionalism, punctuality, and positive leadership. Assist in hiring, onboarding, and performance evaluation of kitchen team members. Management & Growth Manage daily prep lists, par levels, and kitchen organization. Support ordering and vendor relations with an eye on cost control and efficiency. Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and HACCP guidelines. As the role develops, take ownership of scheduling, inventory, and kitchen leadership as Kitchen Lead Qualifications 2+ years of experience as a Sous Chef or Lead Cook in a high-volume kitchen (Italian cuisine preferred). Strong leadership and communication skills. Solid understanding of kitchen operations, prep systems, and inventory management. ServSafe or California Food Handler certification (or ability to obtain). Ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays as needed. Passion for Italian food, teamwork, and growing within a company. Compensation & Growth Competitive hourly or salary compensation based on experience. Opportunity for advancement into Kitchen Lead role with additional responsibilities and pay. Employee meals, training, and career growth within Passione Brands’ restaurant group. Job Types: Full-time, Part-time Work Location: In person #J-18808-Ljbffr Torsap Thai Kitchen