Culinary Leader / Dynamic Restaurant Chef

Little Saint – Healdsburg, CA

Located in the heart of historic downtown Healdsburg, Little Saint is more than a restaurant — it’s a vibrant community hub where food, music, art, and conversation come together. Our mission is to create an environment that is good for the soul, the earth, and the community. Inside our 10,000-square-foot space, we offer a full-service farm-forward restaurant, bar, and wine shop, all rooted in plant-based cuisine. Little Saint also hosts live music, film, and cultural events that uplift artists and our farming partners.

We are seeking a Restaurant Chef to lead our all-day dining program. This is a high-profile position — guest-facing, farm-connected, and integral to the continued success of Little Saint. The Restaurant Chef reports to both the Director of Culinary and the Culinary Operations Manager, working hand-in-hand to balance creativity, operational rigor, and fiscal responsibility.

This role is about more than running a kitchen — it’s about being a culinary leader: stewarding a vision for how food can bring people together, delivering excellence in daily operations, and inspiring a team to grow in their craft while elevating Little Saint as a leader in plant-based cuisine.

Culinary Leadership

• Lead daily menu execution with consistency and creativity
  
  
• Balance nostalgia and innovation to create food that excites and welcomes
  
  
• Collaborate with the Director of Culinary on long-term, farm-driven menu planning
  
  

Operational Excellence

• Oversee prep, service execution, and food quality standards
  
  
• Uphold food safety, sanitation, and allergen protocols
  
  
• Manage ordering, receiving, inventory, and waste reduction
  
  
• Take ownership of P&L performance and labor management
  
  
• Partner closely with the Culinary Operations Manager to ensure systems run smoothly
  
  

Team Development

• Mentor, train, and empower sous chefs, supervisors, and cooks
  
  
• Build systems of accountability, communication, and collaboration
  
  
• Foster a positive and inclusive workplace culture aligned with Little Saint’s values
  
  

Community Engagement

• Act as an ambassador with guests, farmers, and collaborators
  
  
• Represent Little Saint at events and activations
  
  
• Help position Little Saint as a leader in vegan cuisine and hospitality
  
  

• 5+ years of progressive culinary leadership in high-volume, values-driven settings
  
  
• Strong financial acumen with P&L management experience
  
  
• Deep respect for vegan cuisine, sustainable food systems, and farm-to-table practices
  
  
• A motivating leader with a proven ability to develop teams and inspire collaboration
  
  
• Warm, guest-facing communicator with professional presence
  
  
• California Food Safety Certified or Servsafe Manager Certified
  
  

• Competitive salary
  
  
• Medical, dental, and vision plans (for full-time positions)
  
  
• Paid time off
  
  
• 401(k)
  
  
• Employee dining discounts
  
  
• Employee assistance program
  
  

• One Little Saint – Success is shared success
  
  
• Respect & Kindness – Drive change with positivity
  
  
• Value Everyone – Lead with empathy and embrace diverse viewpoints
  
  
• Trust & Transparency – Earn respect through example
  
  
• Professional – Approach every task with enthusiasm and dedication
  
  
• Genuine & Authentic – Communicate with presence and honesty
  
  
• Supportive – Show up for your team and embrace change
  
  

Little Saint is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse team, sustaining an inclusive culture, and fostering continuous growth and development.