Required Years of Experience
2 years
Job Details
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Job Type: Full-time, In Person
Pay: $73,500 - $81,500 per year
A successful, high-volume restaurant in Palo Alto is seeking an experienced Sous Chef to join its culinary leadership team.
This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on kitchen leader who loves being in the action. We're looking for someone who can lead a busy service, manage expo, coach and develop a large BOH team, and confidently take ownership of the kitchen when the Chef is not there.
This is not a desk-heavy or primarily menu-development role. The right Sous Chef enjoys cooking, thrives during high-volume service, and leads from the floor.
What You'll Do
- Help lead daily BOH operations in a high volume restaurant
- Run expo and maintain strong ticket times, communication and execution during service
- Step onto the line and cook alongside the team whenever needed
- Take ownership of kitchen operations when the Chef is off
- Coach, train and develop cooks and BOH team members
- Maintain consistency in food quality, preparation, presentation and execution
- Support inventory, ordering and vendor communication
- Help manage food cost, labor, waste and other key operating metrics
- Maintain high standards for food safety, sanitation and kitchen organization
- Assist with hiring, training and performance management
- Build a positive, respectful and accountable kitchen culture
What We're Looking For
Above everything else, we're looking for leadership, attitude and humility.
The ideal Sous Chef has:
- Previous Sous Chef, Kitchen Manager or culinary leadership experience in a busy, high-volume restaurant
- Strong line-cooking skills and the ability to work multiple stations when needed
- Experience running expo and controlling a demanding service
- Confidence leading and developing a large BOH team
- A hands-on leadership style and willingness to jump in wherever needed
- Experience with inventory, ordering, food cost, labor and waste controls
- Strong knowledge of food safety and sanitation standards
- Excellent communication, organization and decision-making skills
- A dependable, proactive and low-ego approach to leadership
- Availability to work evenings, weekends and holidays as required by restaurant operations
Spanish-speaking ability is strongly preferred, particularly the ability to communicate effectively with a Spanish-speaking BOH team.
A culinary degree is preferred but not required. Equivalent hands-on restaurant experience is absolutely welcome.
The Operation
This is a substantial, high-volume restaurant operation with approximately $8M-$10M in annual sales and a 30-40 person BOH team.
We're looking for someone who has worked in a true volume environment and understands how to balance speed, consistency, quality, labor and team leadership during demanding services.
Compensation
- Base Salary: $73,500
- Annual Performance Bonus: Up to $8,000
- Bonus opportunity tied to restaurant performance, including sales, labor and food-cost metrics
Benefits
- 401(k)
- Medical health insurance with significant employer contribution
- Company-paid dental insurance
- Vision insurance available
- 15 paid vacation days annually
- Additional unpaid vacation eligibility after one year
- Manager meals during shifts
Interview Process
Our interview process is practical and designed to give both sides a clear understanding of the opportunity:
- Initial video interview
- Interview with culinary leadership
- In-person meeting and approximately 2-4 hour restaurant stage
- Professional reference checks
Work Location: In person – Palo Alto, CA
Compensation Details
Compensation: Salary ($73,500.00 - $81,500.00)
Benefits & Perks: Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Paid Time Off, 401k, Potential Bonuses
Required Skills
Ability to Thrive in High Pressure Environments
Team Collaboration
Coaching and Mentoring
Problem Solving
Adaptability
Time Management
Attention to Detail
Customer Service Orientation
Read more
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Working for the chefs, operators, and culinary leaders that make hospitality thrive.
KD Sweetwater Services was founded with one simple goal: to help San Diego’s restaurants, hotels, and hospitality groups hire better people—faster and smarter.
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