Executive Sous Chef

Saboteur is a new restaurant opening in Venice in January 2027. Led by Chef Deb Keetch, it takes its inspiration from the bistros of Europe and translates them through a distinctly Californian lens. We're building something with a strong point of view, and we're looking for an Executive Sous Chef who wants to help bring that world to life.

We're looking for someone who's passionate about food, inspired by classic French cuisine, and excited to help shape the menu. You're already a strong cook and leader, and you want to keep growing as a manager while becoming part of the Los Angeles culinary community.

Running the kitchen

• Help build and maintain thorough systems for receiving, prep, inventory, and service, including the checklists that keep them running.
• Oversee quality control for all food production and execution.
• Cook alongside the team during prep and dinner service.
• Handle administrative duties such as scheduling and ordering.
• Uphold all health and safety standards, including strict sanitation practices.
• Resolve kitchen issues and incidents quickly and effectively.
• Step in for line cooks, prep cooks, dishwashers, and other staff when needed, whether because of unexpected absences, extra volume, or coaching.

Leading the team

• Lead by example. Every back-of-house employee will look to you for guidance on following recipes, cooking technique, behavior, and work ethic.
• Support the Executive Chef in recruiting, training, mentoring, and developing all kitchen staff.
• Build a culture of continued learning through growth plans, regular feedback, and employee reviews.

Shaping the menu and the brand

• Develop new dishes with the Executive Chef through ongoing R&D.
• Be a creative partner in building the world of Saboteur, including collaborations, special projects, and an events program.

• 2+ years of experience as a Sous Chef, with a track record of leading in a fast-paced kitchen and juggling competing priorities.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills, with the ability to set a high standard while fostering a supportive, motivated culture.
• A positive attitude and clear, respectful communication, with patience and empathy toward your team.
• A solutions-oriented mindset: you meet challenges with composure, resourcefulness, and sound judgment.
• High standards of cleanliness and organization.
• Availability for a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

We're creating a restaurant we're proud of: thoughtful food, an interesting beverage program, a distinct point of view, and a team that cares about getting it right. If you've been looking for a project worth putting your name behind, we'd love to hear from you.

Salary: $75,000–$85,000, depending on experience

Benefits and perks: health insurance reimbursement, paid time off, dining discounts, and a cell phone stipend

This position requires seeing, hearing, speaking, reaching, bending, and moving intermittently throughout the shift. It also involves frequently lifting up to 25 pounds, occasionally lifting up to 50 pounds, and sitting or standing for 4 to 8 hours. These requirements may be met with or without reasonable accommodations.

The duties of this position may change from time to time. Saboteur reserves the right to add or remove duties and responsibilities at its discretion or that of its managers. This job description describes the general level of work being performed and is not intended to be all-inclusive.

Saboteur is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender (including gender identity or expression), pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, marital status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, ancestry, national origin, alienage or citizenship, age, disability, military or veteran status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristic, or other protected status.