AYA SOUS CHEF

Graton Resort & Casino; Rohnert Park (CA); On-site; USD 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

The Aya Sous Chef at Graton Resort & Casino is a key leadership role in the Rooftop Restaurant, helping to deliver an elevated dining experience in a refined, luxury setting. You’ll support the Rooftop Executive Chef and Chef de Cuisine, assist with daily kitchen operations, and drive consistency in food quality and presentation in a fast-paced environment.

You will manage inventory, contribute to menu development, and mentor kitchen staff while upholding safety standards and cost controls.

Qualifications

• Five years of culinary experience required.
• Restaurant management experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of cost control and menu planning.
• Ability to lead, coach, and communicate clearly.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily kitchen operations in a high-volume rooftop setting.
• Develop and refine recipes aligned with Graton’s brand.
• Mentor staff, manage schedules, and ensure food quality.
• Monitor inventory, costs, and safety standards.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to execute the culinary vision.

Skills

Culinary Leadership

High-volume Cooking

Menu Development

Cost Control

Staff Mentoring

Food Safety

Communication

Job description

Position Summary

The Aya Sous Chef plays a vital supporting leadership role within Graton Resort & Casino's premier
Rooftop Restaurant, contributing to an elevated dining experience that reflects the venue's refined and luxurious atmosphere. This position combines hands‑on culinary skill with operational support to ensure high‑quality food preparation, consistency, and presentation in a fast‑paced, high‑volume environment.
The Sous Chef works closely with and supports the Rooftop Executive Chef and Chef de Cuisine in
executing the culinary vision for the restaurant. Responsibilities include assisting with daily kitchen
operations, staff coordination, recipe execution, inventory support, and maintaining cost‑control standards. The Sous Chef upholds strict safety and sanitation practices while promoting teamwork, communication, and continuous improvement. Through reliable execution, strong culinary technique, and positive leadership, the Sous Chef helps drive the property's commitment to becoming Sonoma County's premier dining destination.

Essential Functions

• 1. Responsible for redefining hospitality at Graton Resort & Casino while living, supporting, and
  promoting our values.
• 2. Perform responsibilities in accordance with all Company standards, policies, and procedures.
• 3. Oversee Daily Kitchen Operations - Manage all aspects of kitchen operations, ensuring smooth
  execution of food production, team coordination, and service efficiency. Direct, mentor, and
  support kitchen staff, ensuring adherence to food preparation standards.
• 4. Develop and Execute Recipes - Create and refine recipes that align with Graton's brand and guest expectations, ensuring proper execution of standardized recipes.
• 5. Ensure Food Quality and Consistency - Oversee all food production, maintaining high standards
  in taste, presentation, and portion control.
• 6. Manage Production - Review upcoming events and forecasts to coordinate production and ensure adequate preparation.
• 7. Maintain Inventory and Cost Control - Implement inventory management procedures, monitor food usage, and ensure proper stock levels for continuous kitchen operations. Participate in annual
  budget planning, oversee financial forecasting, and implement cost‑saving measures while
  maintaining quality.
• 8. Execute Leadership Directives - Follow all guidance from Food & Beverage Operations and
  Property leadership, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• 9. Enforce Safety and Sanitation Standards - Uphold all Department of Health, OSHA, and company
  standards regulations to maintain a clean, hazard‑free kitchen. Monitor and maintain kitchen
  equipment and facilities, addressing any operational and work safety concerns promptly.
• 10. Schedule and Assign Tasks Efficiently - Create and manage team schedules, ensuring optimal
  staffing levels while maintaining labor cost controls.
• 11. Uphold Department Policies and Standards - Enforce company policies, procedures, and service
  standards while fostering a positive and productive work environment.
• 12. Manage Performance and Accountability - Provide regular feedback, coaching, and corrective
  action to ensure fair and consistent performance management.
• 13. Maintain Accurate Team Member Records - Oversee attendance tracking, payroll accuracy, and
  coaching documentation.
• 14. This job description is not an exclusive or exhaustive list of all job functions that a team member in this position may be asked to perform from time to time. Duties and responsibilities can be changed, expanded, reduced, or delegated by Management to meet the business needs of the
  property.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• 1. Ability to communicate effectively with Guests, Team Members, and Management in both written
  and verbal form. Must be able to speak, read, and write fluently in English.
• 2. Culinary Experience - Minimum of five (5) years of culinary experience in related fields.
• 3. Restaurant Management Experience - At least one (1) year of experience in restaurant
  management in a similar cuisine and/or volume.
• 4. Comprehensive Restaurant Operation Knowledge - Strong understanding of profit and loss statements, cost control, menu planning, budgeting, training, inventory control, and sanitation.
• 5. Hands-On Culinary Expertise - Ability to work in all aspects of kitchen operations, including high
  volume production across breakfast, lunch, and dinner services. Proficiency in fine dining
  techniques, butchering, baking, soups, stocks, sauces, roasting, sautéing, broiling, grilling, and
  cold food production.
• 6. Effective Communication - Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with guests, Team
  Members, and management in both written and verbal forms.
• 7. Management & Independence - Strong ability to manage time effectively and work independently
  with minimal supervision.
• 8. Schedule Flexibility - Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and
  holidays as needed.
• 9. Must possess or obtain a California Food Handler Certification.
• 10. Must be at least 21 years of age.
• 11. Ability to handle a flexible work schedule, working weekends, holidays, and all shifts.

Physical Requirements

• 1. Dexterity: full use of arms and hands to hold, grab, pick up objects up to 7 hours/ day 88% of shift
• 2. Standing: unassisted up to 7 hours/day for 88% of the shift
• 3. Walking: up to 7 hours/day for 88% of the shift
• 4. Bending: 2 hours/day for 25% of the shift
• 5. Twisting: 2 hours/day for 25% of the shift
• 6. Climbing: including ladders, less than 1 hour/day for 13% of the shift
• 7. Kneeling: 1 hour/day for 13% of the shift
• 8. Squatting: 1 hour/day for 13% of the shift
• 9. Lift/Carry/Pull: up to 50 lbs. up to 1 hour/day for 13% of the shift
• 10. Push: up to 100 lbs. using a pushcart up to 1 hour/day for 13% of the shift
• 11. Reaching: above the shoulders with the use of arms for 1 hour/day for 13% of the shift

Pay Rate

$75,000 Annually