Cafe Head Chef - Downtown, DC

Tatte Bakery & Cafe; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 76,000 - 96,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Free meals and drinks

Job summary

Tatte Bakery & Cafe is seeking a Cafe Head Chef to oversee kitchen operations, ensuring food quality and team leadership in a fast-paced environment. Candidates should have 3–5 years of culinary management experience, a passion for excellence, and strong organizational skills.

This role offers a competitive salary of $76,000–$96,000 annually, along with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, and flexible schedules. Join Tatte to elevate the guest experience with your culinary leadership.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of progressive culinary or kitchen management experience.
• Passion for culinary excellence and exceeding guest expectations.
• Strong operational knowledge necessary for kitchen execution.

Responsibilities

• Oversee kitchen operations and lead the kitchen team.
• Maintain food quality, cleanliness, and organization.
• Train staff in food preparation and safety standards.

Skills

Culinary excellence

Kitchen leadership

Operational knowledge

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

A.O.S. Degree in Culinary Arts

Tools

Microsoft Office

Toast POS

Job description

THE ROLE

The Cafe Head Chef is responsible for overseeing all kitchen operations within the café and plays a critical role in the success and growth of the kitchen team. They may supervise up to 25 team members, including Line Cooks, Prep Cooks, and Dishwashers. This role requires the ability to engage, inspire, and lead a strong team while maintaining operational excellence in a fast paced, high volume environment. Our Cafe Head Chefs work closely with both Front and Back of House teams to deliver exceptional food quality, consistency, and hospitality standards throughout the café. Successful Cafe Head Chefs are passionate about culinary excellence, thrive in fast paced kitchen environments, and are committed to developing strong teams while upholding Tatte’s standards for quality, execution, and guest experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead with professionalism, accountability, and strong kitchen leadership
• Maintain high standards for food quality, consistency, cleanliness, and organization
• Develop, coach, and support kitchen team members
• Lead kitchen operations with efficiency and attention to detail
• Uphold all food safety, sanitation, and operational standards
• Live Tatte’s core values and help support our mission
• Have flexibility to work a variety of shifts, including mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays

Scope Of Responsibilities

• Run kitchen production and service according to established operational guidelines
• Follow and enforce recipe, portioning, and presentation standards
• Complete and utilize daily production worksheets and waste logs while monitoring food quality
• Train kitchen staff in food preparation, safe handling, equipment operation, food safety, and sanitation standards
• Establish and maintain cleaning and maintenance schedules for kitchen equipment, storage, and work areas
• Maintain inventory levels within established guidelines while ensuring product availability
• Follow company safety and sanitation policies and procedures
• Participate in meetings, trainings, and professional development programs as needed
• Support implementation and execution of seasonal menu changes
• Other duties as assigned

Essential Functions / Working Conditions

• Ability to work a flexible schedule based on business needs, including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Ability to work 10+ hour shifts and stand, sit, squat, or walk for extended periods of time
• Ability to grasp, reach overhead, push, lift, and carry up to 50 pounds

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 3–5 years of progressive culinary or kitchen management experience, depending on formal education or training
• Proven passion for culinary excellence and exceeding guest expectations
• Strong operational knowledge and understanding of systems, methods, and processes that contribute to successful kitchen executionExcellent verbal and written communication skills
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail
• High school diploma or equivalent

Preferred

• Hospitality Education – A.O.S. Degree in Culinary Arts or Culinary Certificate with required experience
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Previous experience working with UKG/UltiPro, Toast POS, CrunchTime, and TeamworX
• ServSafe, Allergen, and ChokeSaver certifications

Our Benefits & Perks

• Competitive Pay: $76,000–$96,000 annually, depending on experience
• 401(k) with company match
• Parking benefit when applicable
• Free employee assistance program services
• Flexible schedules with no late nights
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid sick and vacation time
• Hands on and classroom style training
• Free meals and drinks
• Exciting potential for growth

Please note that Tatte is an E Verify employer.