Cafe Head Chef - Manhattan

Tatte Bakery & Café; New York (NY); On-site; USD 82,000 - 108,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Health, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid vacation

Free meals during shifts

Flexible schedules with no late nights

Job summary

Tatte Bakery & Café is seeking a Chef to oversee all kitchen operations at our Upper East Side café. You will lead a team of up to 25, ensuring high-quality, from-scratch food and exceptional hospitality in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

The role requires 3–5 years of kitchen management, strong leadership, and a passion for culinary excellence. Join a brand rooted in community, growth opportunities, and a commitment to quality.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3–5 years of progressive culinary or kitchen management experience.
• Proven passion for culinary excellence and exceeding guest expectations.
• Knowledge of systems and processes for strong kitchen execution.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Run production and service according to established guidelines.
• Follow standardized recipes, portioning, and presentation standards.
• Complete daily production worksheets and waste logs.
• Train kitchen staff in food preparation, safety, and sanitation.
• Establish and maintain cleaning and maintenance schedules for equipment and areas.
• Maintain inventory within guidelines and ensure product availability.
• Support seasonal menu changes and participate in meetings.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Team management

Communication

Food safety

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

B.S./A.S. in Culinary Arts or related field

Tools

Toast POS

UltiPro Onboarding

CrunchTime

Teamworks

Job description

630059-Upper East Side
1597 2nd Ave
New York, NY 10028, USA

630059-Upper East Side
1597 2nd Ave
New York, NY 10028, USA

Founded by Tzurit Or in 2007, Tatte Bakery began in a home kitchen and at Boston farmers markets before opening its first café in Brookline, Massachusetts. What started as a small neighborhood bakery has grown into a beloved brand with cafés throughout Greater Boston, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and the Tri-State area. While each café has its own unique personality, all are rooted in the same original spirit of Tatte: a welcoming place to gather, feel at home, and find inspiration, comfort, and joy.

At Tatte, we are a team of people from diverse backgrounds working together to inspire, care for, and nurture life every day. We welcome individuals who are passionate, ambitious, genuine, and love people, food, pastry, and coffee. If you are excited to be part of our journey, there are many ways to join our team and opportunities to grow for those who want to learn and build a career with us.

THE ROLE

As a Chef at Tatte, you will oversee all kitchen operations at your café and are ultimately responsible for the success and growth of your kitchen team. Our Chefs may be responsible for supervising up to 25 team members, including Cooks, Prep Cooks, and Dishwashers. The ability to engage, inspire, and lead a strong team is a must. A passion for amazing food made from scratch and genuine hospitality are absolute musts at Tatte.

The Chef is responsible for overall kitchen execution in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Run production and service according to established guidelines
• Follow standardized recipes, portioning, and presentation standards
• Complete and utilize daily production worksheets and waste log sheets
• Taste completed meals to ensure quality
• Train kitchen staff in food preparation, safe handling, equipment operation, food safety, and sanitation based on company and regulatory standards
• Establish and maintain cleaning and maintenance schedules for equipment, storage, and work areas
• Ensure kitchen staff follows and completes assigned cleaning and maintenance schedules
• Maintain inventory within established guidelines while ensuring necessary products are available when needed
• Follow company safety and sanitation policies and procedures, including occurrence reporting
• Participate in departmental meetings, staff development, and professional programs as appropriate
• Support the implementation of seasonal menu changes
• Perform other duties as assigned

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / WORKING CONDITIONS

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

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 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
• Knowledge and proficiency in the systems, methods, and processes that contribute to strong kitchen execution
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate professionally and effectively
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail
• High school diploma or equivalent

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• B.S. or A.S. degree in Culinary Arts, Food Service Technology or Management, or a related field
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Previous experience with UltiPro Onboarding and Recruiting, Toast POS, CrunchTime, and Teamworks
• ServSafe, Allergen, and ChokeSaver certifications

OUR BENEFITS & PERKS

• Competitive Pay: $82,000–$108,000 annually, depending on experience
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid vacation
• Parking benefit where applicable
• Flexible schedules with no late nights
• Free meals and beverages during each shift
• Free mental health support
• Free Employee Assistance Program services
• Hands‑on and classroom‑style training
• An inclusive community that offers potential for growth

Learn more about us at tattebakery.com.

Join us on our journey to create something special!

Please note that Tatte is an E-Verify employer.

Qualifications

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Education

Experience

Licenses & Certifications

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.