Cafe Head Chef (Savory) - Northern Virginia

Tatte Bakery & Café; Ashburn (VA); On-site; USD 76,000 - 96,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Health insurance

401(k) match

Paid vacation

Flexible schedules

Free meals

Mental health support

Job summary

Tatte Bakery & Café in Northern Virginia seeks a Cafe Head Chef (Savory) to oversee all kitchen operations and lead up to 25 team members in a fast-paced, high-volume cafe.

You will train staff, maintain recipes and standards, and drive seasonal menu changes while delivering exceptional guest experiences.

This role requires a strong culinary leadership presence, sharp operations focus, and a passion for from-scratch cooking that aligns with our Eastern Mediterranean-inspired menu.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3–5 years of progressive culinary and kitchen management experience, depending on formal education or training
• Passion for culinary excellence and exceeding guest expectations
• Knowledge of systems, methods, and processes that contribute to operational excellence
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail
• High school diploma or equivalent

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 team members in food preparation, equipment operation, food safety, sanitation, and company standards
• Establish and maintain cleaning and maintenance schedules for equipment, storage, and work areas
• Ensure kitchen team members follow and complete assigned cleaning schedules
• Maintain inventory within established guidelines while ensuring products are available when needed
• Follow company safety and sanitation policies and procedures, including occurrence reporting
• Participate in departmental meetings, staff development, and professional training programs
• Lead the implementation of seasonal menu changes
• Inspire, coach, and develop a high-performing kitchen team

Skills

Kitchen management

Leadership

Culinary excellence

Communication

Attention to detail

Team training

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Cafe Head Chef (Savory) - Northern Virginia

Tatte began with a simple belief: great food has the power to bring people together. What started in a home kitchen has grown into a collection of bakeries and cafés inspired by Eastern Mediterranean and Levant traditions, where handcrafted food, exceptional coffee, warm hospitality, and beautiful spaces create moments of connection every day.

Our mission is simple: To Inspire, Care For, and Nurture Life. Every Day.

THE ROLE

As a Chef at Tatte, you will oversee all kitchen operations at your cafe 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 Line Cooks and Dishwashers. The ability to engage, inspire, and lead a strong team is essential. A passion for amazing food made from scratch and genuine hospitality are absolute musts. 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 team members in food preparation, equipment operation, food safety, sanitation, and company standards


• Establish and maintain cleaning and maintenance schedules for equipment, storage, and work areas


• Ensure kitchen team members follow and complete assigned cleaning schedules


• Maintain inventory within established guidelines while ensuring products are available when needed


• Follow company safety and sanitation policies and procedures, including occurrence reporting


• Participate in departmental meetings, staff development, and professional training programs


• Lead the implementation of seasonal menu changes


• Inspire, coach, and develop a high-performing kitchen team

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 3–5 years of progressive culinary and kitchen management experience, depending on formal education or training


• Passion for culinary excellence and exceeding guest expectations


• Knowledge of systems, methods, and processes that contribute to operational excellence


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills


• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail


• High school diploma or equivalent

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / WORKING CONDITIONS

• Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule based on business needs, including mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays


• Ability to work shifts of 10 or more hours


• Ability to stand, walk, squat, and sit for extended periods


• Ability to grasp, reach overhead, push, lift, move, and carry up to 50 pounds

OUR BENEFITS & PERKS

• Competitive Pay: $76,000–$96,000 annually, depending on experience


• Health, dental, and vision insurance


• 401(k) with company match


• Paid vacation time


• Flexible schedules with no late nights


• Free meals and 2 complimentary beverages per shift


• Free mental health support