Chef de Cuisine

Restaurant Associates; Kirkland (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life insurance/AD&D

Disability insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Holiday time off

Associate shopping program

Health and wellness programs

Discount marketplace

Identity theft protection

Pet insurance

Commuter benefits

Employee assistance program

Flexible spending accounts

Paid parental leave

Personal leave

Job summary

Restaurant Associates in Kirkland, WA is seeking a Chef de Cuisine to elevate our café dining program. You will lead the kitchen, ensure high-quality preparation, and inspire the team daily.

Work closely with the Executive Chef, manage inventory, plating, and presentation, and uphold safety standards. The role demands leadership of a premium, high-volume operation and a commitment to sustainability.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of culinary management in high-volume, premium operations.
• Strong leadership and communication to mentor sous chefs and厨房 staff.
• Knowledge of food safety; ServSafe Manager certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Set culinary vision and seasonal menus aligned with sustainability goals.
• Lead kitchen operations, production, and plating standards.
• Manage inventory, ordering, and cost controls.
• Uphold food and workplace safety and allergen management.
• Model hospitality and engage guests through service excellence.
• Mentor Sous Chef and develop culinary talent.
• Source ingredients with sustainability targets and budget in mind.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Safety oversight

Communication

Operational alignment

Union management

Certifications

Education

Culinary degree preferred

Tools

Google Suite

Kitchen management software

Job description

Restaurant Associates

Position Title: Chef de Cuisine

Location: Kirkland, WA

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 5:00am - 4:00pm with flexibility required based on the needs of the business

Salary: $90,000 - $95,000

Other Forms of Compensation: Comprehensive benefits package

Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry’s leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the nation’s most prestigious museums, performing arts centers and corporations! Voted Glassdoor's Employee Choice Awards - Best Places to Work, This is R/A!

Job Summary

We’re actively seeking a Chef de Cuisine to join our Restaurant Associates team! This pivotal role is responsible for defining and elevating the culinary landscape of the café, meticulously overseeing all aspects of food quality, driving innovation, and curating an unparalleled dining experience. On a daily basis, you will lead and inspire the kitchen team, ensuring the efficient and timely preparation of consistently high-quality dishes.

Collaborating closely with the Executive Chef, you will strategically oversee all facets of food preparation, plating, and presentation. To uphold the highest standards of quality, you will manage inventory and ordering. Your leadership will drive culinary excellence, elevate the café experience, and ensure the continued success of the food program.

Restaurant Associates is deeply committed to a culture of workplace and food safety, which you will champion every day. As the Chef de Cuisine, you will set the standard for responsible practices, ensuring the well-being of our guests, our valued team members, and yourself.

The food program’s vision is to inspire and enable the world to make food choices and use food experiences to develop more sustainable lifestyles and communities.

Key Responsibilities

• Food & Workplace Safety: Set the standard for and rigorously oversee workplace and food safety protocols, including comprehensive allergen management, to ensure guest well-being and total operational compliance.
• Culinary Vision: Spearhead the overall dining strategy by delivering culinary offerings that reflect seasonal trends, sustainability goals, and overall excellence.
• Operational Excellence: Design and oversee all menu, production, and preparation systems; ensure total team adherence to operational checklists and responsibility guides to maintain an efficient kitchen environment.
• Wellness: Oversee thoughtfully balanced, nourishing meals that align with the program’s wellness goals.
• Hospitality Standards: Model and enforce a culture of genuinely engaging hospitality, ensuring every service interaction meets the highest professional standards.
• Leadership Talent: Actively mentor and develop the Sous Chef and culinary team, creating a robust pipeline of talent and a culture of professional growth.
• Sustainable Sourcing: Follow procurement strategies, ensuring all ingredients and products are sourced in strict alignment with sector sustainability standards and financial targets.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Degree from an accredited culinary institution is preferred, not required.
• Culinary Leadership: A minimum of 5 years of culinary management experience, with proven success leading high-volume, premium food service operations.
• Safety Oversight: Proven track record of implementing and managing rigorous Food and Workplace Safety cultures.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present to stakeholders and inspire diverse teams.
• Technical skills: Proficiency in computer skills, including knowledge of Google Suite tools and kitchen management software.
• Operational Alignment: Passion for the intersection of exceptional food, sustainability, and hospitality.
• Union Management: Experience managing in a Union Environment is a plus.
• Certifications: ServSafe Manager Certification preferred.

Restaurant Associates is a member of Compass Group USA

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Associates At Restaurant Associates Are Offered Many Fantastic Benefits.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Personal Leave

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Restaurant Associates maintains a drug-free workplace.

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_RA.pdf