Founding Sous Chef - Wellness Bistro Lead

Yora Nordic Spa - Brownstone; Portland (CT); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

Wellness privileges and discounts at Y

Bistro and retail discounts

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Yora Nordic Spa is seeking a Sous Chef to join its founding culinary team and help lead the kitchen from pre-opening through launch. This full-time, on-site role will oversee production, train staff, and uphold high standards of quality and service as guests begin to experience Yora's wellness-focused Bistro experiences.

You will coordinate recipes, portions and plating, ensure HACCP compliance, and mentor the culinary team in a fast-paced setting. Flexibility for pre-opening periods is required.

Qualifications

• Three to five years of progressive culinary experience in hospitality, premium casual dining, cafes or wellness‑focused food service.
• Journeyperson Cook certification or recognized culinary equivalent is preferred.
• Appropriate food‑safety certification as required.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily kitchen execution during assigned shifts with consistency, organization and efficiency.
• Coordinate food production and kitchen workflow to support service times and guest flow.
• Ensure approved recipes, portions, preparation methods, and plating standards are followed.
• Monitor food quality throughout preparation and service and correct concerns before they reach the guest.
• Provide real-time coaching and hands‑on support to culinary team members.
• Deploy the culinary team efficiently and adjust priorities as production requirements change.
• Protect food cost through portion control, production management and waste reduction.

Skills

Culinary Leadership

Kitchen Operations

Food Safety

Menu Planning

Food Cost Control

Communication

Inventory Systems

Education

Journeyperson Cook certification

Tools

Inventory software

Scheduling systems

Production-management tools

Job description

Yora Nordic Spa is seeking a Sous Chef to join its founding culinary team and help lead the kitchen from pre-opening through launch. This full-time, on-site role will oversee production, train staff, and uphold high standards of quality and service as guests begin to experience Yora's wellness-focused Bistro experiences.

You will coordinate recipes, portions and plating, ensure HACCP compliance, and mentor the culinary team in a fast-paced setting. Flexibility for pre-opening periods is required.