Hourly Sous Chef I - Washington D.C, West End

Life Alive; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

70% meal discount

Free/discounted Yoga

Health, dental, and vision

401(k) retirement plan with vesting

Education & professional development

Flexible schedule

Job summary

Life Alive in Washington, D.C. is seeking a Sous Chef Level I to support culinary operations and uphold our plant-based standards. You will assist the Sous Chef Level II, GM, and Culinary Assistant GM to ensure efficient kitchen operations and high-quality food service.

The role emphasizes scratch cooking, teamwork, and maintaining rigorous food standards in a fast-paced cafe

Qualifications

• Knowledge of kitchen operations and scratch-cooking techniques.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
• Excellent organizational, leadership, and attention-to-detail skills.

Responsibilities

• Culinary Execution & Quality Control: complete the daily prep list and assigned culinary projects.
• Prepare food items according to established recipes and quality standards; ensure consistency and presentation.
• Maintain a stocked, clean, and organized kitchen workspace; assist with kitchen ordering procedures.
• Coordinate with Front of House to monitor inventory and adjust production in real time; assist in training Back of House staff.
• Ensure strict health and safety compliance, including proper food handling and temperature logging.

Skills

Kitchen operations

Leadership

High-pressure environments

Attention to detail

Job description

Hourly Sous Chef I - Washington D.C, West End

Job Category: Retail

Requisition Number: HOURL001783

• Posted : August 13, 2026
• Full-Time
• On-site
• Rate : $22 USD per hour

Locations

Showing 1 location

West End
2301 M St NW
Washington, DC 20037, USA

West End
2301 M St NW
Washington, DC 20037, USA

Life Alive aims to energize the vitality of all living beings and our planet. We make delicious, beautiful, plant-based food and beverages in a unique, quick-service cafe, and are looking for dynamic, ambitious team members ready to jump in and grow. We value interconnectedness, participation, integrity, pleasure, and empathy — and most importantly, we value you for you.

The Role

The Sous Chef Level I supports the Sous Chef Level II, General Manager and/or Culinary Assistant General Manager in supporting the culinary operations of the cafe. You will play a crucial role in ensuring the efficient, smooth operation of the kitchen and maintaining our rigorous food standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Culinary Execution & Quality Control:
• Complete the daily prep list and assigned culinary projects.
• Prepare food items according to established recipes and quality standards.
• Ensure the consistency and quality of all food items leaving the kitchen.
• Conduct regular taste tests to uphold flavor profiles and presentation standards.
• Operations & Kitchen Management:
• Maintain a fully stocked, clean, and organized kitchen workspace.
• Assist with kitchen ordering procedures as needed.
• Maintain active communication with the Front of House team to monitor prepped inventory and adjust production levels in real-time.
• Assist in training and developing Back of House team members.
• Cleanliness & Safety Compliance:
• Ensure strict compliance with all health and safety regulations, including proper food handling, temperature logging, and storage.

Our Sous Chef Level I is someone who:

• Knowledgeable in kitchen operations and scratch-cooking food preparation techniques.
• Ability to work efficiently in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment.
• Excellent organizational, leadership, and attention-to-detail skills.
• Passionate about our mission to energize the vitality of all living beings and our planet.
• 70% meal discount and free/discounted Yoga.
• Health, dental, and vision coverage (for full-time employees).
• Free Mental Health Support (for full-time employees).
• 401(k) retirement plan with a vesting match.
• Education & professional development opportunities (e.g., culinary training, superfood education, wellness lifestyle, resume building).
• Flexible schedule supporting your lifestyle and personal goals.

Life Alive is an equal-opportunity employer, and we encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply. We look forward to welcoming a dynamic leader who will contribute to our mission of energizing the vitality of all living beings and our planet through plant-based cuisine and sustainable practices.We strive to foster a community where all feel welcome, safe, and valued. We embrace all differences of age, sexual orientation, gender and its expression, race, culture and ethnicity, national origin, mental and physical health and ability, religious background, marital status, family structure, citizenship, education, and military or veterans’ status. Life Alive invites you to bring your whole self to work.

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.