Junior Sous Chef

Oleana Restaurant; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a passionate Junior Sous Chef to join their vibrant kitchen team. This role offers a unique opportunity to learn about Middle Eastern and Turkish cuisine while working with high-quality ingredients sourced from their own farm. You will assist in managing kitchen operations, train staff, and uphold the highest standards of food production and service. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and are eager to grow within a supportive team, this position is perfect for you. Join a workplace that values hospitality, creativity, and teamwork, and be part of a culinary experience that delights guests from all walks of life.

Benefits

Free meal per shift

Paid vacation time

Educational and professional development opportunities

Employee discounts at sister businesses

Partially subsidized health insurance

Group rates on dental and vision insurance

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of experience in a restaurant kitchen.
• Knowledge of kitchen basics: cleanliness, safety, organization.

Responsibilities

• Assist in managing kitchen operations and supervising staff.
• Ensure adherence to food production standards and quality.

Skills

Culinary Skills

Teamwork

Attention to Detail

Time Management

Problem-Solving

Education

2+ years of restaurant kitchen experience

Tools

Kitchen Equipment

Job description

ABOUT US

At Oleana, vivid flavors, aromatic spices and a commitment to the freshest ingredients compose a menu that celebrates the cuisine of Turkey and the Middle East. Small plates with big flavor, locally sourced meats and fish, artisanal wines, produce from our own farm and desserts that honor but upend tradition have garnered national attention and awards. Led by Chef Ana Sortun, Oleana has been beloved in the city for 22 years.

WHY JOIN OUR TEAM?

We care about each other and our customers. We build long-term relationships with our employees and support individuals who wish to further their career development within the food industry. We offer extensive educational and professional development opportunities, including wine and beverage training, Mediterranean diet education, community engagement, and guest speakers.

We will always believe in exceptional hospitality with warmth & professionalism, but not pretension. Our managers try to practice what they preach, not leading with aggression or negativity, but rather dedication, fairness, and desire to bring the best out in their team. We look for passionate, kind, committed and honest people who find joy in their profession and can transcend that message outward.

At the end of the day, we want our restaurant to be a representation of our values – the kind of place we would hang out on our day off. All of our businesses are funky, fun spots that appeal to people from all walks of life.

Oleana is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a diverse workforce and support an environment that is inclusive and respectful.

JOB DESCRIPTION

We are seeking an enthusiastic individual who is passionate about food and leadership, eager to learn and work hard, and brings good energy to work. At Oleana, you will—

• Learn how to compose beautiful food across several stations
• Cook with high-quality ingredients, including vegetables from our own farm and many flavorful spices
• Work on an incredibleteam to meet the challenge of high standards and high volume
• Gain depth of knowledge about Middle Eastern / Turkish cuisine and different spices

The Junior Sous Chef works under the general supervision of the Executive Chef, Chef de Cuisine, and Sous Chef to assist in managing and overseeing all kitchen operations.

Come stage with us and you'll learn about all of our stations and sample our menu!

Major responsibilities –

• Assist in managing kitchen operations and supervising staff. Solve problems and assist as needed.
• Assist in managing all savory food production and service focusing on quality, consistency, taste, accuracy, seasonality, ingredients, rotation, storage, appearance, timeliness, and efficiency.
• Ensure adherence to Oleana’s standards in every aspect of food production and beyond while working to achieve operational excellence.
• Open and close the kitchen as directed.
• Assist with training kitchen staff.
• Assist with maintaining training materials as directed.
• Monitor, assess, and manage kitchen staff performance; including disciplinary actions as needed.
• Work the line as directed.
• Assume responsibilities of the other kitchen managers in their absence as directed.
• With direction from Executive Chef and CDC, create menu specials.
• Receive daily deliveries for all departments.
• Assist with kitchen communication and maintain strong communication between departments.
• Assist in ordering product for the kitchen.
• Assist with managing savory food waste.
• Establish, maintain, and develop vendor relationships.
• Ensure proper stocking, rotation, organization, and cleaning of kitchen and all storage areas.
• Prioritize safety, cleanliness, and sanitation in all facets of production and operation.
• Assist with maintenance and upkeep of kitchen equipment.
• Assist with managing inventory and completing monthly inventory report.
• Work with management team members to ensure success of special events and projects. Works events as needed.
• Collaborate with team members to meet the company's financial objectives.
• Meet with Oleana Managers as needed for consultation, coordination, and brainstorming.
• Provide leadership, model appropriate behavior in the workplace, enforce company policies and procedures, and uphold quality standards.
• Maintain company culture to champion vision, values, and uphold staff morale.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

As a member of Oleana’s management team, the successful Junior Sous Chef will work to support established goals and values and uphold existing culture and the highest quality standards of customer service and hospitality.

This is an exempt, full-time position. The Junior Sous Chef is expected to accomplish the responsibilities outlined in this job description in the daily number of hours required to do so.

Qualified candidates will –

• Have at least 2 years of experience cooking in a restaurant kitchen
• Have a working knowledge of kitchen basics, e.g. cleanliness, safety and organization
• Treat guests and co-workers with courtesy and respect
• Follow clearly documented food safety procedures
• Work as a team and take direction from multiple managers
• Be able to read and follow written recipes, deal successfully with multitasking and be comfortable in a fast-paced work environment
• Exhibit a desire to learn and be challenged creatively
• Have a strong attention to detail and a positive attitude
• Have excellent attendance and punctuality
• Have a desire for long-term employment
• Be able to work 40+ hours per week every week
• Be available nights, weekends, and some holidays

COMPENSATION

• Competitive salary based on experience, between $65k-68k/year
• Free meal per shift
• Paid vacation time
• Educational and professional development opportunities
• Employee discounts at our sister businesses—Oleana, Sofra, Sarma and Siena Farms
• Partially subsidized health insurance, and group rates on dental and vision insurances

Please consider joining our team! To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to [e-mail].