Lead Sushi Chef — High-Volume, Aging Program & Omakase

M Street Entertainment Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 74,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Life insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Paid time off

Sick leave

Bereavement leave

Job summary

Esquire is a modern luxury steakhouse in Chicago’s Gold Coast. We seek a senior sushi program lead to manage nigiri, sashimi, and raw presentations for a high-volume service, ensuring top quality and consistent execution.

The role requires 5+ years of sushi experience in fine-dining, expert fish fabrication, and strict cold-line HACCP discipline. CFPM and allergen training are required, with Illinois-specific certifications.

Qualifications

• 5 years: Sushi experience in quality-driven Japanese or fine-dining kitchens
• Expert fish fabrication, aging, and cold-line food-safety discipline
• Calm precision at high volume

Responsibilities

• Run the dining-room sushi station; execute nigiri, sashimi, and raw presentations to standard.
• Manage daily fish receiving, the fish-aging program, and impeccable cold-line food safety.
• Develop and hold knife and plating standards across the sushi team.
• Partner with the EC and OakShō brigade on sourcing and quality.

Skills

Sushi experience

Fish fabrication

Cold-line discipline

Calm precision

Job description

Esquire is a modern luxury steakhouse in Chicago’s Gold Coast. We seek a senior sushi program lead to manage nigiri, sashimi, and raw presentations for a high-volume service, ensuring top quality and consistent execution.

The role requires 5+ years of sushi experience in fine-dining, expert fish fabrication, and strict cold-line HACCP discipline. CFPM and allergen training are required, with Illinois-specific certifications.