Sous Chef

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

Work in Wellness at the New Yora Nordic Spa

Something New Is Taking Shape

Opening in November 2026, Yora Nordic Spa is a place to pause, reconnect and experience wellbeing through nature, hydrotherapy and authentic human connection. It is a space where our team will create thoughtful and welcoming experiences that help guests reconnect with themselves, with others and with the natural world around them.

We are now building our founding team: the people who will bring Yora Nordic Spa to life and shape our culture from the very beginning. Working at Yora means working in wellness and contributing to a workplace and guest experience that are simple, inclusive, natural and social.

The Opportunity

The Sous Chef will be part of Yora's founding Culinary team, helping prepare the kitchen, train the team and welcome our first guests when we open to the community in November 2026. This full-time role is anticipated to begin in mid to late October 2026.

As the operational leader of the kitchen during assigned shifts, you will turn the Kitchen Manager's standards into consistent daily execution. You will coordinate production, guide the culinary team, protect food quality and help create the calm, disciplined kitchen environment behind every nourishing Bistro experience.

What You Will Do

• Lead daily kitchen execution during assigned shifts with consistency, organization and efficiency.
• Assign stations and production responsibilities based on anticipated business volumes.
• Coordinate food production and kitchen workflow to support appropriate 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.
• Respond appropriately to dietary requirements, allergies, guest feedback and service-recovery needs.
• Maintain proper food storage, labeling, rotation, temperature control and sanitation standards.
• Ensure HACCP and established food-safety procedures are consistently followed.
• Provide real-time coaching, feedback and hands‑on support to culinary team members.
• Support onboarding and training on recipes, production standards, equipment use and food safety.
• Deploy the culinary team efficiently and adjust priorities as production requirements change.
• Protect food cost through portion control, production management and reduced waste and spoilage.
• Assume responsibility for daily kitchen operations when the Kitchen Manager is not present.

What You Bring

• Three to five years of progressive culinary experience in hospitality, premium casual dining, cafes or wellness‑focused food service.
• Previous Sous Chef, First Cook or equivalent kitchen‑leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of food production, standardized recipes, kitchen systems, food safety and sanitation.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and coach culinary teams during high‑volume service.
• A strong understanding of portion control, food cost, inventory management and labor productivity.
• Excellent communication, organization and problem‑solving skills.
• Journeyperson Cook certification or a recognized culinary equivalent is preferred.
• Appropriate food‑safety certification as required.
• Comfort using inventory, scheduling, restaurant technology and production‑management systems.

Schedule

This is a full‑time, on‑site position. The Sous Chef must be available to work a flexible schedule that may include mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays based on business and operational needs. The role may include opening, closing and peak‑service shifts, with additional flexibility required during the pre‑opening and opening periods.

Benefits And Perks

As a member of Yora's founding team, you will be eligible to participate in a range of employee benefits and perks, which are expected to include:

• Health and wellness benefits.
• Paid time off.
• Employee wellness privileges and discounted experiences at Yora Nordic Spa locations.
• Bistro and retail discounts.
• Learning, growth and development opportunities within a growing wellness brand.

Yora is currently finalizing its employee benefit plans. Specific coverage, eligibility requirements, employee contributions and plan terms will be shared during the recruitment process and will be governed by the applicable plan documents.

Physical And Work Environment Requirements

This is a physically active position performed in a fast‑paced commercial kitchen. The role involves extended periods of standing and walking; frequent bending, reaching, twisting, kneeling and crouching; repetitive hand and arm movements; pushing and pulling kitchen equipment or supply carts; and lifting and carrying food products, cookware, supplies and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.

Employees work around hot surfaces, open flames, ovens, steam, refrigeration equipment, sharp utensils, commercial kitchen equipment, cleaning products and chemicals, food allergens, noise, changing temperatures and wet or slippery surfaces. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions safely, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Reasonable Accommodation

Yora Nordic Spa provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees in accordance with applicable law. To request an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact People & Culture at [e-mail].

Equal Employment Opportunity

Yora Nordic Spa is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business needs. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religious creed, age, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Work Here. Soak Here. Help Us Bring Yora Nordic Spa to Life.

If you are ready to lead a culinary team, protect exceptional kitchen standards and help create nourishing Bistro experiences for Yora's first guests, we would like to hear from you.