Sous Chef - Downtown, DC

Tatte Bakery & Café; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 68,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Quarterly bonus

Paid vacation

401(k) with company match

Free meals and drinks

Flexible schedule

Health, dental, vision insurance

Employee assistance program

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Tatte Bakery & Café is seeking a Sous Chef to oversee kitchen operations at the café level and lead a team of up to 25 staff, including Zone Leaders and cooks. You will ensure consistency, quality, and hospitality in every dish while upholding standards of food safety and cost controls.

Ideal candidates bring 3+ years in culinary management, strong organizational skills, and a passion for craft. This is a fast-paced role with opportunities for growth and excellence in guest experience.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of culinary or kitchen management in a high-volume operation.
• Comprehensive knowledge of food and culinary excellence.
• Understanding of food safety, sanitation, and cost controls.
• Familiarity with Tatte’s systems and operational processes.
• Excellent communication and strong organizational skills.
• High school diploma or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Oversee production and service according to established guidelines.
• Adhere to recipe, portioning, and presentation standards.
• Complete daily management tasks efficiently.
• Develop understanding of menu through daily tasting.
• Coach kitchen staff in food prep, safety, and sanitation.
• Maintain cleaning and maintenance schedules for equipment and areas.
• Manage inventory within guidelines and ensure product availability.
• Assist with seasonal menu changes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Culinary management

Food knowledge

Food safety

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

A.O.S. in Culinary Arts / culinary certificate

Tools

Toast POS

UKG/UltiPro

CrunchTime

TeamworX

Job description

Tatte began in 2007 in a home kitchen with a passion for baking and the belief that well-crafted food has the power to bring people together. That spirit continues to guide us today.

We are a design-forward bakery and café bringing together handcrafted food, exceptional coffee, warm hospitality, and beautiful spaces designed for gathering, connection, and everyday ritual.

At our core, we are craftspeople. Chefs, bakers, baristas, and café teams united by a shared passion for excellence. We believe even the smallest details matter, because every dish, every cup of coffee, and every interaction is an opportunity to brighten someone's day.

WHY TATTE

We're looking for people who believe hospitality matters and share our mission: To Inspire, Care for, and Nurture Life. Every day.

At Tatte, we believe craft is more than a skill. It's a way of caring. It's found in the details: a perfectly laminated croissant, a thoughtfully prepared coffee, a warm welcome that makes someone feel at home. We believe these small acts, repeated every day, have the power to make life a little richer and more meaningful.

You’ll join a team that takes pride in its work, supports one another, and is committed to learning and growth. We hold ourselves to high standards while creating an environment where people can develop their talents, build meaningful careers, and make an impact.

As we continue to grow, so do the opportunities for our team. Whether you’re exploring a new path or taking the next step in your career, you’ll help create moments of inspiration, comfort, and connection for our guests each day.

Because while we serve exceptional food, coffee, and pastries, we hope to create something more enduring: places where people feel welcomed, cared for, and inspired to return again and again.

THE ROLE

As a Sous Chef at Tatte, you will help oversee all kitchen operations at your café and support the success and growth of your kitchen team. Sous Chefs may supervise up to 25 team members, including Zone Leaders, Cooks, Prep Cooks, and Dishwashers. This role requires the ability to engage, inspire, and lead a strong team while maintaining Tatte’s commitment to exceptional food, hospitality, and operational excellence.

Our Sous Chefs work side by side with kitchen team members to deliver uncompromising quality and craftsmanship in every dish. Successful Sous Chefs are passionate about food made from scratch, lead through coaching and development, and thrive in fast paced, high volume environments.

In the absence of the Head Chef, the Sous Chef is responsible for overall kitchen execution, ensuring adherence to recipe standards, food safety practices, operational procedures, and guest expectations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversees production and service according to established guidelines
• Adheres to recipe, portioning, and presentation standards
• Completes all daily management tasks in a timely manner
• Establishes a strong understanding of the menu through daily tasting
• Coaches kitchen staff in food preparation, safe handling, operation of equipment, food safety, and sanitation based on company and regulatory standards
• Establishes and maintains cleaning and maintenance schedules for equipment, storage, and work areas
• Maintains inventory to stay within established guidelines while assuring necessary product is available when needed
• Assists with implementation of seasonal menu changes
• Other duties as assigned

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / WORKING CONDITIONS

• Ability and desire to work a flexible schedule based on sales trends and business needs, including days, nights, weekends, and holidays
• Ability to work ten hour plus shifts and stand, squat, or walk for extended periods of time
• Ability to grasp, reach overhead, push, lift, and carry up to 50 pounds

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Required

• Minimum of 3 years of culinary or kitchen management experience in a high volume foodservice operation
• Comprehensive knowledge of food and a proven passion for culinary excellence
• Understanding of quality product, visual presentation, efficient production, food safety, sanitation, and food cost controls
• Knowledge and proficiency of Tatte’s systems, methods, and processes that contribute to great execution
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate professionally and effectively
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail
• High school diploma or equivalent

Preferred

• A.O.S. Degree in Culinary Arts or culinary certificate with relevant experience
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Previous experience working with UKG/UltiPro, Toast POS, CrunchTime, and TeamworX
• ServSafe, Allergen, and ChokeSaver certifications

OUR BENEFITS & PERKS

• Competitive Pay: $68,000–$81,000 annually, depending on experience
• Quarterly bonus program
• Paid vacation time
• 401(k) with company match
• Free employee assistance program services
• Flexible schedule with no late nights
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Free meals and drinks
• Exciting potential for growth

Learn more about us at tattebakery.com

Join us on our journey to create something special!

Please note that Tatte is an E Verify employer.

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.