Executive Chef

The Executive Chef will lead daily kitchen operations, oversee food preparation and presentation, and manage the kitchen team. This role combines hands-on cooking with menu development, cost management, and staff training.

Our ideal candidate brings creativity to the menu, consistency to service, and clear, respectful leadership to the kitchen.

Key Responsibilities

• Kitchen operations: Lead prep and service, ensuring dishes meet standards for taste, presentation, portion size, and timing.
• Menu development: Develop menus and specials that reflect Bistro 135's culinary identity, guest preferences, and business goals.
• Team leadership: Help hire, train, schedule, and mentor kitchen staff, with clear expectations and regular feedback.
• Cost control: Manage food and kitchen labor costs through recipe costing, portion control, staffing, and waste reduction.
• Purchasing and inventory: Oversee ordering, receiving, storage, stock rotation, and vendor relationships.
• Food safety: Maintain sanitation standards, safe food handling, and compliance with applicable health requirements.
• Service coordination: Work closely with restaurant management and the front-of-house team on timing, dietary requests, and guest feedback.
• Consistency: Establish recipes, prep procedures, and quality checks that the team can follow across services.

Qualifications

• Experience as an Executive Chef or Head Chef, or substantial Sous Chef experience with team management responsibilities.
• Strong cooking skills and experience developing menus and specials.
• Working knowledge of food costing, inventory management, purchasing, and kitchen scheduling.
• Ability to lead a busy service while maintaining quality and communicating clearly.
• Experience training staff and building a professional, respectful kitchen culture.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and allergen handling.
• Required food safety certification, or ability to obtain it before starting.

What We Value

A chef who leads by example, takes responsibility, and treats colleagues with respect. Someone who cares about the details, listens to feedback, and understands that a successful kitchen depends on both good food and a strong team.

We are a restaurant in downtown Tracy where good food and warm hospitality bring people together. We're looking for an Executive Chef who takes pride in every plate, enjoys developing people, and knows how to keep a kitchen running well.