Chef de Cuisine | Restaruant Chef

Job Description

WHY LITTLE SAINT

Located in the heart of historic downtown Healdsburg, Little Saint is a vibrant meeting place where guests are invited to connect over food, music, art and conversation. Our mission is to create an environment that is good for the soul, the earth and the community. Inside our 10,000-square-foot space, Little Saint offers up a full-service farm-forward restaurant, cafe and wine shop with a focus on plant-based cuisine. The building is home to exciting live music and thought-provoking conversations, as well as a series of film screenings and performances to benefit local artists and our farming community.

WHAT’S ON YOUR PLATE

The Chef de Cuisine leads the daily culinary operations of Little Saint’s all-day restaurant and reports under the direction of the Director of Culinary. This highly visible, guest-facing role requires equal parts creativity, operational rigor, and team leadership. This integral role is about more than running a kitchen — it’s about owning outcomes, driving operational and fiscal excellence, and stewarding a vision for how food can bring people together and make the world a little better, one meal at a time.

Culinary Leadership

• Drive menu execution and seamlessly integrate new dishes into prep and service.
• Balance nostalgia and innovation to create food that is both exciting and accessible
• Collaborate with the Director of Culinary on long-term menu planning aligned with farm calendars and micro-seasons to showcase Little Saint Farm’s seasonal produce

Operational Excellence & Compliance

• Oversee daily prep, service execution, and culinary standards
• Uphold and enforce food safety, sanitation and allergen at all times
• Manage ordering, receiving, inventory, and waste-reduction initiatives
• Take ownership of P&L performance, balancing quality with fiscal responsibility

Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and empower sous chefs, supervisors, and line cooks
• Build systems of accountability, communication, and ongoing training
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and collaborative workplace in line with Little Saint’s values.
• Collaborate across departments and complete other duties as assigned to ensure a cohesive team and shared responsibility.

Community Engagement

• Act as an ambassador for Little Saint with guests, farmers, and collaborators
• Participate in events and storytelling that connect food, culture, and community
• Help position Little Saint as a leader in vegan cuisine and culinary hospitality

• 5+ years of progressive culinary leadership experience in a high-volume, values-driven restaurant or market setting
• Resourceful with a solution-focused approach and ability to inspire confidence and collaboration in a dynamic environment
• Deep respect for vegan cuisine, sustainable food systems, and farm-to-table practices
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, food costs, and inventory
• Ability to lead, coach, and motivate diverse teams while fostering equity, accountability, and excellence in accordance with Little Saint’s values.
• Clear communicator with a professional and warm guest-facing presence
• California Food Safety Certified and well-versed in state food safety and public health regulations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time
• Ability to regularly and continuously lift up to 50 pounds
• Manual dexterity and the ability to perform repetitive motions
• Frequent walking, standing, bending, and reaching

COMPENSATION

• Competitive Wage
• Medical, Dental, Vision Plans (Full-Time Positions Only)
• Paid Time Off
• 401(k)
• Employee Dining Discounts
• Employee Assistance Program

OUR CORE VALUES AND HOW WE EMBODY THEM:

• One Little Saint - Our Success is a Team Success. Encourage cooperation and trust among team members, working towards common goals. We are One Little Saint.
• Respect & Kindness - Drive Positive Change with Respect, Kindness and a Positive Attitude: Take initiative to resolve issues with a solution-based mindset while fostering respectful communication and kindness within the Little Saint Team and our Community.
• Value Everyone and Diverse Viewpoints - Lead with Confidence while Embracing Diverse Viewpoints: Anticipate challenges, develop plans and collaborate with your Team through trust and transparency. Value everyone and show empathy to all.
• Trust & Transparency - Lead by Example at All Levels: Exemplify the values of the Little Saint Team, earning trust and respect from your colleagues, our guests and the community.
• Professional - Stay Motivated with Enthusiasm: Little Saint encourages and supports education and personal and professional development. Take ownership of your development by approaching everyday and all tasks with dedication and excitement.
• Genuine & Authentic - Be Present and Effectively Communicate: Speak up, listen to others and provide supportive feedback with professionalism and authenticity. Be genuine to yourself and your team.
• Supportive - Embrace Change and Show Up for Your Team: Respond positively to change, remaining supportive of your Team's efforts and needs.

Each of the items listed is considered to be an essential function of the role. However, this list should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all the responsibilities of the position. Little Saint reserves the right to alter the duties of this role.

Little Saint is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

Little Saint is committed to hiring a diverse workforce, sustaining an inclusive culture, fostering an environment of continual improvement, and opportunities for growth and career development.