Chef

OVERVIEW

Little Trouble is a casual beachside restaurant serving relaxed coastal comfort food, natural wines, and a curated beer selection. We are seeking a Chef / Kitchen Manager to take full ownership of our kitchen operations. The ideal candidate will contribute creative input to the menu, manage a well-organized and cost-conscious kitchen, and build and lead a strong culinary team. This individual will work directly with the General Manager and Owner as a key partner in the overall direction of the kitchen.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contribute creative input to the menu, including development of new dishes and refinement of existing offerings, in collaboration with ownership.
• Oversee day-to-day kitchen operations, including preparation, execution, plating standards, cleanliness, and consistency across all shifts.
• Manage food costs, including purchasing, vendor relationships, portioning, and waste reduction, in order to meet margin targets, and provide regular reporting on food cost performance.
• Hire, train, schedule, and manage kitchen staff, including sourcing and interviewing candidates as the team grows.
• Maintain health and safety standards and ensure the kitchen remains compliant with all applicable health codes.
• Partner closely with the General Manager and Owner on menu direction, specials, seasonal changes, and overall kitchen strategy.
• Set the standard for professionalism and quality within the kitchen team.

REQUIREMENTS

• Proven experience as a Chef, Sous Chef, or Kitchen Manager within a full-service restaurant, with menu development experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of food cost management, inventory control, and vendor negotiation.
• Demonstrated experience hiring and managing kitchen staff.
• Genuine interest in contributing to menu and concept decisions, in addition to day-to-day execution.
• Thorough knowledge of health, safety, and sanitation standards.
• Ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced environment and collaborate well with ownership and front-of-house leadership.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume, along with a brief statement of their kitchen experience and menu philosophy, to [email protected].