Executive Chef | Luxury Cafe | San Jose
13 days ago
San Jose
Job Description Position: Executive Chef Concept: Luxury Café Location: San Jose, CA Compensation: $85,000–$110,000 base salary + bonus & benefits Relocation Assistance: Available Position Overview We are seeking an Executive Chef to lead the savory culinary program and oversee back-of-house operations for an upscale, high-volume bakery and café in San Jose. This role is ideal for a chef with Michelin-caliber training or similar fine-dining experience who is ready to step into a broader leadership role within a refined yet approachable café environment. The Executive Chef will be responsible for menu development, kitchen operations, team leadership, cost control, and quality execution, with a strong focus on breakfast, brunch, and health-forward savory offerings. While prior bakery experience is not required, a high level of organization, attention to detail, and volume execution is essential. Culinary Vision & Menu Development • Develop and execute a refined savory menu featuring breakfast and brunch items, fresh and healthy salads, soups, and thoughtfully crafted open-faced sandwiches, • Create seasonal menu updates that align with an upscale café aesthetic and high-quality ingredient standards, • Maintain exceptional consistency in flavor, presentation, and portioning, • Drive recipe development, R&D, and production strategies to grow the café’s savory offerings, • Uphold the highest standards of freshness, quality, and execution across all savory items Leadership & Team Management • Lead all FOH & BOH operations with a hands-on, professional approach, • Hire, train, schedule, and mentor kitchen staff to ensure consistent execution and growth, • Provide clear expectations, ongoing feedback, and performance coaching, • Enforce standards around attendance, punctuality, cleanliness, and professionalism, • Support the pastry team as needed with finishing, decorating, or production assistance, • Foster a positive, collaborative kitchen culture while maintaining accountability Operations, Systems & Cost Control • Oversee day-to-day kitchen operations to ensure efficiency, safety, and organization, • Manage inventory, ordering, receiving, and accurate record-keeping, • Maintain strict compliance with California food safety and sanitation regulations, • Implement and manage food cost and labor cost controls, • Ensure BOH execution supports speed, accuracy, and a high-quality guest experience, • Maintain a clean, well-organized, and inspection-ready kitchen always Cross-Functional Collaboration • Partner closely with pastry leadership and ownership to ensure seamless workflows, • Coordinate savory and pastry production schedules for optimal efficiency, • Support catering, special events, and seasonal initiatives, • Contribute to overall operational strategy and continuous improvement Qualifications • 5+ years of professional culinary experience; fine dining or French culinary background strongly preferred, • Proven experience leading BOH teams in a high-standard, high-volume environment, • Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills, • Excellent attention to detail and commitment to quality, • Experience with menu development, cost control, inventory, and production planning, • Knowledge of California food safety and sanitation standards, • Culinary degree or equivalent professional experience preferred, • Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred, • Ability to reliably commute to San Jose or relocate Ideal Candidate Profile • Hands-on, organized, and detail-oriented, • Comfortable balancing creative development with operational discipline, • Motivated to grow with an upscale café brand and help elevate its savory program, • Able to handle volume without sacrificing quality Compensation & Benefits • Annual base salary - $85,000 - $110,000 DOE, • Bonus & potential for future profit sharing, • PTO & Sick Pay, • Comprehensive Healthcare, • Relocation assistance considered (case by case), • Equal Employment Opportunity #AA