Head Chef

Head Chef Lead the Kitchen at Café Santorini - Old Town Pasadena, CA For more than 33 years, Café Santorini has been one of Pasadena's iconic dining destinations—known for vibrant Mediterranean cuisine, a loyal following, and a dining experience that consistently delivers. We are not looking for someone to simply "manage a kitchen." We are looking for a chef who wants to lead one. This is an opportunity for a driven culinary professional to take ownership of a high-volume, chef-driven restaurant with an established reputation and the infrastructure to support excellence. If you are passionate about Mediterranean cuisine, thrive on systems and consistency, and know how to build strong teams while driving profitability, we want to hear from you. What You'll Be Responsible ForCulinary Leadership Upholding the integrity, consistency, and execution of every plate leaving the kitchen Maintaining high culinary standards in a fast-paced environment Collaborating on menu development while protecting the Café Santorini brand Kitchen Operations Food costing and margin management Labor management and staff scheduling Inventory systems and waste reduction Recipe development and standardization KPI tracking and operational accountability Team Development Hiring, training, and developing a strong BOH team Creating a culture of professionalism, urgency, and respect Leading calmly and effectively under pressure What We're Looking For Strong experience leading high-volume kitchens Deep understanding of Mediterranean cuisine Proven ability to manage food and labor costs Experience implementing systems and improving kitchen performance Excellent leadership and communication skills Strong organizational and operational discipline Ability to balance hospitality, quality, and profitability Sous chefs with strong leadership backgrounds from respected restaurants are encouraged to apply. What Makes This Opportunity Different At Café Santorini, you will be trusted to lead—not micromanaged. We are looking for someone who: Takes pride in systems as much as flavor Understands that numbers drive sustainability Wants to build and improve—not simply maintain Values consistency, accountability, and team culture This is a long-term opportunity for the right chef. Compensation & BenefitsCompensation $100,000-$120,000 DOE (Depending on Experience) Performance-based bonus structure tied to measurable operational goals Signing Bonus $10,000 total sign-on bonus: $5,000 after 2 months of successful employment $5,000 after 6 months of successful employment As the transition period stabilizes, the goal is to provide two days off weekly once operational comfort and consistency are established.

How to Apply Please send:

Your resume A brief introduction about your culinary background Examples of kitchens or teams you've improved, including measurable results when possible We're interested in more than titles—we want to understand the impact you've made. Café Santorini Pasadena, CA