Job Overview You've mastered your craft. Your next kitchen should give you room to lead. You know when a dish needs something before anyone says a word. You understand that a great service starts hours before the first ticket. And you know a kitchen is only as strong as the people you develop. We're looking for a Head Chef who brings that level of care, and wants a meaningful role in what comes next. Zen Curry and Grill is a family-owned Indian and Nepalese restaurant in Temecula, ranked #22 on Yelp's Top 100 U.S. Restaurants list for 2026. We're proud of that recognition. Now we're looking for an experienced culinary leader to help us build on it.
Our goal is straightforward:
serve food people remember, create an experience they recommend, and give them a reason to keep coming back. Your kitchen leadership will be central to making that happen. Why this opportunity is different Your ideas belong in the conversation. Work directly with ownership on menu improvements, specials, presentation, and how the kitchen operates. We want your experience to influence the restaurant, not stay on your résumé. You get to develop people, not just manage tickets. Teach your techniques. Establish clear standards. Help your cooks become better at their craft. We're looking for someone who takes as much pride in a team member's progress as in a perfectly executed dish. You can make a visible impact. A better prep system. A stronger cook. A special guests ask for again. A smoother Saturday service. This role is an opportunity to make improvements you can see, taste, and take pride in. We want a chef who respects what guests already love about Zen and sees opportunities to make the experience even better. What you'll lead Food quality and consistency. Oversee flavor, preparation, presentation, and execution so guests receive the same care whether we're serving the first table or the busiest dinner rush. Daily kitchen operations. Lead prep, station readiness, service, and communication with the front-of-house team. This is a hands-on leadership position. Team development. Train cooks, give clear feedback, establish accountability, and lead with composure and respect. Kitchen efficiency and cost control. Manage ordering, inventory, portioning, prep levels, and waste. Build repeatable recipes and processes that protect both quality and profitability. Food safety and cleanliness. Maintain disciplined sanitation, storage, labeling, and allergen-handling practices throughout the kitchen. The chef we're looking for Extensive hands-on experience preparing cuisine in a professional kitchen is required. You should understand spice development, curries, sauces, tandoor cooking, breads, and the techniques that make the food exceptional, not simply know how to follow a recipe. Experience with Nepalese cuisine is a strong advantage. You may already be a Head Chef, or you may be an accomplished Sous Chef ready to take the lead. What matters is your ability to cook at a high level, organize a kitchen, and help other people perform well. You notice problems early and address them. You can give direction without disrespect. You welcome useful feedback and hold yourself to the same standards you expect from your team. You don't have to be the loudest person in the kitchen. You do need to be someone the team can count on. What success looks like The food is consistently excellent. Prep is organized before service starts. The team understands the standards and knows how to meet them. Waste is controlled without cutting corners. Guests have a reason to order their favorite dish again—and a reason to try something new. That's the kitchen we want to build with you. Let's talk about your next chapter Apply through Indeed with your résumé and a few sentences about your experience. Tell us about one improvement you made in a previous kitchen that you're proud of. It could be a dish, a system, a service improvement, or someone you helped develop. No lengthy cover letter needed. We want to understand your experience, your standards, and what you're ready to contribute. Bring your craft and your leadership. Help us make the next chapter of Zen worth talking about.
Location:
41653 Margarita Road, Suite 104, Temecula, CA 92591 Work location: In person.
