At Sidewalk Steak, we bring the high-energy, vibrant flavor of Taiwan's legendary night markets straight to Asia Village in Blaine. From our signature "Taiwan Five Spice Crispy Chicken Bites" to our screaming-hot iron sizzle plates, we blend high-velocity kitchen execution with bold, cross-cultural flavors. We are expanding. Our next major mission is to introduce a rotating pipeline of beloved, authentic East Asian night market specials to our market—and we need the main driver to lead the charge. If you are a culinary professional with a fierce entrepreneurial spirit and a deep love for street-food culture, this is your canvas. Position Summary We are seeking a highly motivated, growth-minded Sous Chef who will be the primary creative force and operational champion behind our new East Asian street food menu expansion. You won't just be managing a line; you will own the innovation pipeline. You will research, develop, test, and launch iconic night market specials (think skewered street eats, unique glazes, regional noodle crafts, and viral-worthy snacks). You will treat this menu expansion like your own startup business within our brand—taking dishes from a concept sketch to a profitable, high-volume kitchen reality. What You'll Do (Responsibilities):

Drive Night Market Innovation:

Act as the primary driver behind the research and development of rotating East Asian night market food specials. Turn authentic flavor profiles into street-food items tailored for our local QSR audience.

Kitchen Operations & Leadership:

Lead, train, and inspire a kitchen team to execute both our core menu and your newly developed night market specials with absolute consistency. Commercialize the

Menu:

Work alongside ownership to build recipes that are not only delicious but can be prepped fast, scaled across high-volume shifts, and hit strict food-cost targets.

Sourcing & Ingredient Mastery:

Identify and manage relationships with specialty Asian distributors to source authentic ingredients, spices, and starches (like the perfect sweet potato flour or five-spice blends).

Maintain Operational Excellence:

Keep an owner's eye on inventory, waste control, food safety (FIFO), and kitchen cleanliness. Who You Are (Requirements):

The Creative Driver:

You have a passion for East Asian food cultures (Taiwanese, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and other southeast Asian street food) and actively follow global food trends.

The Entrepreneurial Spirit:

You don't just love to cook; you love the business of food. You take pride in high yield, smart prep sequencing, and watching a dish you created become a top seller.

The Experience:

2-4 years of culinary leadership experience (Sous Chef, Kitchen Manager, or Lead Line Cook) in a fast-casual or high-volume kitchen. Experience with scratch-sauce formulation or wok/flat-top cooking is a massive plus.

The Attributes:

Self-motivated and an excellent teacher who can train junior cooks on complex flavor profiles.

The Credentials:

ServSafe Manager Certification required (or willingness to obtain).

Benefits & Perks:

Competitive base salary with clear room for upward mobility as the concept grows.

Menu Innovation Bonuses:

Directly share in the financial success of the night market specials you bring to life. Paid Time Off (PTO). Free meals on shift and employee discounts. Instant creative autonomy—no corporate red tape to slow your ideas down. If you are a culinary leader who wants to be the main driver behind the next big street-food trend in the Twin Cities, apply today with your resume and a brief note about your favorite night market dish.

Pay:

$23.00 - $30.00 per hour

Benefits:

Flexible schedule Paid time off Application Question(s): How will you descibe your personality? What are your strengths and weakness?

Language:

Spanish (Preferred)

Work Location:

In person