Chef & Kitchen Manager — Japanese Izakaya Whitefish, Montana Full-time | Compensation up to $100,000/year (DOE) + Equity | Relocation & Housing Support Provided Location Whitefish, Montana — Flathead Valley, about 25 miles from Glacier National Park Job Type Full-time, 40+ hours/week Compensation Up to $100,000/year, depending on experience, plus equity in the business Housing On-site apartment provided at reduced rent Relocation Assistance provided (amount depends on distance) Reports To Owner / Creative Director Work Authorization Must already hold US work authorization — no visa sponsorship available About the Restaurant We're opening a new Japanese izakaya concept in Whitefish, Montana — the first of its kind in the area, with no direct competitor serving izakaya or ramen anywhere nearby. That makes this a rare ground-floor opportunity: the chance to introduce a cuisine to a market from scratch rather than compete inside an existing scene. The owner has a strong culinary point of view and is looking for a chef who wants a genuine creative partnership, not just a kitchen to run. The kitchen space itself is currently being built out as part of an ongoing remodel, so the person we hire will have a direct hand in shaping the physical kitchen — layout, equipment, workflow — as well as the food. The Role We're looking for a Chef & Kitchen Manager to lead day-to-day kitchen operations and partner with the owner/creative director on menu development, with a focus on izakaya and ramen. This is a hands-on, full-time role (40+ hours/week) centered on consistent, high-quality execution night after night. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment, excel at managing food production and safety standards, and inspire a team dedicated to culinary excellence. What You'll Do Collaborate closely with the owner/creative director to curate and refine the menu Run the kitchen with a focus on consistent execution once the menu is set Share responsibilities with the owner, acting as secondary lead on hiring kitchen staff, ordering, and inventory Maintain food safety, sanitation, and health-code compliance throughout the kitchen Consult on the kitchen build-out during the ongoing remodel, with an eye toward an efficient, economical layout Communicate directly and constructively — including in hard conversations — in a way that keeps the team and the working relationship strong What We're Looking For Candidate must already hold US work authorization — this role does not include visa sponsorship Formal culinary training and/or solid hands-on experience in izakaya and ramen cuisine Comfort owning both the craft side (menu, technique) and the operational side (consistency, staff, ordering) of a kitchen A collaborative mindset — this is a true partnership with the owner, not a solo creative mandate Strong, direct communication skills Genuine enthusiasm for life in a small mountain town — a great fit for someone who skis or snowboards, mountain bikes, fishes, or spends time on rivers and lakes Schedule & Physical Requirements Availability for evening, weekend, and holiday shifts typical of restaurant service Ability to stand and move for extended periods in a fast-paced kitchen environment Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs and work comfortably around heat, steam, and sharp equipment

Compensation & Benefits Salary:

Up to $100,000/year, depending on experience

Equity:

An ownership stake in the business

Housing:

Apartment provided in the same building as the restaurant, at reasonable rent

Relocation:

Assistance provided, with the amount depending on where you're relocating from Life in Whitefish Whitefish is a small mountain and ski town in northwest Montana's Flathead Valley — think winters at Whitefish Mountain Resort, summers on Whitefish Lake and the Flathead River, and a walkable downtown full of local restaurants, breweries, and shops. Glacier National Park is about 25 miles away, roughly a 30-minute drive. It's a genuine lifestyle change from a big-city kitchen, and it's best suited to someone who wants that trade actively, not just tolerates it. How to

Apply Contact:

wasabikitchenjobs@gmail.com | 401-684-3082 Please include your resume, a brief note on your izakaya/ramen background, and — if you have one — a portfolio or examples of past menu work.