Sous Chef

About Konpa Nikkei Konpa Nikkei is a chef-driven fast casual concept in the heart of Corona del Mar, blending Japanese precision with the bold flavors of Peru. Our 12-seat restaurant serves handcrafted Nikkei bowls, wraps, musubi, and rotating specials built around fresh ingredients and vibrant sauces. In addition to daily service, we are expanding into a weekly Saturday night Omakase experience designed to showcase creativity, hospitality, and elevated technique. ( Konpa Restaurant ) We are looking for a talented, organized, and passionate Sous Chef to help lead our kitchen as we continue to grow within the local community and build our reputation across Orange County. Position Summary The Sous Chef will work directly with Chef/Ownership to oversee day-to-day kitchen operations, maintain standards, support menu development, and help execute both fast casual lunch/dinner service and our weekly Omakase experience. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives in a small, high-performance kitchen and values consistency, creativity, and team culture. Responsibilities Lead daily kitchen production, prep, line execution, and closing procedures Maintain food quality, consistency, cleanliness, and speed of service Assist with inventory, ordering, food cost controls, and vendor management Train, mentor, and develop line cooks and prep staff Help create specials, seasonal features, and Saturday Omakase menus Ensure compliance with food safety and sanitation standards Support scheduling and labor management as needed Work service shifts while maintaining calm, professional leadership Qualifications Minimum 6 years of culinary experience in professional kitchens Previous Sous Chef, Lead Line Cook, or Kitchen Supervisor experience preferred Strong knife skills and understanding of seafood handling Experience with or willingness to learn about Japanese and Peruvian cuisine Ability to work cleanly and efficiently in a compact kitchen environment Strong organizational skills and attention to detail Positive attitude, urgency, and team-first mindset Availability for evenings, weekends, and Saturday Omakase service Must be RBS certified What We Offer Opportunity to grow with an emerging chef-driven concept Creative input on menu development and Omakase programming Small team environment with direct impact Competitive pay based on experience Performance growth opportunities as the brand expands How to Apply Please send your resume and a short introduction outlining your experience and why Konpa Nikkei is the right fit for you. Join us as we build one of Orange County's most exciting new Nikkei concepts.