Assistant Chef Jobs in Federal Way, WA (NOW HIRING)

About Moctezuma’s Restaurant & Tequila Bar

Moctezuma’s Restaurant & Tequila Bar is a vibrant, community-focused establishment known for authentic cuisine, excellent service, and a welcoming atmosphere. With our extensive menus, we’re proud to satisfy anyone’s appetite for EPIC Mexican food while continuously introducing new dishes as our guests become more familiar with the richness of genuine Mexican cuisine.

We’re looking for dedicated, upbeat individuals who are passionate about hospitality and teamwork.

Position Overview

We are searching for a talented and passionate Sous Chef to support the culinary team at our vibrant Moctezuma’s Cocina y Tequila in our Silverdale, WA location. As the Sous Chef, you will work closely with the Head Chef and kitchen staff to ensure the smooth operation of the kitchen and the delivery of exceptional food. Your culinary expertise, leadership, and attention to detail & drive to grow will be instrumental in maintaining our restaurant's commitment to providing a delightful dining experience for our valued guests.

Duties and Responsibilities

· Kitchen Management: Supervise and coordinate kitchen operations during service hours, ensuring that all food preparation, cooking, and plating are executed with precision and in a timely manner.

· Team Leadership: Lead, train, and motivate the kitchen staff, including line cooks, prep cooks, and other culinary team members. Foster a positive and collaborative work environment that encourages growth and teamwork.

· Food Quality and Presentation: Maintain high standards of food quality, taste, and presentation, upholding Elev8’s commitment to excellence and authenticity in Mexican cuisine.

· Inventory and Ordering: Assist in monitoring kitchen inventory levels, including ingredients and supplies. Collaborate with the Chef or Executive Chef and FOH management to place timely and accurate orders to maintain an uninterrupted flow of kitchen operations.

· Food Safety and Sanitation: Ensure compliance with all food safety and sanitation standards, always maintaining a clean and organized kitchen environment.

· Training and Development: Assist in training new kitchen staff and conduct ongoing coaching to enhance their culinary skills, techniques, and overall performance.

· Collaboration: Collaborate closely with the front-of-house staff to ensure smooth communication, coordination, and teamwork between the kitchen and the dining area.

· Adherence to Regulations: Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of health and safety regulations, ensuring the kitchen's compliance with all relevant laws and requirements.

· Commitment to professional growth: Take an active role in continuing professional growth.

Qualifications and Skills

· Minimum 2 years of experience and proven experience as a Sous Chef, preferably with expertise in Mexican cuisine.

· In-depth knowledge of Mexican culinary traditions, ingredients, and cooking techniques.

· Strong leadership and team management skills.

· Excellent organizational and time management abilities.

· Attention to detail and a passion for maintaining high-quality culinary standards.

· Ability to work under pressure and in a fast-paced kitchen environment.

· Excellent communication skills to effectively interact with kitchen staff and other restaurant personnel.

Physical Qualifications

· Ability to work on your feet for entire shift excluding meal and rest periods.

· Ability to lift/carry up to 40lbs.

· Precise knife skills and handling delicate food items require excellent hand-eye coordination and dexterity.

· Kitchen environments can be hot, humid, and stressful during peak hours. A chef should be able to endure these conditions while maintaining focus and composure.

· A keen sense of taste, smell, and touch is essential for assessing the quality of food and ensuring consistency in flavors.

· Good vision is necessary for reading recipes, monitoring cooking processes, and ensuring food presentation meets high standards.

· Ability to hear and speak to communicate effectively with the kitchen staff and respond to any emergencies or instructions promptly.

Schedule

• Weekends mandatory
• 5-day workweek with 2 consecutive days off. Schedule is flexible depending on which days coverage is needed, but prioritizing candidates who are available on weekends for closing and opening shifts.
• 10-hour workdays

Wage and Benefits

• $76,000 - $78,000 annual salary
• Medical insurance including Dental, vision, life
• $300 monthly house account balance to use across all restaurants under Elev8 Hospitality Group
• Employee discount across all restaurants under Elev8 Hospitality Group
• Quarterly profit share bonus program, up to 10% of annual salary
• 2 weeks of PTO, increases to 3 weeks after 3 years
• Paid Sick Leave separate from PTO
• English or Spanish language class tuition reimbursement program

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Moctezuma's Restaurant is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or other protected characteristics.

Cantina Monarca is a premier Pacific Northwest dining destination known for vibrant flavors, handcrafted cocktails, and a lively, welcoming atmosphere. As the flagship concept of Elev8 Hospitality Group, Cantina Monarca is dedicated to delivering exceptional guest experiences through authentic cuisine, genuine hospitality, and high operational standards.

Our success starts with our people. We are committed to building strong teams, developing leaders, and creating opportunities for employees to grow within our organization. We value teamwork, accountability, continuous improvement, and individuals who take pride in delivering an exceptional experience for every guest.

Whether you are beginning your hospitality career or looking for your next leadership opportunity, Cantina Monarca offers a fast-paced, team-oriented environment where your contributions make an impact.