Menu Development Chef Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Downtown San Antonio, Texas

SOUS CHEF

Job Type: Full-Time | Schedule: Flexible | Pay: Competitive, Based on Experience

ABOUT US

We are an independent café and dinner concept rooted in craft, creativity, and genuine hospitality. Located in the heart of Downtown San Antonio, we are currently in pre-opening development - building our menu, our team, and our identity from the ground up. Our dinner program is chef-driven and foodie-focused, and we take the food we put on the plate seriously. We are looking for a Sous Chef who wants to be part of building something from scratch, not just maintain someone else's playbook.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is a pre-opening hire. You will be in the kitchen with us from the beginning - participating in menu tastings, developing and refining dishes, establishing prep systems, and helping shape the culinary identity of the concept before we open our doors. Once open, you will serve as the second-in-command of the kitchen: executing service, leading the line, training and developing kitchen staff, and maintaining the quality and consistency of everything that leaves the kitchen. This role requires both creative passion and operational discipline. You need to be as comfortable ideating a new dish at a tasting as you are running a busy dinner service.

WHAT YOU'LL DO - PRE-OPENING

• Participate actively in menu development tastings - contribute ideas, give honest feedback, and help refine dishes to their best version
• Collaborate with ownership on building a dinner menu that is approachable, exciting, and executable at scale
• Help establish kitchen systems - prep lists, station setups, recipe documentation, and portion standards
• Assist in sourcing and evaluating local and regional ingredients and vendors
• Help hire and onboard line cooks and prep staff as the team grows
• Build out training materials and standards for kitchen execution

WHAT YOU'LL DO - DURING SERVICE

• Lead and manage the kitchen line during dinner service in the absence of the head chef
• Execute all menu items to recipe, portion, and presentation standards with consistency
• Monitor food quality at every stage - from prep through plating - and hold the team to the same standard
• Manage station readiness, mise en place, and line setup before each service
• Train, coach, and develop line cooks and prep staff on technique and standards
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen at all times - lead by example
• Oversee proper food storage, labeling, rotation, and waste reduction
• Communicate clearly with front-of-house during service to ensure a seamless guest experience
• Support catering and private events as needed - prep, execution, and breakdown
• Flag any equipment issues, supply shortages, or food safety concerns immediately

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• A genuine passion for food - you think about cooking when you're not cooking
• Strong culinary technique and a solid foundation in kitchen fundamentals - you've put in the time
• Creative curiosity: you have opinions about food and you're not afraid to share them at the tasting table
• Leadership presence: the line looks to you and you rise to it
• Flexibility: pre-opening is not a straight line - you adapt, problem-solve, and stay positive
• Reliability and professionalism: kitchens run on trust and so does this team
• A clean, organized working style that sets the standard for everyone around you
• Genuine investment in building something - this isn't just a job, it's a launch

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 3 years of kitchen experience, with at least 1 year in a lead or senior cook role
• Experience in a dinner or fine-casual dining environment strongly preferred
• Food Handler Manager Certification required (or must be obtained within 30 days of hire)
• Strong working knowledge of food safety standards, HACCP principles, and sanitation requirements
• Experience with menu development, recipe documentation, and costing is a plus
• Must be available for flexible scheduling including evenings, weekends, and pre-opening prep sessions
• Catering or events experience is a plus

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to stand, walk, and move for the full duration of a shift - often 8–10 hours
• Able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs (bulk ingredients, sheet pans, supply deliveries)
• Comfortable working in hot kitchen environments near open flame, ovens, and hot surfaces
• Ability to work in cold environments - walk-in refrigerators and freezers are part of daily work
• Able to perform repetitive tasks - chopping, slicing, cooking - for extended periods
• Must be able to reach, bend, kneel, and stoop to access equipment, shelving, and storage
• Clear verbal communication in a fast-paced, high-noise kitchen environment

WORKING CONDITIONS

You will work in a kitchen environment in Downtown San Antonio. Pre-opening hours will be flexible and collaborative. Once open, shifts will include evenings, weekends, and extended hours during events and high-volume service. Kitchen uniforms and safety footwear are required. Parking is easy and accessible for all team members. This is a physically demanding role - and a rewarding one. We are building something we are proud of and we want you to feel that pride too.