Position Overview
We are looking for a passionate and experienced Head Chef specializing in South Indian and Kerala cuisine to help establish and operate a small restaurant. This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys building something from the ground up, creating authentic recipes, designing menus, training staff, and ensuring excellent food quality every day.
The ideal candidate will take ownership of the kitchen operations and work closely with management to create a simple, authentic, and memorable dining experience.
Key Responsibilities - Restaurant Setup
- Assist in setting up the kitchen and selecting required equipment and utensils.
- Design a practical and profitable menu focused on South Indian and Kerala specialties.
- Develop and standardize recipes to ensure consistent taste and quality.
- Help identify suppliers and source quality ingredients.
Food Preparation & Menu Development
- Prepare and cook authentic South Indian and Kerala dishes.
- Create signature dishes and daily specials.
- Develop recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and catering orders.
- Ensure consistency in taste, presentation, and portion sizes.
Kitchen Operations
- Manage daily kitchen activities and food production.
- Maintain cleanliness, food safety, and hygiene standards.
- Monitor inventory and reduce food waste.
- Assist with purchasing and stock management.
Team Leadership
- Train and guide kitchen assistants and cooks.
- Establish simple kitchen procedures and workflows.
- Foster a positive and productive work environment.
Quality & Customer Satisfaction
- Ensure every dish meets quality standards.
- Address customer feedback related to food quality.
- Continuously improve recipes and menu offerings based on customer preferences.
Qualifications
- Minimum 3–5 years of experience preparing South Indian and Kerala cuisine.
- Strong knowledge of traditional Kerala dishes such as Appam, Puttu, Idiyappam, Kerala Parotta, Malabar Biriyani, Fish Curry, Beef Fry, and Kerala-style vegetarian dishes.
- Experience creating menus and standardizing recipes.
- Ability to work independently and manage a small kitchen operation.
- Knowledge of food safety and sanitation requirements.
- Strong organizational and leadership skills.
What We Are Looking For
A chef who is:
- Passionate about authentic Kerala and South Indian food.
- Creative and capable of developing simple, attractive menu offerings.
- Comfortable handling all aspects of a small kitchen operation.
- Reliable, hardworking, and committed to maintaining high food quality.
- Interested in growing with the business and contributing ideas for its success.
Pay: $15.80-$34.32 per hour
Work Location: In person
