Chef & Cafe Operations Manager

Laconia Market & Cafe is more than a cafe.

We're the neighborhood grocery store, coffee shop, gathering place, and first stop for thousands of people heading into the Cascades. On any given day, we're serving skiers before first chair, hikers grabbing lunch, locals picking up groceries, families on road trips, and regulars who know us by name.

We're looking for someone who wants to be part chef, part host, part leader, and part community builder.

This isn't a position where you'll hide in the kitchen. We believe the best hospitality happens when the people creating the food are also connecting with the people enjoying it.

• Oversee all daily kitchen operations
  

• Prepare breakfast, sauces, soups, salads, sandwiches, ingredients, bowl specials, and seasonal specials
  

• Order ingredients and manage inventory
  

• Maintain recipe books and food costing
  

• Manage prep schedules and prep logs
  

• Ensure consistency and quality every day
  

• Manage catering orders
  

• Maintain food safety and cleanliness standards
  

• Develop and refine recipes
  

• Reduce waste and maximize efficiency
  

• Training new employees
  

• Setting daily priorities
  

• Coaching team members
  

• Creating a positive workplace culture
  

• Helping staff grow
  

• Jumping into any position when needed
  

• Leading by example
  

• Greet guests
  

• Take food & drink orders at the register
  

• Answer questions about the menu
  

• Help customers shopping in the market
  

• Assemble customer orders
  

• Create a warm, welcoming atmosphere
  

You might be the perfect fit if you:

• Love cooking as much as you love people
  

• Enjoy wearing many hats
  

• Stay calm under pressure
  

• Enjoy a fast paced environment
  

• Naturally lead with kindness and accountability
  

• Take pride in clean, organized systems and spaces
  

• Like solving problems
  

• Can switch from making a sauce, to preparing a customer order, to helping someone find the sunscreen without missing a beat
  

• Believe no job is beneath you
  

• Enjoy working with a small, hardworking team
  

We're looking for someone with:

• 3+ years of professional kitchen experience
  

• Culinary school preferred
  

• Leadership or management experience
  

• Strong organizational skills
  

• Experience with ordering and inventory
  

• Knowledge of food safety standards
  

• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment
  

Bonus points if you have:

• Grocery or market experience
  

• Espresso experience
  

• Scratch cooking experience
  

• Bakery or pastry experience
  

• A love for skiing, biking, hiking, climbing, or mountain life
  

Six months into this role:

• The kitchen runs smoothly, even on the busiest days.
  

• Prep is organized and consistent.
  

• Food quality is exceptional.
  

• The front-of-house team feels supported.
  

• Guests know your name.
  

• The cafe feels welcoming, calm, and fun even during the rush.
  

This isn't a corporate restaurant.

We're independently owned by two women who care deeply about good food, thoughtful design, and creating a place where our mountain community gathers. Every decision we make is centered around serving Snoqualmie Pass with quality, warmth, and authenticity.

If you're looking for a job where you'll simply manage a kitchen, this probably isn't it.

If you're looking for a place where you can help shape a beloved community cafe, know your customers by name, work with an incredible team, and live the mountain lifestyle, we'd love to meet you.

Position: Chef & Caf Operations Manager