Emish Restaurant is a Ukrainian and European restaurant located in Federal Way, WA. We are looking for an experienced and passionate Head Chef to lead our kitchen team and help us deliver authentic, high-quality Ukrainian and European cuisine.The ideal candidate is an experienced culinary professional with strong leadership skills, excellent knowledge of Ukrainian and European cooking, and a passion for creating high-quality food.What You'll DoLead and oversee daily kitchen operationsPrepare and oversee authentic Ukrainian and European dishesDevelop and improve menu items while maintaining traditional flavors and qualityEnsure consistency in taste, quality, portion sizes, and presentationTrain, supervise, and support kitchen staffAssign daily tasks and ensure efficient kitchen workflowMonitor food preparation, cooking, plating, and serviceMaintain high standards of food quality and presentationManage food inventory, ordering, and product rotationControl food waste and help maintain food cost standardsEnsure proper food storage, labeling, and handlingMaintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchenEnsure compliance with food safety and sanitation standardsWork closely with restaurant management on menu planning, specials, and kitchen operationsLead by example and maintain a professional and respectful kitchen environmentWork Schedule: Full-time; schedule will be discussed during the interview. Weekend and holiday availability is required.Pay & Compensation: $27-35 per hour (Competitive pay based on experience and qualifications).Benefits:We offer competitive employee benefits including paid sick leave (1 hour per 40 hours worked), 5 paid holidays.Required Qualifications5+ years of professional experience as a Head Chef, Executive Chef, Chef, or Kitchen Manager.Must already have an established kitchen team or have proven experience recruiting and building a kitchen team from the ground up.Proven experience managing a restaurant with 110-120+ seats or a similar high-volume operation.Proven experience opening a restaurant from the ground up, with the ability to prepare and launch the kitchen operation within approximately 2 months.Strong knowledge of recipe and production development, including creating and maintaining standardized recipe/production cards.Strong understanding of food costing, cost pricing, portion control, and food cost management.Ability to prepare, understand, and manage Profit & Loss (P&L) for the kitchen/restaurant operation.Experience planning and managing purchasing, ordering, inventory, and supplier relationships.Ability to train, lead, and develop kitchen staff and maintain high performance standards.Experience with performance management, disciplinary warnings, employee termination, attendance, and timesheet management.Ability to create and manage staff schedules based on business needs, labor requirements, and expected volume.Proficiency with restaurant management software, POS systems, scheduling software, and other restaurant technology.Experience working in an open-kitchen environment.Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with strong soft skills and the ability to effectively manage people and resolve conflicts.Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills in a fast-paced, high-volume restaurant environment.Strong knowledge of food presentation and plating, with the ability to create attractive and consistent plate designs.Ability to maintain high standards of food quality, consistency, portioning, presentation, cleanliness, and kitchen organization.Experience developing and implementing kitchen SOPs, recipes, production standards, and quality-control procedures.Ability to monitor and improve kitchen efficiency, profitability, labor costs, and food costs.Strong knowledge of Ukrainian and European cuisine is highly preferred.Must be willing to be a hands-on leader and actively participate in kitchen operations, particularly during the restaurant opening and initial development period.