Sous Chef

MAKINA CAFE SOUS CHEF About The Company Makina Cafe is an established woman-owned Eritrean-Ethiopian Hospitality Company with a food truck, a catering kitchen, and a food stall on Governors Island. In the spring of 2025 Makina will be opening its first full-service brick and mortar location in Sunnyside/Long Island City, and the first Eritrean-Ethiopian restaurant in the famously diverse borough of Queens. Makina Café's mission is to serve delicious East African food without fear of putting a spin on this time-honored cuisine, and to educate their public about the history and culture behind this revered, long-standing culinary tradition in a welcoming, hospitable environment. About The Role Makina Café seeks a talented and dedicated chef with a legacy of kitchen management to lead the culinary team at our exciting new brick-and-mortar location in Queens. This is a unique opportunity for a passionate chef to join a growing company and play a key role in launching our first full-service restaurant, shaping the future of Makina Café and bringing the vibrant flavors of Eritrean and Ethiopian cuisine to a wider audience.The Sous Chef will be responsible for leading a team of cooks in the pristine execution of an Eritrean-Ethiopian menu that features classic ingredients with a modern touch. The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in East African cuisine and proven experience overseeing staff, managing kitchen inventory, and cooking excellent food to high standards of taste, quality, and presentation. QUALIFICATIONS 3+ years of experience in culinary leadership Experience in African or other diverse cuisines and related cooking techniques Demonstrated experience as a great team leader with a positive attitude Strong organizational and interpersonal skills Practiced at the giving and receiving of critical feedback Proven ability to multitask and work well under pressure Robust knowledge of cooking techniques, knife handling, food preparation Passionate commitment to cooking great food High standards for cleanliness Ability to lift 30+ pounds Night and weekend availability Food Handler's Certification DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Hire, train, and manage all back-of-house positions Ensure dishes are prepared and presented according to recipes and in alignment with owner's vision Collaborate with the owner on menu development Build and preserve a cooperative work environment with high standards of food quality Create weekly staff schedule and work alongside owner to create and maintain approved budget for back-of-house labor Establish standard operating procedures in collaboration with ownership and restaurant manager; communicate and perpetuate company policies, SOPs, and best practices Provide performance coaching: lead by example; counsel and advise staff; maintain a standardized system for two-way communication and feedback Educate fellow cooks on the long tradition of East African cuisine and the Makina story Work jointly with restaurant manager to address and incorporate customer feedback in order to continuously improve the dining experience Main point of contact for all kitchen-related vendors, including maintenance and repair personnel Responsible for all kitchen inventory, sourcing best products, maintaining accurate pars, controlling costs, and reducing waste Responsible for enforcing strict compliance with hygiene and safety standards in the kitchen, ensuring all equipment is properly maintained and food is stored and handled safely Report accurate weekly BOH payroll to restaurant manager Track and submit relevant invoices to A/P Work in partnership with Makina owners to realize their vision and their goals in terms of operational excellence and financial success

Created: 2025-02-15