Experienced Junior Catering Chef/ Kitchen Manager Needed! (Santa Monica)

About the Role We are seeking a creative, driven, and hands-on Junior Catering Chef & Kitchen Manager to support our culinary operations. This is a unique opportunity for a rising culinary talent with a passion for Asian flavors, leadership, and kitchen management. The ideal candidate will work closely with ownership and the executive chef to maintain high standards, develop new dishes having in mind dietary restrictions and healthy food options, and support the kitchen team through both restaurant service and large-scale catered events. Pastry skills are required—the ability to execute plated desserts and event pastry offerings is an essential part of this role. Key Responsibilities Assist the Executive Chef in developing and testing dishes for both restaurant and catering menus Help prepare menu items, including vegan, gluten-free, kosher, and halal options and maintaining consistency in food quality, taste, and presentation Support pastry and dessert preparation for daily service and special events Help oversee daily kitchen tasks and maintain a clean, organized workspace and assist with training and guiding kitchen staff as needed Coordinate with front-of-house team to support smooth service and contribute to a respectful, team-focused kitchen environment Follow all food safety and sanitation guidelines Help with inventory checks, food orders, and tracking supplies when needed Support basic food costing, portioning, and waste reduction efforts Use tools like MarginEdge to help track food costs and kitchen efficiency Qualifications Minimum 2 years of professional kitchen experience, ideally with an Asian cuisine focus (e.g., Japanese, Thai, Korean, Vietnamese, or Chinese) Demonstrated pastry skills with the ability to execute elegant plated desserts and baked goods for events Catering experience (corporate and large-scale events) Excellent communication, multitasking, and leadership abilities Flexible schedule required, with strong availability on Sundays, as well as weekends, evenings, and holidays as needed Organized, self-motivated, and thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment Benefits Competitive hourly rate, commensurate with experience. Potential to transition to a salaried position based on performance, experience, and availability. Employee dining credits Opportunities for creative input and growth within a collaborative team How to Apply: Please reply with your resume and a brief introduction telling us about your experience.