Position: Development Chef

Location: New York City (with travel as needed including NY, DC & Boston)

About

A rapidly growing modern Japanese concept known for its innovative approach to sushi and Japanese cuisine. We are redefining the fast-casual experience with high-quality offerings in both dine-in and grab-and-go formats.

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled and creative Development Chef to lead the evolution of our culinary program. This individual will be responsible for menu innovation, standardization, and training across multiple locations. The ideal candidate is a seasoned sushi chef with both fine dining pedigree and high-volume experience, capable of translating culinary excellence into scalable systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development, testing, and standardization of all menu items including sushi, maki, temaki, and hot dishes.
• Collaborate with the executive team to conceptualize and refine recipes, ensuring consistency, quality, and operational efficiency.
• Create training guides and conduct hands-on training for kitchen teams at new and existing locations.
• Partner with operations and sourcing teams to ensure ingredient quality and process alignment with brand standards.
• Oversee kitchen systems optimization, focusing on prep, service, and quality control procedures that support scalable growth.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of experience in sushi-focused kitchens, with a combination of fine dining and high-volume operations.
• Expertise in Japanese cuisine and demonstrated culinary creativity.
• Proven experience in menu development, culinary R&D, and SOP creation.
• Background in opening new restaurants and training culinary staff.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Passion for innovation and contributing to a dynamic, expanding brand.

Compensation & Benefits

• Full-time role based in NYC, Monday-Friday (daytime)
• $120k+ (commensurate with experience)
• Health & PTO
• Travel required for market expansion and training support (New York, D.C., Boston)
• Opportunities for growth within a fast-scaling concept
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• #AA