Chef de Cuisine at Union Square Cafe

Union Square Cafe’s seasonal cuisine draws inspiration from the kitchens and tables of Italy, France, and Northern California. Union Square Cafe—the flagship business that launched Union Square Hospitality Group—has been one of the country’s most beloved restaurants for over 40 years. In our second home on 19th Street, Union Square Cafe embodies the heartfelt passion and generosity that has been the restaurant’s calling card since we opened in 1985. Designed by Rockwell Group, our new home preserves the restaurant’s signature charm, intimacy, and familiarity in a fresh, contemporary dining environment. Union Square Cafe has won five James Beard Awards and earned Zagat Survey’s #1 ranking as New York’s Most Popular Restaurant an unprecedented nine times.

 

Who you are: 

The Chef de Cuisine is responsible for establishing and executing superior guest experience through excellent food and hospitality. This position supports the Executive Chef by organizing, planning, and directing all aspects of daily kitchen operations. The Chef de Cuisine must have a passion for creating delicious food, building and leading high performing teams, and delivering hospitality to stakeholders.

What you’ll do:

• Consistently deliver a culture of Enlightened Hospitality to guests and team members
• Oversee and hold the Sous Chef team accountable in effective daily operating procedures in all areas of the restaurant
• Lead a high performing kitchen team and maintain excellence & hospitality throughout each day’s specific service periods, ensuring consistent executive of foot and timely flow of service
• Demonstrate a proactive awareness of seasonal ingredient changes and partner with the Executive Chef to maintain menu changes in a timely and relevant manner
• Sets an example of a positive, collaborative work environment for both the service and kitchen teams, ensuring clear communication at all times
• Ensure that proper systems are in place to ensure back of house operations are kept clean, safe and up to all “A” level health code standards.
• Complete all assigned administrative requirements accurately and on time
• Provides feedback and guidance with excellence and hospitality in mind, ensuring that all team members have a pathway for growth and development
• Consistently looks for internal and external opportunities to build our growing team
• Cultivate a culture of Enlightened Hospitality for all stakeholders that supports our business objectives and growth

What we need from you:

• 4+ years of Sous Chef experience in similar environment
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, restaurant scheduling, inventory and purchasing experience necessary
• English fluency and Spanish preferred, but not required
• Ability to stand/walk for extended periods of time

What you’ll get from us:

At Union Square Hospitality Group, extending Enlightened Hospitality is at the heart of everything we do. We believe our people are our greatest ingredient. Joining our team means becoming part of a culture rooted in care, creativity, and growth. As a Chef de Cuisine, you’ll enjoy:

• Competitive pay and bonus potential: Annual compensation of $85,000 - $95,000 plus eligibility for a performance-based bonus, with consideration for your experience and impact
• Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus flexible spending options for healthcare and dependent care
• Time to recharge: Generous paid time off and paid parental leave to support life outside of work
• Investing in your future: A matched 401(k) plan to help you grow long-term savings
• Peace of mind: Life insurance, employee assistance programs, and exclusive access to primary care, mental health, and other wellness services.
• Support in times of need: Access to the USHG HUGS Employee Relief Fund, offering direct assistance to team members facing unexpected hardship
• Dining Credit: An annual dining credit to enjoy exceptional meals and experiences at any of our restaurants 
• Dining Discount: A 51% dining discount across the entire USHG family of restaurants to share unforgettable meals with friends and loved ones 
• Convenience & flexibility: Pre-tax commuter benefits for transit and parking
• Growth and community: Opportunities for learning, mentorship, and collaboration with some of the most passionate people in hospitality

Putting Enlightened Hospitality into Practice

Integral to our culture are our six behaviors. Our behaviors guide how we work together.

• We play to win with humble swagger. Hospitality is a team sport where everyone deserves an opportunity to thrive and belong
• Turn over the rocks and always be connecting dots to build uplifting experiences and relationships
• Center the salt shaker with an unwavering commitment to excellence and the values that matter most
• Write a great next chapter. The road to success is paved with mistakes well-handled
• Bring a charitable assumption and err on the side of generosity
• Leave our campsite better than we found it; always responsible for the impact of our wake

 

*The above represents the expected salary for this position. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we'll consider your experience and other job-related factors.

The responsibilities outlined above are not exhaustive. This role may be required to take on other duties or projects as necessary to support organizational goals, in alignment with their skills, experience, and the evolving needs of the business.

 

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