Head Chef, Catering

Tokyo Gardens Company • Houston, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Sushic, LLC, an affiliated company of Tokyo Gardens Company, is a Houston-based company providing full-service sushi and Asian food operations in retail stores, universities and corporate offices nationwide for over 20 years. Our company is growing rapidly, and every team member plays a key role in that growth. Our success is driven by delivering real results for our clients. It's also enabled by our culture, which supports personal growth and development, fosters an inclusive work culture, and rewards innovation and excellence. The Catering Head Chef is a dual-role leader responsible for the artistic creation of our high-end Omakase menus and the operational growth of our catering division. We are looking for a culinary innovator who can personally orchestrate the entire lifecycle of an event—from selecting the menu and ordering ingredients to leading the prep and executing the final service. This position is ideal for a chef who possesses both the creativity to keep clients entertained with seasonal ingredients and the operational discipline to manage food costs and execute multiple events simultaneously.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in a chef role within high-volume catering or fine dining environments
• 3-5 years of specialized expertise in Kaiseki and traditional Japanese cuisine required
• Proven experience managing P&L and Food Cost for large-scale operations
• Strong negotiation skills with experience managing multiple food vendors
• Experience training and managing a culinary brigade of 10+ individuals
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English are required
• Excellent customer service and client facing skills
• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities across multiple event locations
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel for P&L) and other related presentation tools
• Ability to work nights and weekends as needed for events
• Ability to travel to event sites as required

Responsibilities

• Lead the full lifecycle of catering events including strategic menu selection, ingredient procurement, food preparation, and on-site execution to ensure a seamless guest experience
• Design and execute dynamic, seasonal Omakase tasting menus that showcase premium, peak-season ingredients and deliver a distinctive dining experience for high-end clients
• Mentor and train a high-performing team of catering chefs to execute complex menus with precision, ensuring consistent quality across multiple simultaneous events
• Incorporate seasonal storytelling and interactive elements into the Omakase experience to keep clients entertained, engaged, and eager to book future events
• Partner with marketing media team to create visually compelling culinary content that supports brand awareness and market positioning
• Manage the full inventory of catering items, implementing strict tracking systems to minimize waste and ensure readiness for all events
• Own the Profit & Loss (P&L) of each event, specifically controlling the food cost portion to maximize margins while delivering value
• Actively source new, high-quality ingredients to elevate menu offerings and differentiate our catering services from competitors
• Continuously meet with food vendors to negotiate low costs, secure volume pricing, and bring new ingredients to our kitchen
• Actively work to grow the catering business by delivering consistent excellence that drives word-of-mouth referrals and client loyalty
• Regularly enhance menus by incorporating seasonal ingredients, client feedback, and global culinary trends to keep offerings fresh, innovative, and competitive
• Other duties and responsibilities as required

Benefits

• Base salary + commission
• Paid Time Off
• Paid health benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Short Term Disability insurance)
• 401k plan with company match
• Annual bonus incentive

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed