Kitchen Manager in Menlo Park, California at Burma Inc

Location: Burma Love Menlo Park

Position: Kitchen Manager

Salary: $85,000 – 90,000 (DOE)

**We are seeking candidates with 5-7 years of experience in Asian cuisine, preferable Burmese, Thai and/or Chinese cuisine**

* Applicants must be willing to participate in a 4–6-week training program at our East Bay and San Francisco locations to ensure a successful transition into the role *

Calling all foodies, the passionate, the inspired!

At Burma Food Group, we are more than just a company - we are a family of passionate individuals who believe that food is a celebration, a source of discovery, and a way to connect with culture. From our first restaurant, Burma Superstar, we`ve grown into a thriving family of restaurants (Burma Love and Burma Bites), a retail line, and a non-profit organization - and this is just the beginning.

We are seeking a skilled and experienced Kitchen Manager to play a critical role in supporting the General Manager and leading Back-of-House (BOH) operations at one of our Southeast Asian inspired restaurants. Located in the Peninsula this role is part of a vibrant and diverse culinary community that values authentic flavors and warm hospitality.

The ideal candidate will have Five (5) + years of restaurant leadership experience, a passion for culinary excellence, and the ability to inspire and mento a team of culinary professionals. We are looking for someone who brings strong technical skills, creativity, organization and a deep respect for authentic flavors.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Led daily kitchen operations in a high-volume upscale Asian restaurant, producing authentic dishes while maintaining consistency, quality and presentation standards.
• Managed and trained a team of cooks, prep cooks, and kitchen staff on Asian cooking techniques, recipe execution, food safety, and efficient line operations.
• Specialized in the preparation and execution of Southeast Asian, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, and other Asian cuisines, with expertise in Wok cooking, noodle dishes, curries, stocks, sauces, and traditional flavor profiles.
• Maintained food and labor costs through inventory control, waste reduction initiatives, vendor management, and strategic purchasing practices.
• Ensured compliance with all health department regulations, food safety standards, and sanitation procedures.
• Collaborated with executive chefs and management teams to develop seasonal menu items, specials, and authentic Asian-inspired dishes.
• Oversaw kitchen operations during peak service periods, consistently delivering high-quality food in a fast-paced environment serving hundreds of guests daily.
• Conducted staff scheduling, performance evaluations, coaching, and ongoing culinary training to improve productivity and retention.
• Managed receiving, storage, and inventory of specialty Asian ingredients, ensuring freshness and proper product rotation.
• Fostered a positive, team-oriented kitchen culture focused on accountability, efficiency, and exceptional guest experiences.

Job Responsibilities:

• Manage day-to-day kitchen operations to ensure timely, high-quality food preparation and presentation
• Supervise, train and mentor kitchen staff to ensure proper food handling, cooking techniques and safety practices
• Ensure the consistency of food quality, presentation and portion control
• Monitor inventory levels and assist with ordering and receiving ingredients and supplies
• Enforce food safety and cleanliness standards, ensuring compliance with local health regulations
• Collaborate with Front-of-House (FOH) team to ensure seamless communication and an outstanding dining experience for guests
• Help in menu development, testing new dishes and creating daily specials
• Lead by example, demonstrating strong organizational skills and working efficiently under pressure

Skills and Qualifications:

• Proven experience as a high-volume upscale Asian restaurant Kitchen manager
• Strong culinary knowledge and skills with a passion for food and creating memorable dishes
• Excellent leadership and management abilities
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation and health regulations
• Ability to multitask, prioritize and work well under pressure
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate with both kitchen and Front-of-House (FOH) staff
• Ability to acquire a California Food Handlers certification and Sexual Harassment certification (before or within 30 days of hire date)

A few reasons why you`ll love your job:

• Opportunity to be a part of a growing and passionate company and team
• Unique opportunity to bridge cultures through food
• Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k)
• Dining discounts across family of restaurants (Burma Superstar, Burma Love, Burma Bites and Alisios)

Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO):

Burma Food Group provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, and other protected classes. We also consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, consistent with legal requirements, in addition to federal law requirements. Burma Food Group complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company operates.