Executive Chef – Japanese Cuisine & Sushi Operations in Kirkland, Washington at Bamboo Sushi - Kirkland

Executive Chef - Japanese Cuisine & Sushi Operations

Bamboo Sushi | Kirkland, WA

Bamboo Sushi is a restaurant of purpose. Through our food, our service and our spirit, we are offering an experience that seeks to inspire.

Join Bamboo Sushi as our Executive Chef in Kirkland, WA, and lead a culinary team dedicated to exceptional Japanese cuisine, expertly executed sushi, outstanding hospitality, and operational excellence.

We’re seeking a hands-on culinary leader who combines advanced sushi preparation skills and a strong understanding of Japanese cuisine with proven experience leading high-volume, full-service kitchen operations. The ideal candidate is equally passionate about culinary craftsmanship, developing people, maintaining exceptional quality standards, and driving business results.

A culinary skills interview and tasting will be required as part of the interview process before any hiring decisions are made.

Health, Wealth, and Happiness

• Competitive compensation: $85,000 annually, based on experience, plus 10% bonus potential.
• Quarterly bonus opportunities.
• Great benefits, including health insurance options, life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program.
• Vacation time, with up to three weeks accrued during years 1–5.
• 401(k).
• Employee discounts.
• Opportunities for advancement and continued education within the company.

What You'll Bring to the Table

• A commitment to fostering a culture of positivity, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Strong hands-on expertise in sushi preparation and Japanese cuisine, including fish fabrication, knife skills, nigiri, sashimi, and sushi production.
• The ability to lead, oversee, and execute all kitchen and sushi operations while maintaining exceptional food quality, service standards, and guest experiences.
• A commitment to consistent execution, including quality control, portioning, presentation, and adherence to established recipes and specifications.
• Proven ability to manage kitchen operations, including labor, food costs, inventory, ordering, food safety, and overall financial performance.
• Experience hiring, training, coaching, and developing BOH employees and future leaders.
• A leadership approach that balances hands-on culinary execution with effective delegation, team development, and operational oversight.
• The ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion while handling sensitive and confidential information professionally.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of related culinary experience and/or training, including substantial professional experience in sushi and Japanese cuisine.
• At least two years of BOH management experience leading kitchen operations in a high-volume, full-service restaurant.
• Demonstrated hands-on proficiency in sushi preparation, including fish fabrication, nigiri, sashimi, and related Japanese culinary techniques.
• Experience overseeing kitchen teams, maintaining culinary standards, and managing food and labor costs.
• Strong communication, organizational, problem-solving, and team leadership skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while maintaining composure, quality, and attention to detail.
• Willingness to participate in a culinary skills interview and tasting.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

We strive to create an inclusive and diverse culture where everyone is respected for their thoughts and ideas. We believe in fostering an inspiring environment that employees are proud to be part of every day. Together, we work with our employees, guests, partners, and community to build a path forward rooted in equality. We value equal pay, equal rights, and equal opportunities for advancement for all.

Work Environment

Work is performed primarily in a fast-paced, full-service restaurant environment with frequent distractions and elevated noise levels.

Physical Requirements

The essential functions of this position may require the ability to:

• Move throughout the restaurant and office to access food, beverages, machinery, and restaurant equipment.
• Operate basic office and restaurant equipment.
• Ascend and descend ladders or stairs when necessary to access equipment, lighting, and other fixtures.
• Communicate and exchange accurate information with team members and guests.
• Distinguish tastes and flavors, including sweet and bitter.
• Work effectively in a noisy, fast-paced, and occasionally distracting environment.

The physical demands described above are representative of those necessary to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to participate in all aspects of the employment process and perform essential job functions.

If you need a reasonable accommodation during the employment process or to perform the essential functions of this position, please contact the HR Department at thepeopleteam@sustainablerestaurantgroup.com