Executive Sushi Chef

Executive Sushi Chef New Japanese Concept | Philadelphia, PA Relocation Assistance Available | Partnership Opportunity A hospitality group is seeking an exceptional Executive Sushi Chef to lead the culinary vision for an ambitious new Japanese restaurant concept opening in Philadelphia. This is a rare opportunity for an accomplished sushi chef to join a concept at its earliest stage and work directly with ownership to build something distinctive in the Philadelphia market. We are seeking a chef with significant experience in Michelin-starred or Michelin-recognized Japanese restaurants who brings exceptional technical ability, creativity, leadership, and a genuine desire to build. For the right individual, this role offers the potential to evolve beyond a traditional Executive Chef position into a long-term partnership opportunity tied to the success and growth of the concept. The Opportunity The Executive Sushi Chef will have significant creative influence over the restaurant, including its culinary identity, menu, sourcing strategy, sushi counter experience, kitchen operations, and culinary team. This individual will work closely with ownership throughout development, opening, and ongoing operations to establish a restaurant capable of competing at the highest level.

Key Responsibilities

- Develop and lead the restaurant's sushi, sashimi, nigiri, and omakase programs
- Collaborate directly with ownership on the culinary vision and identity of the concept
- Create a highly distinctive menu rooted in exceptional ingredients, seasonality, technique, and Japanese culinary tradition
- Establish relationships with premier seafood purveyors and specialty suppliers, including sourcing from Japan
- Oversee fish selection, purchasing, receiving, aging, breakdown, storage, and utilization
- Establish exacting standards for sushi rice, knife work, fish preparation, seasoning, presentation, and service
- Participate in the design and operational planning of the sushi counter and kitchen
- Recruit, train, mentor, and lead an exceptional opening culinary team
- Develop recipes, specifications, training programs, and culinary standards
- Collaborate with beverage and service leadership to create a seamless and elevated guest experience
- Manage food cost, purchasing, inventory, labor, and product yields while maintaining uncompromising quality
- Maintain the highest standards of sanitation, food safety, organization, and product handling
- Serve as the culinary face of the restaurant and help establish its reputation locally and nationally
- Participate in the long-term strategic development and potential growth of the concept Ideal Background
- Extensive professional sushi experience with meaningful leadership experience in Michelin-starred, Michelin-recognized, or similarly acclaimed Japanese restaurants
- Exceptional mastery of nigiri, sashimi, fish butchery, sushi rice, aging techniques, and omakase
- Deep understanding of Japanese ingredients, seafood seasonality, sourcing, and traditional preparation
- Experience creating or significantly contributing to a high-level sushi or Japanese culinary program
- Executive Chef, Head Sushi Chef, Chef de Cuisine, or comparable leadership experience
- Restaurant opening experience strongly preferred
- Demonstrated ability to recruit, train, and develop exceptional culinary talent
- Strong understanding of food cost, purchasing, inventory, labor management, and restaurant operations
- Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to craftsmanship
- Collaborative, confident leadership style
- Entrepreneurial mindset and interest in helping build a restaurant and brand from the ground up Compensation & Opportunity A highly competitive executive compensation package will be offered based on experience, along with benefits and relocation assistance for candidates outside of the Philadelphia market . For an exceptional candidate who shares the ownership group's vision, there is also the potential for a meaningful long-term partnership opportunity as the concept develops and grows. Philadelphia, PA | Full-Time | Relocation Assistance Available All conversations and applications will be handled with complete confidentiality.