Kitchen Manager

About Loveski

Loveski is a “Jew-ish” deli born out of Northern California by Christopher and Martina Kostow. Featuring handmade sourdough bagels, house-made pickles, farm-fresh ingredients, and the finest cured and smoked meats, we blend traditional appetizing store sensibilities with an irreverent, artisanal twist. As part of Team Kostow, we approach casual dining with the same care, craft, and sophistication as a Michelin-starred kitchen. We are seeking a highly motivated, culinary-driven Kitchen Manager to lead our Back-of-House (BOH) team, maintain our high standards of food execution, and support our continued growth.

Position Overview

As the Kitchen Manager, you will be the anchor of our kitchen operations. You are responsible for ensuring every bagel sandwich, sandwich, and grab-and-go item leaves the kitchen looking and tasting exceptional. This is a hands-on leadership role that balances excellent culinary technique with strong business acumen—including inventory tracking, labor management, and high-level quality control.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership: Oversee daily BOH workflows, manage high-volume line service, and ensure consistency in recipe adherence, plating, and portion control.

• Team Management: Recruit, onboard, schedule, and continuously train line cooks, prep staff, and dishwashers. Cultivate a respectful, professional, and positive kitchen culture.

• Financial & Cost Controls: Manage food and labor costs to meet target budgets. Oversee daily and weekly inventory counts, forecast par levels, and handle ordering with preferred vendors.

• Quality Assurance & Safety: Maintain immaculate sanitation and kitchen organization. Enforce compliance with health department, ServSafe, and local food safety guidelines.

Qualifications & Skills

• Experience: Minimum 2–3 years of experience as a Kitchen Manager, Sous Chef, or Kitchen Supervisor in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. Experience with baking, deli/cured meats, or high-volume catering is a significant plus.

• Leadership: Proven ability to coach, motivate, and retain a diverse team while remaining calm and effective under high-pressure service periods.

• Business Acumen: Solid understanding of calculating food/labor costs and working with digital restaurant inventory and POS systems.

• Certifications: Current ServSafe Manager certification required.

• Physical Requirements: Ability to stand for extended periods, work flexible hours (including mornings, weekends, and holidays), and lift up to 50 lbs.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and performance-based opportunities

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance packages

• Paid Time Off (PTO)

• A dynamic, creative, and supportive growth environment alongside world-class culinary leaders

To Apply

If you are an organized, passionate kitchen leader who values craft and community, we want to hear from you. Please submit your resume and a brief summary of why you'd be a great fit for Loveski.

More detail about Loveski Deli - Napa part of Chef Christopher Kostow