Tasting Room Pizza & Culinary Chef

Job Description
We are seeking a creative, problem-solving chef to assist in launching our new modular kitchen program. If you love farm-to-fork cuisine and enjoy crafting artisan wood-fired pizzas, this role is for you! At Nostra Vita, our focus is méthode champenoise sparkling wines, and we are excited to pair our wines with your exceptional culinary offerings in our tasting room and at our events.

If you’ve ever worked in a small winery kitchen or have helped to open a small restaurant, you’d be the perfect candidate. Our goal is to utilize the kitchen not only for our tastings, but also for our wine club parties, music events, and catering for our private rentals.

Key Responsibilities
Food Prep & Presentation
• Prepare and cook artisan pizzas using our wood-fired oven for large groups.
• Create, assemble and serve gourmet deli items such as charcuterie boards, sandwiches, soups, salads, and 
  small bites.
• Ensure consistent portion control, a quality presentation, and adherence to standard recipes.
• Employ creative problem-solving skills and workarounds for small kitchens.

Inventory & Supply Management
• Monitor inventory and work with the owner to ensure the continuity of supplies, products, and ingredients.
• Create and maintain an ingredient list for each menu item as well as a price breakdown.

Sanitation & Safety Compliance
• Maintain clean, sanitary, and organized kitchen and prep areas. Observe industry sanitation practices and 
  safety procedures.
• Responsible for food orders and table deliveries, prepping station, preparation of ingredients, assembling 
  dishes, and ensuring quality and freshness of ingredients and products.
• Work efficiently in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail.

Kitchen & Equipment Maintenance
• Create and maintain a kitchen maintenance log.
• Operate and maintain kitchen and deli equipment, including the wood-fired pizza oven, grill, oven, air
  fryer, salamander, freezer, fridge, dish machine, and ice machine.

Guest Experience & Service
• Suggest and create new menu items that pair well with our wines and exceed our guests’ expectations.
• Ensure the safety of guests and staff.

Management retains the discretion to add or change the duties of the position as needed at any time.

Qualifications
Experience & Certification
• Minimum 3 years cooking experience, including experience as a line chef or restaurant cook, and 
  operating a wood-fired pizza.
• Food Handler’s Certification that meet San Joaquin County requirements.
• Experience with operating a small kitchen and/or initiating a small food business.

Technical & Culinary Skills
• Excellent understanding of various cooking methods, ingredients, equipment, and procedures.
• Minimum of two years experience in food and wine pairing.

Additional Skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a ‘can do’ service-oriented approach.
• Ability to work efficiently in a high-energy environment, adapting to changing needs while remaining 
  composed under pressure.
• Must have excellent written and verbal English language skills.
• Must have excellent Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
• Detail-oriented, strong organizational skills, a strong work ethic, and a positive attitude.

Working Conditions
• Must work onsite.
• Must be able to work weekends, some evenings, and some holidays.
• Must be able to lift, carry and/or move 50 lbs., regularly.
• Required to stand, walk, bend, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and climb stairs.
• Must be able to work outdoors using the wood-fired pizza oven.
• Must wear appropriate kitchen attire with closed toe shoes.
• Exposure to varying levels of dust, fumes, noisy equipment, and heat.

Pay Range for Part-Time
• $20 - $32 per hour dependent upon training, skill and experience
• Overtime pay
• Health insurance
• Vacation pay
• Paid sick time
• Employee discount on wines
• Thursday through Sunday, additional dates based upon private events
• Approximate start date: as soon as possible

This is a non-exempt position. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role. Actual placement within range will be contingent upon several factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s qualifications, education, experience, and alignment with market data.

Nostra Vita Family Winery is an Equal Opportunity Employer.