Chef de Cuisine (The Restaurant at JUSTIN) - Dinner Service

JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery is more than a beautiful place to drink exceptional wine. It’s a unique viticultural microclimate. It’s a one-MICHELIN-starred restaurant. It’s a Forbes 5-Star and Five Diamonds by AAA hospitality experience. It's world-class service at the JUST INN. 

Join our award-winning culinary team at JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery. We are seeking a seasoned Chef de Cuisine with a proven track record of crafting exceptional high-end cuisine and a strong background in MICHELIN, Forbes 5-Star, or AAA 5-Diamond hospitality to help us continue delivering a world-class dining experience.

The Chef de Cuisine is responsible for supporting the Executive Chef in overseeing dinner culinary operations within the Restaurant at JUSTIN, including all special events and future culinary programs. In managing day-to-day kitchen operations, the Chef de Cuisine partners directly with the Pastry, Farmstead, and Restaurant teams to facilitate a luxury dining experience to the Chef’s standards, guided by MICHELIN and Forbes criteria. 

This full-time position is based at the JUSTIN Estate: 11680 Chimney Rock Road, Paso Robles, CA. 

• Uphold food quality and standards set by the Executive Chef and Executive Sous Chef, maintaining or exceeding MICHELIN and Forbes levels
• Lead menu innovation and recipe creation, introducing current trends, techniques, and flavors while aligning with the restaurant’s brand and Executive Chef's vision
• Oversee daily kitchen operations, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and proper delegation through prep lists, line checks, and lineups
• Partner with the farmstead to plan crops, manage inventory, and adjust menus to minimize waste and maximize product usage
• Maintains sustainable practices focused on sourcing local, quality ingredients by partnering with existing and new farmers, including our own farmstead, while continuing to develop these programs
• Maintain kitchen inventory, ordering, and proper storage of items/ingredients
• Maintain cleanliness, sanitation, and safety standards in compliance with all health codes; ensure proper use of equipment with an emphasis on safety and hygiene
• Coach, train, and mentor sous chefs, line cooks, and junior staff; assign tasks and provide clear direction
• Expedite at the pass to ensure seamless flow of service in partnership with the front of house
• Collaborate closely with the Executive Chef, FOH managers, sous chefs, and farmstead managers to ensure smooth service
• Manage bi-weekly payroll (within budget), annual reviews, hiring, and performance management for the Sous Chefs and line-level staff
• Manage budgets for food and operating costs related to the Culinary and The Restaurant departments
• Responsible for the procurement of produce and supplies
• Handle multiple projects with minimal supervision in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment while working effectively with diverse personalities
• Maintain consistent product evaluation through regular tastings and presentation checks
• Continually advance knowledge of current trends, techniques, and flavors to introduce into menu enhancements

• 3-5 years of fine-dining culinary experience in a MICHELIN, Forbes 5-Star, or AAA 5-Diamond setting is required
• Minimum 2 years of management experience, including building, training, and mentoring high-performing teams required
• 1+ year of wine sales experience
• Culinary degree preferred
• Genuine passion for culinary operations and pursuit of perfection to create memorable experiences
• Proven track record of working under pressure while maintaining composure, emotional intelligence, and attention to detail
• Availability to work weekends, evenings, and holidays as needed
• Ability to establish direction, secure commitment, and execute effective management processes
• Strong team player with the ability to work independently and adapt to changing priorities
• Proven success working with others, excellent communication skills, and ability to relate to people at all levels as a mentor and educator
• Strong organizational skills and a solution-oriented mindset

Pay Range: $90,000 - $120,000 and may include a discretionary bonus.  Final compensation will be dependent upon skills & experience.

• Thriving Wellness Community: Access to top-notch medical coverage comprehensive vision and dental plans, and a 401k with match eligibility to secure your financial future and including: 
  • 24/7 online physician consultations 
  • virtual mental health resources 
  • life coaching 
  • engaging employee community groups 
  • cash rewards for healthy habits and fitness reimbursements 
  • library of on-demand fitness videos 
• Career Advancement Opportunities: Unlock your potential with clear paths for career progression and internal mobility across our diverse family of brands and business units. 
• Focused Learning and Development: Grow as a leader with our dedicated Learning and Organizational Development department, offering extensive resources like People Manager and leadership training, webinars, and eLearning courses. 
• Empowering Mentorship Program: Connect with colleagues through our company-wide mentorship program to share goals, overcome challenges, and drive your career forward. 
• Continuous Improvement Training: Participate in training that empowers all employees to learn and implement concepts that drive significant, positive change in the workplace. 
• Building a Healthy Society: To date, our co-Founders Lynda and Stewart Resnick, through their foundations and The Wonderful Company, have invested more than $2.5 billion in education, health and wellness, community development, and sustainability initiatives across California’s Central Valley, Fiji, and the world. In 2024, Wonderful ranked as #3 in PEOPLE’s “100 Companies That Care” list and was named one of Fortune magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For. To learn more about our corporate social responsibility efforts, visit csr.wonderful.com.
• Giving Back to the Community: Make a difference with Wonderful Giving, allowing you to allocate company-provided funds to up to three charities of your choice, and join Wonderful Neighbor to contribute to group service projects within our local communities. 

Located in Paso Robles, JUSTIN® Vineyards & Winery was founded in 1981 and is known for crafting world- class wines using Bordeaux grape varieties, including the iconic ISOSCELES® blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The Vineyard estate, located at 11680 Chimney Rock Road, features a Tasting Room, luxury five-star accommodations at the JUST Inn®, and a Restaurant—making it one of the only wineries on the Central Coast to offer all three options.  In September 2018, a new second location, the JUSTIN Downtown Tasting Room opened introducing an expansive wine-tasting bar, lounge, and a full dining room that’s situated prominently on the square along Downtown City Park in the heart of Paso Robles. In addition to its stellar hospitality, JUSTIN consistently receives top honors around the world, establishing itself as a leader in New World Bordeaux-style winemaking. JUSTIN wines are available through discerning fine wine retailers and restaurants throughout the United States, or directly from the Winery via JUSTIN’s Tasting Room, online store or to members of the exclusive JUSTIN Wine Society wine club. To discover more about JUSTIN, visit www.justinwine.com.

The Wonderful Company is an Equality Opportunity Employer that provides opportunities for advancement. We are committed to creating a diverse workforce that embodies a deep culture of acceptance, equity, and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories.

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