Chef de Cuisine - Austin, TX
Posted on October 24, 2025
Aba is an esteemed dining establishment located on Music Lane in downtown Austin, Texas. This vibrant restaurant is renowned for showcasing the culinary talents of Chef Partner CJ Jacobson, who brings a lighter and inspired style of cooking heavily influenced by Mediterranean flavors from Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, and Greece. Aba offers a unique and authentic dining experience, combining expertly crafted dishes with a warm and inviting atmosphere, making it a sought-after destination for both locals and visitors. Aba is part of Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, a respected culinary-driven company recognized for its commitment to quality, innovation, and its people.
Lettuce Entertain You is a leader in the restaurant industry, operating over 130 locations nationwide, with a deep focus on nurturing diverse talents and providing extensive career growth opportunities. Known for its Culture of Caring, Lettuce offers competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and ongoing professional development, making it an excellent choice for food service professionals committed to advancing their careers.
Aba is currently seeking a talented and experienced Chef de Cuisine to join its dynamic kitchen team. This position calls for a culinary leader with a minimum of 4 years of Chef de Cuisine experience in a full-service restaurant. The role is critical in ensuring the highest standards of kitchen operation, food quality, and teamwork. The successful candidate will lead the back-of-house (BOH) team, overseeing kitchen operations from food preparation and cooking to inventory management and food cost control. With a salary ranging from USD 70,000 to USD 90,000 per year, this role offers competitive compensation alongside a robust set of benefits.
As Chef de Cuisine at Aba, the individual will spearhead the opening shift processes, including managing food orders, inventory, price updates, and storage procedures. They will lead and inspire kitchen staff, fostering a positive work environment in line with the company's Culture of Caring philosophy. The role demands exceptional leadership to maintain seamless kitchen operations and close collaboration with front-of-house managers to ensure timely service and quality of all menu items.
The Chef de Cuisine will have a hands-on role in developing menu selections, maintaining recipe books, and driving innovation in alignment with Aba’s Mediterranean culinary influences. They will also be involved in hiring, training, and mentoring kitchen staff, emphasizing continuous development and excellence. Regular communication with the General Manager and other management team members is essential for aligning operational goals and responding promptly to any challenges. This position requires flexibility regarding working hours, including early mornings, late nights, weekends, and potential overnight travel.
Overall, this role is a fantastic opportunity for a seasoned culinary professional eager to lead a vibrant kitchen in a respected restaurant that values quality, creativity, and people-focused leadership. Candidates will enjoy working with a progressive company that invests in its employees while delivering exceptional dining experiences steeped in rich Mediterranean flavors.
                - High school diploma or equivalent
 - minimum 4 years of Chef de Cuisine experience in a full-service restaurant
 - ability to work flexible hours including nights, weekends, and holidays
 - capability to lift up to 50 pounds
 - strong leadership and team management skills
 - excellent communication and interpersonal abilities
 - experience with food safety and sanitation standards
 - ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment