Sushi Chef
At Panda, we share a common mission: "Deliver exceptional Asian dining experiences by building an organization where people are inspired to better their lives." We invest in our people because great people run great operations that exceed our guests' expectations. Our culture is dedicated to its mission and our five fundamental values: Proactive, Respect/Win-Win, Growth, Great Operations, and Giving.
Panda Restaurant Group includes Panda Inn fine dining restaurants, Panda Express fast-casual Chinese food, and Hibachi San Japanese grill. The family-owned company, founded by Andrew and Peggy Cherng, offers competitive benefits and rewarding opportunities nationwide, from entry-level to management positions.
About the role
Panda Inn is looking for experienced Sushi Chefs to join our fast-paced fine dining team. This role involves preparing sushi, creating new dishes, interacting with guests, and maintaining a clean work environment.
Responsibilities
- Prepare sushi, including fancy rolls and fish preparation
- Create new dishes, rolls, presentations, and sauces
- Interact with guests, explain food knowledge, and educate at the sushi bar
- Ensure all dishes are fresh and presentable
- Maintain a clean work area
- Upsell menu items
- Multitask in a fast-paced environment under pressure
- Lift up to 50 lbs to shoulder level repetitively
- Stand for up to 5 hours without sitting
- Follow instructions accurately without close supervision or visual aids
Requirements
- 2+ years of sushi-making experience
- Outgoing personality with strong upselling skills
- Neat, clean, and sharp appearance
- Strong customer service skills
- Excellent listening and communication skills; fluent English is required
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment
Work Environment
- Counter areas are often hot with steam from steam tables and food vapors
- Workspace is restricted; standing for long periods is required
- Must prepare hot and cold foods using kitchen equipment like Chinese cook knives
- Kitchens are hot with high noise levels; storage space is limited and shelving is high
- Requires effective verbal communication, adaptability to changing priorities, and conflict management
Benefits
- Progressive compensation package with bonus opportunities
- Paid training and ongoing career & leadership development
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance for full-time associates
- 401K with company match
- Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, bereavement/funeral leave, and Leave Share Program
- Associate discounts and free meals while working
- Opportunities for growth into management positions
- Voluntary Short-Term Disability and Cancer Income Protection insurance
- Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending accounts
- Pre-Tax Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
- Discounts at theme parks, gym memberships, and more
- Opportunity to give back to the community
- Continuous education assistance and scholarships
- Lucrative associate referral bonus
- Income protection including Disability, Life, and AD&D insurance
Candidates must meet eligibility requirements for each benefit to qualify. See Panda Benefits Details for more information.
Pay
$22 per hour - $26 per hour. Within this range, individual pay is determined by work location and experience. Panda makes no guarantee that any associate will earn a bonus and reserves the right to change or terminate bonus programs at any time.