Sous Chef

Hojoko•Boston, MA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Umami Riot was born from a simple idea: pair joyful hospitality with uncompromising craftsmanship. Founded by Chef Tim Cushman and sake expert Nancy Cushman, our restaurants celebrate bold flavor, precision, and a deep respect for Japanese foodways – translated through a distinctly Boston lens. At Umami Riot, we’re not here to follow the rules of hospitality, we’re here to rewrite them – with heart, craft and fearless creativity. Hojoko is where it all comes to life. A Japanese-inspired tavern fueled by loud music, high energy, and seriously good food. It’s where high-end technique meets low-key fun—wagyu cheeseburgers, spicy ramen, sake bombs—executed with the same precision and care as a fine dining kitchen. We take flavor seriously…everything else, not so much. We’re looking for a Sous Chef who leads from the line, sharpens the team, and keeps the kitchen firing on all cylinders.

Requirements

Leads with calm authority and isn’t afraid to get their hands dirty
Cares deeply about food, people, and doing things the right way
Thrives in high-volume, high-expectation kitchens
Enjoys teaching, coaching, and building the next generation of cooks
Thinks beyond the plate — labor, systems, costs, and growth matter
Brings discipline, curiosity, and pride to everything they touch
Active for long shifts, lifting up to 50 lbs., bending, reaching, and moving easily through tight spaces
Disciplined commitment to sanitation, safety, and cleanliness

Responsibilities

Right hand to the Executive Chef, trusted with real authority and held accountable for execution, culture, and consistency
Leadership from the line — balancing craft and command, precision and pressure, and setting the standard through action
Full control of daily culinary operations, including hiring, training, scheduling, systems, and service execution
Recipes, knife skills, prep standards, and plating enforced with discipline, driving consistency through tight systems and procedures
Strategic partnership with the Executive Chef on ordering, inventory, labor, and P&L awareness, managing supplies with intent and minimizing waste
Culture built by example — clean, focused, disciplined, and confident — leading services, private events, reporting, and management shifts, including nights, weekends, and moments that actually matter