Job Description

Pay: $22–$25/hour

Shift: AM (Morning) 

Full-Time | Start ASAP

Hire Curated is helping Nisei, a Michelin Star restaurant with hiring a Prep Cook.

Led by Chef David Yoshimura, Nisei blends refined Japanese technique with California’s best seasonal ingredients to create an unforgettable dining experience.

Within our first year, we earned:

• Michelin Star

• Michelin “Young Chef Award”

• James Beard Award Nomination

We work closely with local farms, fishermen, and wineries, cultivating deep respect for every ingredient we use.

We’re seeking a Prep Cook with strong fundamentals, great attitude, and a hunger to learn. This role is perfect for someone who’s ready to grow into a Line Cook position through mentorship, repetition, and exposure to Michelin-level standards.

As a Prep Cook at Nisei, you will:

• Prepare ingredients, stocks, and sauces with precision and consistency

• Support the savory and pastry teams with daily mise en place

• Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient prep area

• Learn advanced Japanese techniques, from knife work to fermentation

• Rotate through prep and station shadowing as skills progress

• Receive hands-on training directly from Sous Chefs, and fellow cooks 

• Uphold ingredient integrity and food safety at all times

• 1+ year of professional kitchen experience (fine dining preferred)

• Culinary school graduate or equivalent hands-on training a plus

• Strong knife skills and eagerness to improve

• Humble, dependable, and curious

• Ability to work cleanly and efficiently

• Positive team player with great communication

• Passion for Japanese cuisine and craftsmanship

• Flexibility for all shifts shifts and weekends

If you’re serious about your growth and want to develop the skills to one day run your own station, this is the perfect entry point.

• Pay: $22–$25/hour

• Paid Vacation: 10 days per year

• Observed Holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve/Day, New Year’s Day

• Winter Break: 1 week off in January

• Summer Break: 1 week off around July 4th

• Parental Leave: Maternal & Paternal

• Health Insurance: Available after 3-month trial

• CalSavers Retirement Plan

• Dining & Beverage Discounts

• Family Meal Provided Daily

• Quarterly Learning Opportunities & Field Trips

At Nisei, we hire people with potential, not ego.

We believe that attention to detail, curiosity, and respect for ingredients are the foundation of a great chef.
Our kitchen is a place to learn, grow, and refine your craft surrounded by passionate professionals.

Start as a Prep Cook. Grow into a Line Cook.
Join a Michelin-starred team shaping the next generation of Japanese-American cuisine.

Apply via post or email your resume to   [email protected]

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