Experienced Sous Chef Jobs in Thomas Cuisine San Jose, CA

Founded in 1986, Thomas Cuisine is an award-winning, privately held contract food service company. We advocate the healing power of whole foods and believe in preparing scratch-made cuisine fresh each day. Every Thomas Cuisine team member is an ambassador, carrying out our mission, reflecting our values, and building relationships while "doing the right thing".

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare and execute daily meals that meet the nutritional and performance needs of professional athletes, ensuring excellence in taste, texture, and visual appeal.
• Support recipe testing and development, including menu items that align with athlete performance goals.
• Maintain sanitation, food safety standards, and kitchen cleanliness in compliance with all health regulations.
• Execute special meal requests and accommodate dietary needs with care and precision.
• Supervise kitchen operations and lead culinary staff during shifts in the absence of the Dietitian Director or Executive Chef.
• Assist in scheduling, training, and mentoring team members to maintain a consistent standard of excellence.
• Cultivate a positive, efficient, and respectful kitchen culture that encourages collaboration and accountability.
• Champion the use of fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients in all culinary output.
• Assist with ingredient receiving, inspection, storage, and inventory rotation.
• Support vendor relationships and sourcing practices that align with the organization’s quality and sustainability standards.
• Nutritional Awareness & Menu Support
• Prepare meals that accommodate various dietary restrictions, food allergies, and personalized nutrition plans.
• Collaborate with the Dietitian Director to implement seasonal menus, recipe modifications, and athlete-centered offerings.
• Ensure all meals provide balanced macro- and micronutrients in accordance with performance nutrition strategies.
• Cost and Waste Control
• Help manage kitchen inventory, control portion sizes, and track ingredient usage.
• Contribute to cost-effective culinary operations by minimizing waste and optimizing prep workflows.
• Support budget-conscious practices without compromising food quality or nutritional integrity.

Qualifications:

• Culinary degree or certification from an accredited culinary institution required.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a professional kitchen, with at least 1 year in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Prior experience cooking for athletes, wellness programs, or performance-focused culinary environments highly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of food safety standards, allergen management, and best practices in kitchen sanitation.
• Passion for high-quality ingredients, whole-food nutrition, and performance-based culinary design.
• Excellent knife skills, plating techniques, and familiarity with a variety of global cuisines.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• ServSafe Certification or equivalent required (or ability to obtain upon hire).
• Experience with inventory systems, ordering platforms, and food cost tracking a plus.
• Spanish speakers Strongly Preferred but not necessary

Additional Expectations:

• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed, particularly during competitive seasons.
• Willingness to learn and apply principles of sports nutrition in daily meal preparation.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills across culinary, nutrition, and athletic performance teams.
• High standards of professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality, especially in a high-profile team environment.
• A desire to grow within a high-performance kitchen setting and contribute to a culture of excellence.
• Perform other duties as assigned.