Tasting Room Pizza & Culinary Chef

We are seeking a passionate, creative chef to assist in launching our new modular kitchen program. If you love farm-to-table cuisine and enjoy crafting artisan wood-fired pizzas, this role is for you! At Nostra Vita, our focus is méthode champenoise sparkling wine, and we are excited to pair our wines with exceptional culinary offerings in our tasting room and at our events.

If you have ever worked in a small winery kitchen, or have helped to open a small restaurant, please let us know! Although this is initially a part-time position, our goal is to utilize the kitchen for not only our tastings, but our wine club parties, music events, and private rentals, quickly creating a full-time position.

Key Responsibilities

Food Preparation & Presentation

• Prepare and cook artisan pizzas using our wood-fired oven.

• Assemble and serve gourmet deli items such as charcuterie boards, sandwiches, salads, soups, and small bites.

• Ensure consistent portion control, quality presentation, and adherence to standard recipes.

Inventory & Supply Management

• Monitor inventory and work with owner to ensure the continuity of supplies, products, and ingredients.

Sanitation & Safety Compliance

• Maintain clean, sanitary, and organized kitchen and prep areas. Observe industry sanitation practices and safety procedures.

• Responsible for food orders and deliveries, prepping station, preparation of ingredients, assembling dishes, and ensuring quality and freshness of ingredients and products.

• Work efficiently in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail.

Kitchen & Equipment Maintenance

• Operate and maintain kitchen and deli equipment, including the wood-fired oven, grill, oven, air fryer, salamander, freezer, fridge, dish machine, and ice machine.

Guest Experience & Service

• Suggest and create new menu items that pair well with our wines and exceed our guests’ expectations.

• Ensure the safety of guests and staff.

Management retains the discretion to add or change the duties of the position at any time.

Qualifications

Experience & Certifications

• Minimum 3 years cooking experience, including experience as a line chef or restaurant cook, and wood-fired oven.

• Food Handler’s Certification that meets San Joaquin County requirements.

• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation regulations.

Technical & Culinary Skills

• Excellent understanding of various cooking methods, ingredients, equipment, and procedures.

• Experience in food and wine pairing.

Additional Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a service-oriented approach.

• Ability to work efficiently in a high-energy environment, adapting to changing needs while remaining 

  composed under pressure.

• Must have excellent written and verbal English language skills.

• Detail-oriented, strong organizational skills with a positive attitude, and a strong work ethic.

Working Conditions

• Must work onsite.

• Must be able to work weekends, some evenings, and some holidays.

• Must be able to lift, carry and/or move 50 lbs. regularly.

• Regularly required to stand, walk, bend, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and climb stairs.

• Must be able to work outdoors using the wood-fired pizza oven.

• Fast-paced, hospitality-driven environment centered around food, wine, and guest experience.

• Must wear appropriate kitchen attire with closed toe shoes.

This is a non-exempt position. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role. Actual placement within range will be contingent upon several factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s qualifications, education, experience, and alignment with market data.

Nostra Vita Family Winery is an Equal Opportunity Employer.