Kitchen Manager

Position: Kitchen Manager

About Safta's Table:

Safta's Table, opening in early 2026, is a casual, all-day café located in Lakeview, New Orleans. Offering counter service, family-style meals to-go, and many of the comforting dishes guests have come to love from Safta and Saba, Safta's Table is designed to feel like your grandmother's kitchen: warm, familiar, and welcoming.
Celebrating approachable, soulful food and a relaxed experience, Safta's Table will be a place where guests can stop in for a quick bite, pick up dinner to enjoy at home, or settle in for a casual meal with loved ones in a cozy, inviting space.

Our Mission & Core Values

At Safta's Table, we strive to create a space where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and valued. Our mission is to foster an environment rooted in love, mutual respect, and equality—where both guests and team members feel at home.

Our core values guide how we work and who we are. We believe in continuous learning, treating everyone with fairness and respect, and empowering each other to grow. We show up reliably, communicate clearly, and bring passion to our craft. With a positive, supportive approach, we create a workplace and guest experience grounded in warmth, excellence, and genuine hospitality.

Job Overview:

The Kitchen Manager at Safta's Table is responsible for expertly executing and maintaining exceptional back-of-house operations that reflect our brand's identity and culinary excellence. While culinary direction, recipes, and systems originate from the Pomegranate Hospitality culinary team, this role ensures consistent, high-quality execution from preparation to final plating. The Kitchen Manager oversees day-to-day kitchen operations, upholding standards, ensuring accuracy in recipe and system execution, and delivering a guest experience aligned with the restaurant's vision. Collaboration with the General Manager and Culinary Director is essential to maintaining hospitality, consistency, and the integrity of Pomegranate's culture and values in every product, process, and interaction.
Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee all kitchen operations, ensuring recipes, techniques, and plating standards established by the PH team are consistently executed.
• Maintain the highest levels of food quality, presentation, and safety throughout all stages of preparation and service.
• Manage prep and production schedules to ensure smooth kitchen flow and timely service execution.
• Monitor inventory, ordering, and cost controls to achieve budgeted food and labor targets while minimizing waste.
• Lead, train, and support kitchen team members, fostering a culture of respect, collaboration, and accountability.
• Conduct regular line checks, tastings, and quality audits to ensure menu consistency and operational readiness.
• Ensure compliance with all sanitation, health, and safety standards, maintaining a clean and organized kitchen at all times.
• Partner with leadership to plan and execute seasonal features, events, and menu rollouts provided by the PH team.
• Provide constructive feedback to the PH team to improve systems, efficiency, and product quality.
• Uphold and model Pomegranate Hospitality's core values in every decision and interaction.

Experience/Skills:

• Degree or certification in Culinary Arts preferred; equivalent professional experience will be considered.
• 2-3 years of culinary experience in a high-volume or quick service restaurant. 
• Proven ability to work independently, demonstrating initiative, time management, and strong organizational skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to quality and consistency.
• A creative mindset with the ability to balance innovation and guest approachability.
• Knowledge of ordering, inventory control, and cost management.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and adapt to shifting priorities.
• Proficiency in basic PC applications (Word, Excel); experience with Toast or similar systems is an asset.

Physical Requirements:

• Standing for extended periods, often for the entire shift.
• Lifting and carrying items up to 25 pounds.
• Reaching, bending, and stooping to perform tasks around the bar area.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with a high level of activity.

Joining the Safta's table team means becoming part of a family that is passionate about food, culture, and creating memorable experiences for our guests. If you share our values and are excited to contribute to a dynamic and supportive team, we invite you to apply and be a part of our story.