Associate Chef

Sweetgreen is a national restaurant brand revolutionizing fast food by connecting people to fresh, real food and fostering healthier communities. Established in 2007, Sweetgreen is rooted in sustainable and community-focused practices, emphasizing relationships with farmers and the use of fresh ingredients.

This fast-casual restaurant chain stands out by transforming the conventional approach to fast food, offering flavorful, nutritious meals prepared with care and precision. The company prides itself on creating an inclusive workplace where all employees have the opportunity to grow, develop new skills, and be part of a meaningful movement towards healthier living.

Sweetgreen not only values food quality but also champions equity, diversity, and inclusion across its workforce and the communities it serves. Its innovative kitchen designs emphasize smart systems over traditional cooking methods, using no grills or fryers, which aligns with its commitment to clean and real food.

The Culinary Lead (known at Sweetgreen as the Kitchen Lead) plays a pivotal role as the expert of food quality in the kitchen. This position is vital to maintaining the high standards Sweetgreen is known for, owning the entire process of food preparation, cooking, and presentation.

Unlike conventional roles, this position is not a people-manager role; it focuses on leading by example through craftsmanship, coaching, and consistency in food execution rather than scheduling or conducting performance reviews.

The Culinary Lead is the go-to person for quality control during every shift, serving as the advocate for exceptional food standards and operational excellence without running the shift alone.

Sweetgreen’s kitchen environment is unique, avoiding traditional cooking methods such as grilling or frying. Instead, Culinary Leads use knives, kitchen tools, and ovens to prepare hot food items with precision. This role demands a deep commitment to food safety, cleanliness, and consistent quality.

Culinary Leads also support their teammates by providing real-time feedback and training to improve food execution and embrace new menu launches. The position offers a clear career path, as top-performing Kitchen Leads can progress to General Manager roles within 2-3 years, making it an excellent opportunity for those seeking leadership responsibilities without full people management duties.

The role requires candidates to have experience working in high-volume kitchens, including fast casual, quick service restaurants (QSR), full-service dining, or corporate dining environments. Candidates should love working in a kitchen, take pride in quality and consistency, and have a keen eye for detail and food safety standards.

This role is available as part-time or full-time, with a minimum availability of 30 hours per week, providing competitive wages and various benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, and a 401(k) plan.

Culinary Leads also receive perks such as free meals during shifts, opportunities to earn tips (depending on location), and access to the Team Member Merch Shop where employees can earn and purchase custom brand gear.

Sweetgreen is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a welcoming environment that respects and values diverse backgrounds and perspectives. The company complies with all federal, state, and local laws regarding employment and provides accommodations as needed.

Joining Sweetgreen means investing in a healthier future not only for yourself but also for the communities served by this pioneering restaurant brand.