Pawn Shop Melrose LLC Sous Chef Los Angeles, CA · Full time Company website

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Welcome to PAWN SHOP — Los Angeles’ newest Sports Clubhouse, where sports, food, beverage, and hospitality come together to create unforgettable moments. We are building a TEAM and culture designed to elevate and redefine the sports dining experience. It’s almost showtime, and we’re assembling an All-Star roster of individuals who bring energy, positivity, and a commitment to excellence. Our ideal candidates are passionate about hospitality, thrive in a team environment, and take pride in delivering exceptional service while creating lasting memories. This is a unique opportunity to be part of the Opening TEAM that will introduce the Pawn Shop experience to Los Angeles and beyond. Located on the corner of Melrose & Cahuenga, Pawn Shop features a dynamic, multi-level space including a 120+ seat dining room, a 50+ seat bar, and a vibrant first-floor lounge. The second level offers seven private suites designed to replicate the comfort of a living room with the excitement of a live sporting event, along with a mezzanine lounge overlooking the action below. A large outdoor space will host events, watch parties and high-energy activations. Our culinary program is led by Tony Messina, recipient of the James Beard Awards Best Chef: Northeast (2019), bringing an elevated approach to classic sports bar and pub fare.

Sous Chef – Pawn Shop (Los Angeles)

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Position Type: Full-Time

Compensation: Salary (based on experience) + bonus potential

About Pawn Shop

Pawn Shop is an upscale sports bar built on a “high brow meets low brow” philosophy—refined food, high-energy environment, and a serious commitment to execution. The kitchen is led by Tony Messina, a James Beard Award winner.

This is a high-volume, systems-driven kitchen where consistency, organization, and accountability are non-negotiable.

The Role

We are looking for a Sous Chef who can run a shift, manage people, and uphold standards without compromise. This role is equal parts leadership and execution—you are expected to be on the line, in the prep, and in the details.

You should be comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment with multiple revenue streams (dining room, bar, events) and be able to keep the kitchen organized, efficient, and performing at a high level.

Core Responsibilities

Kitchen Leadership

- Lead and manage line cooks, prep cooks, and dish team during service

- Run shifts with clear communication and control of ticket flow

- Enforce standards for food quality, cleanliness, and organization

- Hold the team accountable—no shortcuts, no drop in execution

Execution & Service

- Work stations as needed and support all positions

- Ensure dishes are executed consistently and to spec

- Maintain speed without sacrificing quality

- Troubleshoot issues in real time during service

Prep & Production

- Oversee daily prep and pars to ensure readiness for service

- Maintain organization and labeling across all stations

- Minimize waste and control product usage

Systems & Operations

- Uphold all food safety, sanitation, and health department standards

- Assist with inventory, ordering, and receiving

- Maintain proper storage, rotation, and organization of all product

- Support implementation of SOPs and systems

Team Development

- Train and develop cooks to improve skill level and consistency

- Set the tone for professionalism, urgency, and respect in the kitchen

- Lead by example—work clean, work fast, stay composed

Qualifications

- 3–5+ years in a professional kitchen

- Prior leadership experience as a lead line cook or sous chef

- Strong technical foundation across multiple stations

- Proven ability to handle high-volume service

- Organized, detail-oriented, and systems-minded

- Clear communicator with strong presence on the line

- Professional attitude—accountable, consistent, no ego

What We Offer

- Competitive salary based on experience

- Bonus potential tied to performance

- A structured, high-performance kitchen environment

- Growth opportunity within an expanding concept

- Leadership role with real responsibility and impact

LINKS

WEBSITE

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