Chef / cook (m/f)

Zoku, which is Japanese for family, tribe or clan, facilitates global living and working for the traveling professional. Zoku is a new category in the hotel industry: a flexible home/office hybrid, also suitable for long stays, with the services of a hotel and the social buzz of a thriving neighbourhood. You can live, work, relax and socialize with like-minded people – while getting wired into the city. 

Zoku still feels very much like the high-energy and ambitious entrepreneurial start-up from its early beginnings; yet, it also benefits from strong financial backing and a professional set-up to “make it big”. Zoku is created by a small team of highly enthusiastic and engaged individuals who bring on board bags of enthusiasm and gumption. It describes itself as “a sprawling family thanks to an amazing group of people who have supported the company over the last few years”. 

After opening the first Zoku in Amsterdam in 2016, the team started the European expansion and has now several deals in the pipeline to open in 2021 and beyond.

Further information on Zoku can be found at www.livezoku.com, as well as by browsing its various social media platforms (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Youtube).

It is also noteworthy to mention that Zoku became B-corp certified in August 2018. On its website, under the ‘Green Zoku’ page you can find an overview of Zoku’s social and sustainable responsibilities as well as its impact vision, i.e. the ‘why’ as it pertains to how we believe we can make a difference 

Life doesn’t become more social than through sharing food. That’s our founding food philosophy. The food that comes out the Living Kitchen is fresh, simple, honest, healthy and local where possible. With short-end preparation times, simple ingredients and limited preparation steps, the assortment is intelligent, and service is fast. Reflecting the belief that we are what we eat, our kitchen aims to physically energize, appeal to the senses and nourish the soul. Our food is served on long communal tables – ideal for salt passing and idea swapping*.

The Chef’s main responsibility is to ensure that any food that comes out of the Living Kitchen is cooked well and presented in a beautiful way. All in line with Zoku’s food philosophy. Furthermore, you’ll be working closely together with the Head Chef and the rest of the kitchen team, each Chef runs the kitchen by him or herself during a shift. You will need to be a multitasking octopus, chatting with the residents and guests and managing the kitchen all at the same time.

We are looking for someone who really understands Zoku’s food philosophy and is a true food artist – also in the visual sense. Who loves plating beautiful dishes and who makes creative buffets that not only look good, but also taste amazing. As you are cooking in an open, residential kitchen we need someone who loves chatting to the guests, while cooking up a storm.

We will be opening our third location in Vienna, Austria, in, Q1 2021. Located in the central Second District of Leopoldstadt, Zoku Vienna will be close to the Vienna University of Economics and Business, the Messe Wien Conference Center, and the iconic Prater park.

The Chef forms a close team with the Head Chef, other Chefs, F&B Sidekick and Kitchen Helper and reports directly to the Head Chef.

* Please note we have temporarily altered our concept due to the current Covid-19 situation, however we will always make sure it remains “Zoku” where connecting to our residents is still one of our main features.

Next to cooking up a storm and plating dishes that taste amazing & look beautiful, this position also focuses on other areas within the Living Kitchen:

• Ensure proper preparation of all food to be served
• Prepare the kitchen before meal periods
• Cook, converse and connect with guests
• Get creative with plating. You’ll create amazing looking buffets and dishes (think Ottolenghi, we love him)
• Maintain a clean kitchen at all times
• Work in a safe and efficient manner
• Plan and execute orders of ingredients and needed equipment
• Think along with the Head Chef when creating and testing seasonal menu cycles in line with Zoku’s food philosophy
• Support the Head Chef by continuously improving and updating Zoku’s F&B offering, and processes based on guest reviews, data and F&B trends
• Arrange for repairs when necessary
• Comply with HACCP regulations and safety standards
• Assist Head Chef with large projects when requested

• Have experience in healthy homestyle cooking – vegan skills are a plus
• Have a hands-on and pro-active mentality
• Are forward thinkers, creative and curious about exploring new flavors and cultures
• Strive for the best: product, service and personal growth
• Can handle the heat of the kitchen and keep a cool head even during busy moments
• Operate a clean, organized kitchen that is happily handed over to the next Chef

MUST HAVES

• Have a minimum of 2 years working experience in a Chef position
• You are fluent in English, German and/or other languages are a plus
• You are an EU resident or you have a valid working and living permit for Austria
• You are fully flexible/no fixed working days/hours
• You have a social hygiene certificate
• You have provable knowledge of cooking techniques
• You have experience with implementing the local HACCP guidelines

• A market conform salary, in accordance with experience and know-how (minimum of € 1.930 gross per month based on full time)
• Full time (40 hours) position at “One of the 25 Coolest Hotels in the World” according to Forbes
• 25 vacation days to relax and unwind based on full time (40 hours)
• A cool comfy uniform – no more looking like a log!
• Exciting on-the-job training opportunities
• Cool Benefits