What does a Sushi Chef do?

A Sushi Chef allows restaurants and other venues to serve delicious, attractive dishes to customers. By developing innovative menus, they help attract customers and allow establishments to stand out among the competition in their areas. When they adhere to health and hygiene standards, a Sushi Chef helps to ensure the safety of patrons and staff, and the proficient execution of their job duties ensures that restaurant patrons receive meals promptly, positively impacting customer satisfaction. 

The inventory control duties of a Sushi Chef can reduce food waste and costs for their employer as well. Overall, a successful Sushi Chef can help a restaurant become more profitable.

Sushi Chef skills and qualifications

To perform their job duties proficiently, a Sushi Chef needs specific skills. Some qualifications to include in your Sushi Chef job description include:

• Creative thinking skills to devise unique dishes

• Extensive knowledge of traditional Japanese cuisine

• Ability to remain upright for the majority of working hours

• Knifework and plating skills to prepare aesthetically pleasing meals

• Strong verbal communication skills to give directions to assistants and interact positively with the rest of the team

• Teamwork skills to collaborate with kitchen helpers, waitstaff and other coworkers

• Computer skills to use inventory management and point-of-sale software

• Time management skills to ensure that prep work is complete before the start of service and orders are executed promptly

Sushi Chef experience requirements

To work as the main Sushi Chef for a restaurant or other venue, a candidate will typically need several years of experience, training and apprenticeship. If you already have a seasoned Sushi Chef on your team, you may prefer to hire an entry-level candidate with little or no experience to work as a kitchen assistant or intern. 

Sushi Chef education and training requirements

Most Sushi Chefs develop skills through apprenticeship programs rather than through educational programs. However, fine dining establishments may prefer to hire candidates who have completed a Chef training program. The majority of these post-secondary programs award an associate degree, but some grant certificates or bachelor’s degrees.

In many states, people who handle food in restaurants must complete an approved course in food safety offered by an organization like the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA). Although courses usually take only a few hours and can be completed after hiring, you may wish to prioritize candidates who already hold the credentials required in your area.

Sushi Chef salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Sushi Chef is $82,595 per year. Actual pay rates vary based on geographic location and the education, training, experience and certification status of new hires.

Job description samples for similar positions

If this Sushi Chef job description isn’t an exact match for your open position, check out these related job titles.

• Chef

• Kitchen Manager

• Restaurant Manager

• Prep Cook

Sushi Chef job description FAQs

What is the difference between a Sushi Chef and a Poissoner?

A Poissonier is a Chef who prepares seafood and fish dishes in a kitchen. In some cases, a Poissonier may be responsible for making food inspired by Japanese cuisine, such as maki rolls. However, they usually focus on other preparations, such as grilling, frying and broiling. A Sushi Chef typically strictly prepares sushi, sashimi and related dishes using traditional Japanese techniques.

What qualities make for a good Sushi Chef?

Above all, a good Sushi Chef will have a true passion for food and take personal satisfaction from serving customers. People who enjoy meticulous, fine-detail work may excel in the field, and a personal interest in art and design can help inspire creative presentations. Emotional resilience and the ability to work under pressure can also be beneficial during peak dining hours when a Sushi Chef may need to work on many orders simultaneously.

Who does a Sushi Chef report to?

Who a Sushi Chef reports to depends on the size and organizational structure of a restaurant. At a small establishment, the Sushi Chef may report directly to the owner or the Restaurant Manager. Larger restaurants may have a Kitchen Manager who serves as the immediate supervisor for the Sushi Chef, or a Head Chef or Executive Chef may directly supervise a Sushi Chef.