Sushi Chef – Akiro Zürich (New Opening)
Location: Gartenstrasse 10, 8002 Zürich (Kreis 1)
Job Type: Full-time, permanent
Start Date: October/November 2026
About Akiro
Akiro is an acclaimed Nikkei-inspired restaurant group with established venues in Madrid and Barclona, now opening its first Swiss location in Zürich's Kreis 1 in autumn 2026. Our intimate venue is built around four sushi bars, where precision, flavor, and warm hospitality come together — and where our chefs work in full view of the guests they cook for.
We're looking for talented Sushi Chefs to join our opening team and bring Akiro's standard of perfection to Zürich.
The Role
Every dish that leaves your hands should represent Akiro's standard: flavor, precision, aesthetics, and emotion. Working at the sushi bar and in the kitchen under the guidance of our Head Chef, you'll execute the menu to exact standards, engage warmly with the guests seated in front of you, and grow your craft within an internationally expanding group.
Responsibilities
Craft & Execution
- Prepare dishes following exact recipes, weights, and presentation standards
- Execute clean, precise knife work: fish butchery, cuts, and plating
- Keep rice at the correct temperature and texture throughout service — the heart of everything we serve
- Maintain rigorous mise en place and production sheets, ready before every service
Service & Guest Interaction
- Work the sushi bar with a warm, engaging attitude toward the guests in front of you
- Keep pace with the rhythm of service, in sync with the pass and the floor
- Explain dishes and answer guest questions with confidence when the moment calls for it
Quality & Consistency
- Participate in internal tastings with the team and Head Chef to keep flavors consistent
- Check product quality at reception and flag anything below standard
- Handle premium fish and produce with the respect and care they deserve
Food Safety & Organization
- Follow the HACCP plan and hygiene best practices without exception
- Keep your station impeccable — clean as you go, always
- Stay current on allergen information and communicate it accurately
Team & Growth
- Contribute to a professional, respectful, and organized kitchen environment
- Support teammates across stations when service demands it
- Learn continuously — technique, product knowledge, sake and pairing basics — through regular training sessions
- Grow with us: we actively develop talent for future Akiro openings
What Makes a Great Akiro Chef
- Genuine love of the craft and pride in every plate
- Calm hands and a cool head during a full-house service
- Humility to learn, discipline to repeat, and ambition to improve
- Warmth — our sushi bars put you face to face with guests, and that's a feature, not a bug
Requirements
- Professional kitchen experience, ideally in Japanese cuisine, sushi, or a premium restaurant environment
- Solid knife skills; experience with fish butchery and sushi rice a strong plus (we will train motivated chefs)
- Working knowledge of food safety and hygiene standards
- Conversational English, German
- Based in Zürich or willing to relocate, available for an October/November 2026 start
- Valid Swiss work authorization or EU/EFTA citizenship
What We Offer
- The rare opportunity to be part of an opening team and shape a restaurant from day one
- Training and mentorship within an internationally growing group, including exposure to Executive Chef Luis Arévalo's kitchen philosophy
- Competitive salary aligned with Swiss hospitality standards
- Real development paths — including toward senior roles as Akiro expands
- A close-knit, professional, and passionate team
How to Apply: Please submit your CV and a short note telling us about a dish you're especially proud of.
Pay: CHF5’800.00 - CHF6’600.00 per month
Work Location: In person
