PAGU is currently seeking an experienced chef de cuisine / executive chef to lead their culinary team.
About PAGU
PAGU is a Michelin awarded Japanese tapas restaurant led by three-time James Beard semifinalist Chef/Owner Tracy Chang, located between Central Square and MIT in Cambridge.
Our food celebrates local ingredients through Japanese and Spanish techniques, and our work extends beyond the dining room through cooking classes, events, and community partnerships. PAGU is a place for thoughtful hospitality, continuous learning, and meaningful collaboration.
We are building a company people are proud to work with, rooted in empathy, dedication and joy.
Our Values
At PAGU, we ask:
1. How do we better care for our team?
2. How do we better care for our guests?
3. How do we better care for our community?
These questions guide how we train, lead, and show up every day, from service standards to nonprofit collaborations and community events.
Selected Accolades
4. Michelin Bib Gourmand (2025)
5. Boston Magazine Top 50 Restaurants (2025)
6. Eater Boston: Best Private Dining Rooms (2025)
7. James Beard Foundation Semifinalist (2020, 2022, 2023)
8. StarChefs Rising Star Game Changer (2020)
Role Responsibilities
Team & Leadership
9. Training, coaching, and team development
10. Daily floor leadership and accountability
11. Scheduling
Operations
12. Opening/closing ability with heavy focus in service and closing
13. Inventory management and procurement
14. Managing service flow, expo, and private dining/events
15. Ensuring preparation is done ahead of time for all events needs both on site and off site
16. Maintaining aesthetics, ambiance, and standards
17. Maintaining quality of prep and service
18. Recycling, compost, trash
19. Equipment maintenance management
20. Cleaning and organization
21. Communications with FOH managers
Food & Product
22. Compliance with health and city regulations
23. Recipe knowledge, development, sourcing, costing, pricing
24. Allergy knowledge and ability to train others
25. Systems development in tools, resources and ongoing education of BOH, FOH to ensure continued compliance and excellence
Guest Relations & Community
26. Building lasting guest relationships
27. Managing guest databases and communications (Resy, Mailchimp, Tripleseat)
28. Community engagement and outreach
Administrative & Financial
29. Food costing, pricing
30. Food waste management
31. Managing labor hours, BOH team scheduling,
32. Managing product mix
33. Revenue tracking and sales goals (daily/weekly/monthly)
Systems & Tools
34. Google Suite, Toast, Resy, Tripleseat, Stripe, Shopify, DoorDash
Certifications
35. ServSafe
36. Choke Saver
Compensation/Benefits:
37. Salary depending on experience ($90k+) + bonus
38. 2 weeks paid vacation
39. Paid stages at other restaurants
Visit us:
310 Mass. Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02139
Get to us:
T: Central Square
T: Kendall Square
Bus: 1, 47, 77, 83, 91