We are seeking detail and quality oriented Full Time Gelato Chef(s)* to contribute to the gelato production of Tifa’s seasonal and signature small batch gelato flavors. The Gelato Chef(s) maintain quality, food safety standards, and support shop back of house operations as needed and assigned. The ideal candidate has hands-on food production experience either in gelato or in baking, a strong palate, and pride in presentation and consistency.
- Full Time Training-to-Hire
Selected candidates will participate in a paid minimum 30 day training and evaluation program conducted by our Head Gelato Chef, Operations Team Lead and Owner. Candidates who successfully complete the program, demonstrate strong technical skills, consistency and teamwork will be offered a regular part time position at 0-29 hours per week; consistent schedule as agreed upon by Gelato Chef and Owners.
Production
- Produce daily batches of gelato, sorbettos, and gelato-based specialties according to Tifa recipes and production schedules.
- Create limited-run flavors as assigned.
- Monitor and report accurate inventory, requesting and receiving necessary recipe ingredients in a consistent and timely manner.
- Handle all ingredients with care, minimizing waste and controlling costs.
- Maintain production records, yield reports, and recipe documentation.
Food Safety
- Operate, clean, and maintain gelato equipment with a high level of detail (batch freezers, pasteurizer, blast chiller, vitrines) and small kitchen appliances.
- Ensure strict food safety, sanitation, and allergen controls (FIFO, labeling, temperature logs).
Catering
- Package products for catering orders
- Assist with presentations for events.
Teamwork
- Support front of house staff with product knowledge as needed.
- Assist in development and facilitation of gelato related training.
Customer Experience
- Build excitement for gelato creation by being mindful and interacting with customers who are observing the process through the gelato kitchen window.
Qualifications
- Must be available for and complete all training scheduled.
- 2+ years of professional gelato/ice cream experience or baking experience with demonstrable work.
- Strong understanding of dairy chemistry, stabilizers/emulsifiers, sugar balance, overrun, and freezing points.
- Experience working with gelato and creating complementary flavors a plus.
- Food safety certification (ServSafe or local equivalent).
- Ability to follow and document recipes precisely and adapt formulations for scale.
- Physical ability to stand for long periods, lift up to ~50 lbs, and work in cold and hot environments.
- Excellent palate, creativity, attention to detail, and time-management skills.
- Strong communication and teamwork skills.
Desired attributes
- Passion for craft food, experimentation, and customer experience.
- Clean, organized, and safety-conscious work habits.
- Comfortable in a fast-paced retail environment and flexible with hours (including weekends/holidays).
- Basic math skills for scaling recipes and tracking yields.
Competitive hourly wage or salary (specify range) plus tips/bonuses where applicable.- Sick leave, and employee discount on products.
- Opportunity for professional growth, with potential path to Lead Gelato Chef
We started out as an online chocolate retailer, our journey led us to Agoura Hills, California, where we opened our doors to offer a cozy spot for our community to indulge in a wide variety of handcrafted gelato flavors, savor artisan chocolates, and enjoy the simple pleasure of good company.
From the early days of winning over high school students with authentic tastes to evolving into a franchise, Tifa Chocolate & Gelato remains committed to quality and community. We’re more than just a dessert shop; we’re a testament to the journey of a family that set out to share their love of fine chocolates and gelato with the world, fostering connections and crafting the best part of your day, one scoop at a time.
