Chef at Cafe Cubanos (Japan!)

🍽 Opportunity Cafe Cubanos is the kind of mountain café that runs on early powder-day coffees and its signature Cuban sandwich, "the Cubanos." It's hiring a chef for the 2026/27 winter season in Niseko or Hakuba. The job covers the sandwich and burrito line and, just as importantly, the cake cabinet: sweets baked every day plus decorated cakes for birthdays and celebrations. It suits a senior cook who wants a smaller, calmer kitchen, a real say in the baking menu and plenty of time on the mountain. 👨‍🍳 Role & Responsibilities Prep all sandwich and burrito ingredients, including for the flagship Cubanos Bake cakes and sweet treats daily Bake and decorate cakes for birthdays and other occasions when needed Work with the BOH Manager on stock levels, prep lists and hygiene Help develop the baked goods selection and wider café menu Keep food safety standards tight at all times 🌎 ChefJobs Abroad Analysis Both resorts are big names on the international ski circuit. Niseko in Hokkaido is famous for deep, dry powder under Mt Yotei, and Hakuba in the Northern Japan Alps has a huge spread of terrain across its valley. Either way you're in a busy, English-friendly ski town full of seasonal workers from around the world. This role stands out because it's a café job that asks for head chef or sous chef experience. You'd carry more responsibility than a typical seasonal cook, but on café hours with a small menu rather than a restaurant line, which leaves real time to ride. Baking is at the heart of the job, so it best suits a chef who's happy baking carrot cake and brownies in the morning and prepping sandwiches after. Subsidised housing and a fixed December-to-April season make planning easy, but pay is unconfirmed, so check it before you commit. ✅ Best Fit Ideal for chefs who: Have sous or head chef experience and want a lighter, café-scale season Enjoy Western-style baking and can decorate a celebration cake to a high standard Want a hand in shaping a café's baked goods and menu, not just follow a recipe card Can handle prep on their own and also plan stock and hygiene with a BOH Manager Want to snowboard or ski often and can commit to the full season Hold a passport that makes them eligible for Japan's Working Holiday Visa Not a fit for: chefs chasing fine dining or a big brigade, or anyone who can't stay until mid-April.