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Sous Chef | Elevated Italian Concept | Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL
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Position: Sous Chef

Compensation: $65,000–$80,000 base salary plus 20% bonus potential

Schedule: Full-time | Evening, weekend, and holiday availability required

Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package including bonus opportunities, health coverage, paid time off, dining perks, and commuter benefits


Role Summary:

We are conducting a confidential search for a talented and driven Sous Chef to support the culinary operations of a highly anticipated, chef-driven neighborhood restaurant concept.


This role works closely with executive culinary leadership to deliver elevated cuisine, maintain operational excellence, and foster a collaborative, high-performing kitchen culture. The Sous Chef will play a critical role in daily service execution, team development, inventory management, and maintaining the consistency and standards expected within a polished, high-volume environment.


The ideal candidate is a hands-on culinary leader with strong operational instincts, a passion for hospitality, and experience working within refined, detail-oriented kitchens.


What you bring to the table:

  • Strong ability to lead line operations while maintaining consistency, urgency, and attention to detail during service
  • Experience supporting hiring, onboarding, scheduling, and development of back-of-house team members
  • Hands-on leadership style with the ability to train, mentor, and motivate culinary teams
  • Strong understanding of food quality, presentation standards, recipe consistency, and execution
  • Experience monitoring labor costs, inventory levels, ordering, and waste reduction initiatives
  • Ability to maintain high standards of sanitation, cleanliness, and kitchen safety compliance
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across BOH and FOH teams
  • Experience conducting pre-shift meetings, managing service flow, and supporting operational planning
  • Knowledge of food and labor costing, budgeting, and kitchen administrative functions
  • Comfort operating in a fast-paced, high-expectation culinary environment


Why you’ll love working here:

  • Opportunity to be part of a chef-driven, growth-oriented restaurant concept
  • Collaborative and hospitality-focused culture that values creativity, teamwork, and professional development
  • Quarterly and annual bonus opportunities
  • Dining discounts and monthly cell phone reimbursement
  • Paid vacation, sick leave, and parental leave benefits
  • Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage
  • Commuter and additional lifestyle perks
  • Opportunity to work alongside respected culinary leadership within a polished, high-energy environment


Required Work Experience:

  • Minimum 2 years of experience in a culinary leadership or kitchen supervisory role
  • Experience in high-volume, full-service restaurant environments
  • Strong working knowledge of kitchen operations, food costing, labor management, and inventory control
  • Prior experience training and developing culinary staff
  • Familiarity with kitchen systems, equipment operations, and basic administrative functions


Preferred Work Experience:

  • Background in elevated or chef-driven restaurant concepts
  • Experience supporting ordering, vendor relationships, and operational process improvement
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and restaurant POS systems
  • Food safety and sanitation certifications preferred


Personal Qualities:

  • Passionate culinary professional with a strong sense of urgency and accountability
  • Collaborative, team-oriented, and solutions-driven leadership style
  • Organized and detail-focused with the ability to multitask effectively
  • Calm and composed under pressure in fast-paced service environments
  • Motivated to grow professionally within a dynamic hospitality organization
  • Hospitality-minded leader who values consistency, mentorship, and operational excellence


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