Field Sous Chef

Upper Crust Food Service • Bloomington, IN

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Field Sous Chef covers every house on campus — stepping in for chef absences, supporting big events, and learning every kitchen in the Upper Crust Food Service network. This role is designed for individuals seeking variety in their current work and aiming for future leadership opportunities. The promotion pathway is performance-driven, not based on tenure. Upper Crust Food Service is dedicated to creating connections and strengthening communities through fresh food and exceptional service across various dining programs.

Requirements

• Culinary degree or equivalent professional kitchen experience.
• 3+ years in a professional kitchen, including at least 1 year at the Sous Chef level.
• Demonstrated ability to execute another chef's menu to standard.
• ServSafe certification, or ability to obtain one within 60 days of employment.
• Flexibility to work across multiple kitchens on short notice, including early mornings, evenings, and occasional weekends.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to integrate quickly into established teams.
• Ability to travel reliably between houses on the assigned campus.

Nice To Haves

• High-volume residential, hospitality, or institutional experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Take daily assignments from the Area Manager or Ops Coordinator and lead service wherever needed.
• Execute the house's planned menu to standard when covering an absent Chef, managing prep, station setup, food safety, and day-of logistics.
• Rotate across all houses on campus, learning each kitchen's equipment, inventory, vendors, and service cadence.
• Provide pre-service prep support at high-volume houses on coverage-light days.
• Support new-house onboarding and execute special events, including philanthropies, recruitment events, and formal dinners.
• Complete structured shadow time with senior chefs and participate in semi-annual development reviews.
• Build a portfolio of menu concepts, costed recipes, and service plans toward independent menu ownership.

Benefits

• The promotion pathway is triggered by an opening, not a tenure clock.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree