Sous Chef

Compass Group • Chicago, IL

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Restaurant Associates is seeking a hands-on, service-driven Closing Sous Chef to support culinary operations in a premier corporate dining environment in Chicago, Illinois. The role leads daily kitchen production and closing procedures while maintaining high standards for food quality, presentation, sanitation, safety, and operational excellence. The Sous Chef supervises and mentors the culinary team, coordinates food production, and ensures the kitchen is organized and prepared for the next day’s service. This position works with culinary and operations leadership to deliver an elevated dining experience aligned with client expectations and may provide hands-on culinary leadership for evening receptions and client events.

The schedule is Monday through Friday, typically 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with flexibility to support occasional evening receptions. The stated salary range is $65,000–$70,000, with a comprehensive benefits package.

Requirements

• Previous experience as a Sous Chef, Lead Cook, Kitchen Supervisor, or in a similar culinary leadership role in a high-volume setting.
• Strong knowledge of culinary production, food safety, sanitation, portion control, and presentation standards.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, train, and motivate a culinary team.
• Ability to work Monday through Friday, typically 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., with flexibility to support occasional evening receptions.
• Comfort performing hands-on culinary, operational, and closing responsibilities.
• Excellent communication, organization, time-management, and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to exceptional service and consistently exceeding client and guest expectations.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in corporate dining, upscale hospitality, fine dining, catering, or high-end foodservice.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and support cooks and kitchen associates in daily culinary operations.
• Assist with interviewing, scheduling, training, performance feedback, and employee development.
• Prepare and oversee food production in accordance with approved recipes, menus, presentation standards, and service timelines.
• Partner with culinary and operations leadership to deliver a dining experience aligned with client expectations.
• Ensure portion control, food presentation, product quality, and safe serving temperatures.
• Manage daily closing procedures, including kitchen sanitation, equipment checks, product storage, inventory review, and securing the operation.
• Organize and prepare kitchen and culinary areas for the following day’s service.
• Monitor food usage, waste, inventory levels, and product quality; assist with requisitioning and purchasing as needed.
• Receive and inspect deliveries for accuracy, quality, freshness, and quantity.
• Maintain compliance with food safety, sanitation, HACCP, and workplace safety standards.
• Keep workstations, service areas, equipment, utensils, and storage areas clean and presentation-ready.
• Support the development, testing, and execution of seasonal menus, culinary programs, and special-event offerings.
• Provide culinary leadership and hands-on support for evening receptions and client events as needed.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Holiday time off (varies by site and state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet insurance
• Commuter benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Personal Leave
• Potential eligibility for paid and/or unpaid time-off benefits in accordance with applicable laws

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed