Sous Chef- Chicago

LEGAL SEA FOODS • Chicago, IL

21d • $70,000 - $75,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Legal Sea Foods is hiring a Sous Chef to lead Heart of House operations in its Chicago restaurant. The Sous Chef takes ownership of the shift by guiding the kitchen team, maintaining food and allergy standards, and making operational decisions that support consistent service. The role leads kitchen operations, including when the Executive Chef or Executive Sous Chef is away, and balances team development, service execution, safety, and cost control.

Requirements

• 3–5 years of experience in professional kitchens, including at least 1 year as a Sous Chef or in a comparable kitchen leadership role.
• Experience leading cooks through busy service and making sound decisions without constant direction.
• A record of developing people, maintaining high standards, and managing food and labor costs.
• High school diploma.
• ServSafe Food and Alcohol certification.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook.

Nice To Haves

• A culinary degree or certificate.

Responsibilities

• Lead Heart of House operations and direct the kitchen team, including when the Executive Chef or Executive Sous Chef is away.
• Coach, train, schedule, and evaluate cooks and other assigned team members; address performance issues and help build a strong bench.
• Run service with attention to recipe execution, approved products, plate quality, timing, and guest concerns.
• Enforce food safety, sanitation, allergy, and workplace safety standards every shift.
• Control food and labor costs through staffing decisions, receiving, inventory, ordering, and follow-up on variances.
• Use scheduling, inventory, labor, hiring, and other restaurant systems to keep the operation organized and accountable.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and performance-based incentives.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage, with health savings options.
• 401(k) with company match opportunities.
• Paid time off and wellness programs.
• Structured manager training and ongoing development, with paths for advancement.
• More than half of managers have been promoted from within.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED