Sous Chef

THINK FOOD GROUP LLC • Washington, DC

141d

About The Position

The Sous Chef is a hands-on kitchen leader who ensures daily prep, service, and sanitation meet JAG standards. You’ll run the line during assigned services, coach cooks, manage station pars and ticket flow, uphold food safety compliance, and support inventory and COGS discipline—partnering closely with the Chef de Cuisine/Executive Chef to deliver consistent quality, speed, and teamwork.

Requirements

• 3–5+ years of professional kitchen experience with 1–2+ years as a lead/strong line cook or Sous in upscale/casual-fine or fine dining.
• Advanced station skills (grill, sauté, fry, garde manger) and strong expo experience.
• Knowledge of HACCP/food safety; ServSafe Manager or equivalent (or ability to obtain).
• Proven ability to coach teams, stay organized under pressure, and communicate clearly.
• Familiarity with KDS/POS, inventory, and scheduling tools; Google Workspace comfort.
• Schedule flexibility (nights, weekends, holidays).

Responsibilities

• Lead line checks and pre-service tastings; calibrate seasoning, temperatures, texture, and plating to spec.
• Uphold standardized recipes/SOPs; communicate updates and spot-train on techniques in real time.
• Coach cooks on knife skills, fire management, station organization, and expo discipline.
• Own the pass or a key station during assigned services; protect window times and quality.
• Monitor KDS/printers; communicate pacing, 86s, and low pars to FOH leadership promptly.
• Drive immediate recovery for remakes and service issues, capture learnings in manager logs.
• Translate forecast into actionable prep lists; set station pars and adjust throughout the day.
• Verify labeling, dating, FIFO, and hold times; ensure accurate yields on batch production.
• Support menu changes/specials with mise en place, tastings, and training materials.
• Enforce DOH/HACCP: cooling logs, hot/cold holding, allergen/cross-contact protocols, and personal hygiene.
• Maintain cleaning schedules and equipment care; ensure safe chemical/PPE use.
• Prepare for inspections and correct violations immediately.
• Assist with ordering and receiving; verify quality/temperatures and proper storage by zone.
• Maintain inventory accuracy and waste logs; reinforce portioning and recipe adherence to meet COGS targets.
• Flag shortages and propose substitutions that protect quality and margin.
• Provide input on schedules to match volume and skill mix; manage breaks and deployment in shift.
• Cross-train team across stations to maintain coverage and growth opportunities.
• Ensure safe operation and daily maintenance of kitchen equipment (grills, fryers, ovens, slicers, immersion blenders).
• Filter fryers, clean hoods/filters per schedule; submit/track work orders and tag out unsafe equipment.
• Execute BEOs, PDR, and off-site activations to standard, on time and to cost.
• Support openings and seasonal transitions: hiring support, training, tastings, prep builds, and stabilization.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and performance-based bonus opportunities
• Comprehensive health & wellness benefits
• Retirement savings plans
• Employee dining discounts
• Professional growth in a values-driven, award-winning hospitality group

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level