Sous Chef Elevated Italian Concept Chicago, IL

Job Description

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

Full-time