Sous Chef

Sous Chef | Historic Hotel Culinary Leadership

Location: Shenandoah Valley, VA


Compensation: up to $60,000 Base Salary + Comprehensive Benefits

About the Opportunity


Gecko Hospitality is proud to partner with an award-winning, historic hotel in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley to identify an experienced, hands-on Sous Chef to join its culinary leadership team.

This is an exciting opportunity for a talented culinary professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys leading a team, creating exceptional food, and delivering memorable dining experiences. The Sous Chef plays a key role in supporting restaurant operations, banquets, weddings, meetings, and special events at one of the region's most recognized hospitality destinations.

The ideal candidate is more than a great cook. They are a leader, teacher, problem-solver, and team player who takes pride in quality, consistency, presentation, and developing others.

Position Overview


Working closely with the Executive Chef, the Sous Chef will help lead all aspects of daily culinary operations, including restaurant service, banquets, catering, weddings, and special events. This role blends hands-on execution with leadership responsibility, offering the opportunity to influence menu direction while helping build consistency across the team, at a property with a strong, longstanding commitment to hospitality.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead by example and maintain the highest standards of professionalism, teamwork, and guest service
• Participate in and oversee daily restaurant and banquet culinary operations
• Prepare and supervise the production of high-quality food with a focus on consistency, flavor, presentation, and proper portioning
• Work hands-on alongside the culinary team during service and special events
• Taste and inspect food to ensure proper quality, temperature, and presentation before it reaches guests
• Train, coach, and develop kitchen team members while creating a positive and productive work environment
• Assist with scheduling, performance evaluations, and recognizing team accomplishments
• Ensure recipes, preparation methods, and portion standards are consistently followed
• Partner with the Executive Chef and Outlet Managers to plan for daily business levels, group functions, and special events
• Assist with menu execution and regularly review recipes and food costs to support quality and profitability
• Monitor inventory levels and assist with ordering, receiving, and proper storage of food and supplies
• Ensure all kitchen team members follow proper sanitation, food safety, and hygiene standards
• Maintain compliance with all federal, state, local, and company health and safety regulations

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Sous Chef, Lead Cook, or other culinary leadership role
• Experience in a hotel, upscale restaurant, catering, banquet, or high-volume food service environment strongly preferred
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to train, coach, and motivate a diverse culinary team
• A genuine passion for food, quality ingredients, and exceptional presentation
• Strong knowledge of cooking techniques, food preparation, portion control, and kitchen operations
• Experience with banquet production and catering highly desirable
• Knowledge of inventory control, ordering, receiving, and food cost management
• Thorough understanding of food safety, sanitation, and proper food handling procedures
• Ability to remain calm, organized, and effective in a fast-paced environment
• A culinary degree or professional certification preferred but not required for candidates with strong, relevant experience
• Flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed

Compensation & Benefits

• up to $60,000 annual base salary
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Long-term growth potential within a respected, award-winning hospitality organization

About Gecko Hospitality


Gecko Hospitality is a leading executive search and recruitment firm specializing in the hospitality industry. Andy Bhikhari, Carolina Bhikhari, and Kelsey Jones connect top hospitality professionals with hotels, resorts, private clubs, and other upscale hospitality operations throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply today for confidential consideration.