Executive Sous Chef

Job Description

Job Description

Executive Sous Chef

Upscale/Fine Dining | Chicago, IL

Salary: $75,000 to $90,000 annually

An established upscale/fine-dining restaurant in Chicago is seeking an experienced Executive Sous Chef to join its culinary leadership team. This is an outstanding opportunity for a passionate chef with a strong background in Vietnamese and Southeast Asian cuisine who thrives in a fast-paced, high-volume environment and is committed to culinary excellence, team development, and exceptional guest experiences.

Working alongside the Executive Chef, you'll help oversee all kitchen operations while maintaining the highest standards of food quality, consistency, profitability, and sanitation.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily kitchen operations in a high-volume upscale/fine-dining environment.
• Execute authentic Vietnamese and Southeast Asian cuisine with exceptional quality and consistency.
• Assist with menu development, seasonal features, and special events.
• Manage food cost, labor, inventory, purchasing, and kitchen productivity.
• Utilize Restaurant365 or similar restaurant management software.
• Recruit, train, coach, and mentor culinary team members.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, sanitation, and health department standards.
• Partner with front-of-house leadership to deliver seamless service and outstanding guest experiences.
• Lead by example during busy service periods with professionalism, urgency, and attention to detail.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of Executive Sous Chef or Senior Sous Chef experience in an upscale/fine-dining restaurant.
• Strong knowledge of Vietnamese and Southeast Asian cuisine and cooking techniques.
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing culinary teams.
• Experience managing food cost, labor, inventory, and purchasing.
• Restaurant365 or similar inventory management software experience preferred.
• Food Safety Manager Certification.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Preferred

• Previous experience with Vietnamese or Southeast Asian cuisine.
• Experience opening new restaurants or leading major culinary transitions.
• Culinary degree or formal culinary training.
• Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.

Compensation & Benefits

• $75,000 to $90,000 annual salary
• Performance-based bonus opportunity
• Comprehensive health benefits
• Paid time off
• Opportunities for career growth and advancement
• Collaborative, team-oriented work environment

If you're a hands-on culinary leader with a passion for authentic Southeast Asian cuisine and are ready to make an impact in an upscale/fine-dining kitchen, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today to be considered for this Executive Sous Chef opportunity in Chicago, IL.

The Restaurant Zone is a leading hospitality recruitment agency specializing in connecting top-tier talent with restaurants, hotels, and hospitality groups across the United States. We partner with growing brands and established operators to deliver high-quality candidates for management, executive, and specialized roles. Our team combines industry expertise, a vast candidate network, and a results-driven approach to help businesses build strong, reliable teams. At The Restaurant Zone, we focus on speed, quality, and long-term fit—ensuring both clients and candidates succeed.

Company Description

The Restaurant Zone is a leading hospitality recruitment agency specializing in connecting top-tier talent with restaurants, hotels, and hospitality groups across the United States. We partner with growing brands and established operators to deliver high-quality candidates for management, executive, and specialized roles. Our team combines industry expertise, a vast candidate network, and a results-driven approach to help businesses build strong, reliable teams. At The Restaurant Zone, we focus on speed, quality, and long-term fit—ensuring both clients and candidates succeed.