Sous Chef

“Invest yourself in everything you do. There’s fun in being serious.” – Wynton MarsalisRole Summary

Nocturne and La Vie En Rose share a kitchen, a culinary team, and a single standard of excellence. We are seeking a Sous Chef who embodies leadership, discipline, and creativity in equal measure. This role is ideal someone who thrives on the line while mentoring others, and who approaches fine dining with precision and care.

This position works alongside the Executive Chef to lead the culinary team in preparing, setting up, and executing nightly service across both venues. You will assist with menu development, kitchen efficiency, quality control, health and safety, and the continuous coaching, mentoring, and skill development of the full culinary team. This is a leadership role for a chef with strong technical ability, a love of ingredients, fine dining sensibility, and a commitment to elevating the experience for guests and team members alike.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily culinary operations across Nocturne and La Vie En Rose, including food preparation, butchery, cooking, and plating.
• Ensure consistency and excellence in a fine dining kitchen, with an emphasis on quality ingredients, detailed plating, and good pace.
• Conduct daily line checks, tastings, and equipment readiness to guarantee consistency across both venues.
• Supervise nightly service, troubleshoot issues in real time, and ensure smooth execution.
• Write and oversee prep lists, family meal, nightly specials, and amuse-bouche.
• Collaborate with ownership, the Executive Chef, and Kitchen Manager on menu development, R&D, costing, and recipe documentation for both concepts.
• Mentor and train line cooks in culinary skills, teamwork, and professional growth.
• Support inventory management, ordering, vendor relationships, and walk-in organization, using inventory management systems and Google Sheets for tracking.
• Uphold health, sanitation, and safety standards exceeding Colorado and Denver regulations.
• Assist with scheduling to align labor hours with revenue goals across both venues.
• Support offsite events and special projects as needed.
• Maintain a professional, calm, and detail-focused presence in a high-energy environment.
• Uphold guest satisfaction by responding to requests with flexibility and professionalism.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years in a leadership kitchen role (Sous Chef or equivalent).
• Experience in fine dining and/or tasting menu restaurants required.
• Strong leadership skills with a proven ability to mentor and inspire teams.
• Advanced knife skills, food preparation, butchery, and plating expertise.
• Proficiency with Google Sheets and inventory management systems (e.g., Craftable or comparable platforms).
• ServSafe Manager Certification required; candidates without current certification must be able to obtain it within the first 60 days of employment.
• High attention to detail and consistency under pressure.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs and perform in a physically demanding kitchen environment.
• High school diploma or GED required; culinary degree preferred.

Preferred, but Not Required

• Knowledge of wine, spirits, and pairing.
• Appreciation for live music and the performing arts.
• Appreciation for French cuisine and technique.

Environment & Schedule

• Physically demanding: prolonged standing, lifting, and moving in a high-energy kitchen.
• Collaborative atmosphere with strong FOH/BOH communication across both Nocturne and La Vie En Rose.
• Full-time, salaried, exempt role, primarily evenings Wednesday–Sunday, with closing responsibilities.
• Most weeks require approximately 45–50 hours to fulfill the leadership and service demands of the role; this expectation is consistent with the duties of a salaried exempt position under Colorado law.
• Occasional daytime or offsite events as needed.

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual salary: $60,000–$72,000, depending on experience.
• Quarterly performance bonus opportunity.
• Clear path for professional growth within the culinary leadership of Nocturne and La Vie En Rose.
• Health, vision, and dental insurance (eligible after 60 days).
• 401(k) retirement plan (eligible after 6 months).
• Unlimited time off, per company policy.
• Dining discounts at Nocturne and La Vie En Rose.
• Monthly wellness reimbursement.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, financial, and legal support.

How to Apply

Apply online at nocturnejazz.com/careers or through our Culinary Agents job posting. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Internal Candidates

Current Nocturne and La Vie En Rose team members are welcome and encouraged to apply. To be considered, internal applicants must be performing their current role at an exemplary level and must not have received a written warning within the previous 6 months of employment.