Sous Chef

Job Description

Job Description

Position Title: 

Sous Chef

Location: 

Apex, North Carolina (Local training program provided)

Company Overview:

At Tramonto Food Group, we embody a culture where amazing food meets exceptional service. We believe that dining is an immersive experience—savoring authentic flavors, appreciating the craft of scratch cooking, and creating lasting memories. For our brand-new, upscale casual Italian concept in Apex, Serafina Ristorante, we are building a dedicated, culture-driven culinary team. We offer an environment centered on work-life balance, structured operational systems, and uncapped financial growth.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a highly motivated, skilled, and disciplined Sous Chef to join our chef-driven, scratch-Italian kitchen. Operating as the right hand to the Executive Chef, the Sous Chef will lead back-of-house (BOH) operations by example, maintaining uncompromising standards for recipe execution, cleanliness, and team morale. This role requires a professional who thrives in a structured corporate environment but possesses the creative, agile problem-solving mindset of an independent restaurateur.

Key Responsibilities:

• Culinary Excellence: Oversee daily back-of-house operations, ensuring all scratch menu items are executed with strict adherence to recipes, portion controls, and plate presentations.

• Operational Leadership: Manage kitchen shifts effectively; step in to lead line production and expedite during peak volumes while maintaining a calm, composed demeanor.

• Financial & Inventory Controls: Execute bi-weekly inventory counts with team participation. Assist in managing food cost, labor percentages, ordering, and strategic receiving.

• Team Development: Train, coach, and mentor line cooks and prep staff. Assist with scheduling to optimize labor metrics while supporting a positive, status-quo-challenging BOH culture.

• Food Safety & Compliance: Maintain a pristine kitchen environment; ensure absolute compliance with health department regulations and food safety standards (ServSafe certification required).

• In-House Events: Support the execution of frequent in-house private events, such as rehearsal dinners and banquet gatherings.

Qualifications & Candidate Profile:

• Experience: Minimum of 2 years of consistent tenure as a Sous Chef within a high-volume, full-service upscale casual or fine dining environment.

• Culinary Background: Proven expertise in chef-driven, scratch-food concepts is required. Strong foundational knowledge or experience in premium Italian cuisine is highly preferred.

• Tenure Integrity: Minimal job changes over a 5-year period. Candidates must demonstrate stable career progression (stay-away backgrounds include contract food service, country clubs, and hotels).

• Systems & Mindset: A background operating within structured corporate systems paired with the innovative problem-solving capability of independent environments.

• Location: Local to the Apex/Cary/Raleigh market, or willing to relocate independently (no relocation assistance provided). Must be available for a local 45-day training program.

Appearance Standards:

• Professional Grooming: Beards must be close-groomed and no longer than 2 inches. Long hair must be pulled back and maintained in a natural color. Tattoos are acceptable (though polished casual presentation is required; no ties or jackets).

Compensation & Benefits:

• Base Salary: $55,000 – $65,000 (commensurate with experience)

• Bonus Structure: Lucrative 4-week profit-based bonus program, tiered by position and completely uncapped.

• Benefits: Comprehensive package starting April 2025 including Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance. 

• Paid Time Off: 2 weeks of starting PTO.

• Retirement: 401(k) program coming soon.

• • Growth: Significant career advancement potential with multiple new location openings actively planned.