Cruise Ship Kitchen Lead – Executive Sous Chef

American Cruise Lines; Haines (AK); On-site; USD 65,000 - 96,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision

401(k) with match

Travel and room covered

Job summary

American Cruise Lines, the largest cruise line operating exclusively within the United States, seeks Executive Sous Chefs for the 2026 season aboard our modern riverboats and paddlewheelers carrying up to 200 guests.

As part of the culinary team, you will craft diversified menus with fresh ingredients, prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner for crew and guests, and ensure food safety and dietary requests are met in a fast-paced onboard environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of culinary experience in full-service resort, hotel, or cruise ship.
• ServSafe Manager Certification strongly preferred.
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
• Familiar with food safety standards.
• Must be able to multi-task, take direction, and be a team player.
• Ability to work with composure under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with the Executive Chef to produce diversified menus for our guests using fresh ingredients.
• Produce a daily variety of healthy, delicious, and nutritious buffet-style crew meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, maintaining high crew satisfaction.
• Regularly check-in with the ship’s crew regarding the overall satisfaction of the meals provided.
• Organize the work in the kitchen so that kitchen processes run efficiently.
• Produce high quality guest dishes that follow the established menu choices.
• Adhere to all guest and crew dietary requests and restrictions.
• Maintain order and discipline in the kitchen during work hours.
• Make sure that the hygiene and food safety standards are placed as a top priority throughout all stages of food preparation.
• Ensure that all meals are prepared as quickly and deliciously as possible.
• Enforce food and safety standards.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Menu planning

Food safety

Team collaboration

Staying calm under pressure

Tools

TWIC

ServSafe

Job description

American Cruise Lines, the largest cruise line operating exclusively within the United States, seeks Executive Sous Chefs for the 2026 season aboard our modern riverboats and paddlewheelers carrying up to 200 guests.

As part of the culinary team, you will craft diversified menus with fresh ingredients, prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner for crew and guests, and ensure food safety and dietary requests are met in a fast-paced onboard environment.