Esquire Sous Chef

M Street Entertainment Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 68,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Life insurance

Paid time off

Paid sick leave

Job summary

Esquire, a luxury steakhouse in Chicago’s Gold Coast, is seeking a hands-on line lead to translate menus into plates and drive consistency on the kitchen line.

Bring 3+ years line experience, strong French technique, and a CFPM certification. You’ll lead shifts, coach cooks, and assist with prep, ordering, and station readiness. Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits in a salaried, exempt role.

Qualifications

• 3+ years line experience in quality-driven kitchens
• Strong fundamentals in French technique and protein cookery
• Food-safety certification
• Cert Food Protection Manager (CFPM) — REQUIRED with on-duty CFPM present during all hours of food prep and service

Responsibilities

• Run assigned stations to standard; lead shifts when scheduled.
• Execute prep and mise; maintain par and station readiness.
• Coach line cooks; uphold plating, timing, and food-safety standards.
• Support ordering, receiving, and rotation as directed

Skills

Line experience

French technique

Protein cookery

Food safety

Job description

• Pay or shift range: $68,000 USD to $92,000 USD
  The estimated range is the budgeted amount for this position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications and other job-related reasons.
• Back of House
• Full-Time
• Requisition #: ESQUI001114

Description

Location: 58 East Oak Street, Gold Coast, Chicago, IL Employment type: Full-time Classification: Salaried, exempt Reports to:Executive Chef / Executive Sous Chef

Why Esquire

Esquire is a 265-seat luxury steakhouse in Chicago’s Gold Coast where Japanese precision meets French technique — anchored by an elite Wagyu and seafood program, a four-level Wine Tower, the OakShō omakase counter, and the invitation-only 58 Club. We hold an uncompromising standard and hire people who want to set it, not just meet it. Esquire is operated by M Street Collective, the group behind Nashville’s Virago, Moto, Kayne Prime, and Saint Añejo.

The Role

Station and shift leadership on the line — the hands-on craftsperson who turns the menu into plates and models consistency for the cooks around them.

What You’ll Do

• Run assigned stations to standard; lead shifts when scheduled.
• Execute prep and mise; maintain par and station readiness.
• Coach line cooks; uphold plating, timing, and food-safety standards.
• Support ordering, receiving, and rotation as directed.

What You Bring

• 3+ years line experience in quality-driven kitchens; some lead experience.
• Strong fundamentals in French technique and protein cookery.
• Food-safety certification.

Certifications & Requirements

• Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) — REQUIRED. Current ANSI-CFP–accredited CFPM (valid 5 years); this role serves as an on-duty CFPM. At least one CFPM must be present during all hours of food preparation and service.
• Allergen Awareness (manager) — REQUIRED with CFPM. Illinois-approved, ANSI-accredited allergen training within 30 days; renew every 3 years; kept on site.
• Food Handler is satisfied by the CFPM.

Compensation — Pay Scale

$68,000 to $92,000 per year, paid as an annual salary (market-aligned). The final offer is confirmed in writing. This position is eligible for a performance bonus as a component of total compensation.

Eligible team members receive group medical, dental, and vision insurance (the Company pays part of the premium), a 401(k) plan, Company-paid life insurance, and a confidential Employee Assistance Program. Time off includes Paid Time Off for eligible salaried positions, Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave, and paid bereavement leave, plus the protected leaves required by federal and Illinois law (FMLA, VESSA, military, jury, and voting). Final plan details and eligibility are confirmed in the written offer.

About Esquire

Esquire is a modern luxury steakhouse on Oak Street in Chicago’s Gold Coast — Japanese precision built on a French foundation, anchored by an elite Wagyu program and a seafood-and-sushi program that earns equal billing. Across a 265-seat dining room, a four-level ~5,000-bottle Wine Tower, the Trophy Room, the invitation-only 58 Club, and the OakShō omakase counter, it delivers omotenashi-inspired hospitality and culinary theater in a vintage-Hollywood setting.

About M Street Collective

M Street Collective is the hospitality group behind Esquire, with operations in Nashville and Chicago. Built on four pillars — quality, consistency, hospitality, and innovation — and a commitment to innovation, leadership development and world-class training, the Collective creates restaurants and experiences defined by an uncompromising standard and genuine, anticipatory care.

M Street Collective is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race (including traits associated with race under the CROWN Act), color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or family-responsibilities status, disability, military or veteran status, citizenship or immigration status, arrest or conviction record (as limited by law), credit history, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, Illinois, or Chicago law. Consistent with the Illinois Job Opportunities for Qualified Applicants Act, we do not ask about criminal history on the application, and we do not ask about salary history. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities, for pregnancy and related conditions, and for religious observance — contact People Operations. This position is performed in Chicago, Illinois.

Experience

Required

3 years: Line Experience in quality-driven kitchens; some lead experience

Preferred

Strong fundamentals in French technique and protein cookery

Food-safety certification

Licenses & Certifications

Required

Cert Food Protection Mgr

Preferred

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.