Events-Centric Sous Chef

DO & CO group; Des Plaines (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary range: $80,000 - $100,000

Daily complimentary meals

401K and medical benefits

Career development opportunities

Flexible schedule for evenings and/or週

Opportunity to work at premier global/

Job summary

DO & CO group is seeking an Events-Centric Sous Chef to lead daily kitchen operations in our Chicago, New York and LAX kitchens and to contribute to menu development for premium events across the U.S. and worldwide.

This role emphasizes cost-conscious culinary excellence, team leadership, and adapting to high-pressure, event-driven environments. Excellent attention to detail and strong teamwork are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3+ professional cooking experience in a high-volume kitchen environment.
• Culinary degree or certification preferred.
• Knowledge of current catering industry trends.
• Ability to work efficiently under pressure while maintaining quality.
• Familiarity with kitchen safety and sanitation protocols.
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills.
• Ability to work long hours including nights, weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily kitchen operations within your assigned area, guiding culinary teams to deliver quality, technique, portions, presentation and cost control.
• Champion ingredient excellence by inspecting freshness and standardizing production recipes for consistency.
• Maintain production flow by monitoring inventory, preventing shortages, and communicating needs to the Executive Chef.
• Drive culinary innovation and catering excellence to improve cost efficiency, quality and guest experience.
• Uphold production standards to meet timelines, quality benchmarks and client specs.
• Ensure menu items meet DO CO’s signature standards and airline meal specs.
• Support the Executive Chef with proposal development, menu concepts, food cost control and scheduling.
• Optimize staffing coverage and travel to events to align with business needs.
• Safeguard a world-class kitchen environment with strict food safety and cleanliness standards.
• Maintain Culinary Excellence Standard by training, motivating and managing kitchen personnel.

Skills

High-volume cooking

Teamwork & communication

Food safety & sanitation

Work under pressure

Flexibility for shifts

Attention to detail

Education

Culinary degree or certification

Job description

Events-Centric Sous Chef

About the Position

We’re seeking a dynamic Events-Centric Sous Chef, who elevates daily kitchen excellence, motivates a high-performing team, and contributes to creative, cost-smart menu development at DO & CO’s New York, Chicago, LAX kitchens. You’ll also have the unique opportunity to cook at premier global events—like Formula 1 and FIFA—throughout the U.S. and around the world.

About DO & CO

We have a passion for hospitality culinary delights on every elevated floor and in the sky. With the three business segments of Airline Catering, International Event Catering, and Restaurants, Lounges & Hotels, we offer gourmet entertainment all over the world. We operate in 33 locations, 12 countries and 3 Continents, maintaining the highest standard of quality in both our products and services. We refine the classics, develop the unknown and grow constantly – sometimes beyond our own expectations.

Responsibilities:

• Lead daily kitchen operations within your assigned area, guiding and mentoring culinary teams to deliver exceptional food quality, flawless technique, consistent portioning, presentation, and cost control.
• Champion ingredient excellence by inspecting freshness, participating in tastings, and standardizing production recipes to ensure consistency across all menus.
• Maintain seamless production flow by monitoring inventory levels, preventing shortages, and proactively communicating needs or discrepancies to the Executive Chef.
• Drive culinary innovation and catering excellence by contributing ideas that elevate cost efficiency, quality, presentation, and overall guest experience.
• Uphold rigorous production standards to guarantee timelines, quality benchmarks, and client specifications are met without compromise.
• Ensure menu items meet DO&CO’s signature standards, delivering products that align precisely with airline meal specs and premium catering expectations.
• Support the Executive Chef with proposal development, creative menu concepts, food cost control, operational reporting, and team scheduling.
• Optimize staffing coverage & travel to DO&CO catered events, to ensure culinary personnel levels align with business demands and operational needs.
• Safeguard a world-class kitchen environment by enforcing strict compliance with federal/state food safety regulations, sanitation protocols, equipment care, and overall cleanliness standards
• Maintain Culinary Excellence Standard- train, motivate and manage kitchen personnel and supervise culinary activities as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 3+ professional cooking experience in a high-volume kitchen environment required.
• Culinary degree or certification is preferred.
• Knowledge of current catering industry trends.
• Ability to work efficiently under pressure while maintaining attention to detail and consistency in food quality.
• Familiarity with kitchen safety and sanitation protocols.
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills.
• Ability to work long hours on foot and in environments with varying temperatures.
• Flexibility to work different shifts (including nights, weekends, and holidays) based on business needs.

What We Offer:

• Salary range: $80,000 - $100,000 annually.
• Daily Complimentary Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
• FT employees are eligible for 401K and medical benefits: medical, dental, and vision.
• An organization dedicated to fostering innovation; in pursuit of cultivating creativity, embracing new ideas and leveraging our impeccable standard for hospitality.
• Genuine career development opportunities, both nationally and internationally.
• Flexible schedule with availability to work evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays based on company operations.
• The chance to collaborate and represent a leading force in the luxury global gourmet entertainment industry by attending world-class events.

Diversity & Inclusion Statement

DO & CO provides equal employment opportunities. Applicants will be considered for employment without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability status or any other protected characteristic.