EXECUTIVE SOUS CHEF

Compass Group USA; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Vision

Life Insurance/ AD

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Job summary

Executive Sous Chef role within Flik Hospitality, a Compass Group USA division, supporting the Executive Chef and culinary leadership across operations. Leads kitchen teams, ensures high-quality food execution, compliance with standards, and a positive staff environment.

The role entails culinary decision-making in the absence of the Executive Chef, menu development support, and oversight of kitchen operations during high-demand events.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of relevant culinary experience.
• Mastery of a wide variety of kitchen stations.
• Ability to think on their feet and create, produce and serve on the fly.
• Knowledge of food cost and how it pertains to a kitchen, product and quality identification.
• Excellent interpersonal, customer service, and oral/written communication skills.
• Applied food service sanitation certification, SERVSAFE, and/or HACCP federal guideline certification.
• Demonstrated understanding of current culinary market/trends and creative food presentation.

Responsibilities

• Act as second-in-command to the Executive Chef, overseeing menu execution, kitchen operations, and client-facing needs.
• Support menu development, daily production, and food presentation standards.
• Lead, coach, and mentor sous chefs and front-line associates to strengthen skills and accountability.
• Partner with the Executive Chef in client tastings, catering events, and direct client interaction.
• Maintain collaboration with FOH leadership to deliver seamless service.
• Oversee EHA responsibilities, ensuring accurate daily logs, sanitation practices, and food safety standards.
• Provide ongoing training for kitchen staff, including food safety, compliance, and culinary development.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and extended hours as business needs dictate.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

Staff coaching

Food safety

Communication

Audits/compliance

Education

B.S. Degree in Culinary Arts

Tools

SERVSAFE certification

Job description

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What makes FLIK click? Our people. The decisions, actions and attitudes of our associates earn the trust and loyalty of our clients every day. We know how to pick them and we know how to grow them. It starts with hiring people who share our passion for food and hospitality. Once we find the right talent, we encourage, value and recognize their contributions.

We keep our people renewed, excited and engaged by providing hands‑on training and educating them about the latest trends. We give them a stake in successfully raising the bar. Our people love what they do and they love sharing their passion. Join our team and see the FLIK difference. Where a job isn’t merely a job but the start of a career where you can flourish.

Job Summary

As Executive Sous Chef, you serve as the second-in-command of the culinary team, supporting both the Executive Chef and the overall success of the entire operation. This role blends your culinary expertise, leadership, and accountability to ensure high-quality food execution, compliance with standards, and a positive team environment.

Acting Authority

• Assume full culinary decision‑making responsibility in the absence of the Executive Chef, including oversight of menu execution, kitchen operations, and client‑facing needs.

Culinary & Operational Leadership

• Support menu development, daily production, and food presentation standards.
• Step into operations directly (line, banquets, catering) as business demands, including during call‑offs or high‑volume events.

Staff Coaching & Development

• Lead, coach, and mentor sous chefs and front‑line associates to strengthen skills, teamwork, and accountability.
• Foster a positive and professional work environment, setting the tone for collaboration and respect in the kitchen.

Client & FOH Engagement

• Partner with the Executive Chef in client tastings, catering events, and direct client interaction.
• Maintain strong collaboration with FOH leadership to deliver seamless service.

Compliance & Safety

• Oversee EHA responsibilities, ensuring accurate daily logs, sanitation practices, and food safety standards are consistently met.
• Prepare the team for corporate and Flik/Compass audits, reviewing documentation for accuracy and completeness.

Training & Accountability

• Provide ongoing training for kitchen staff, including food safety, compliance, and culinary development.
• Ensure accountability for audit readiness, holding staff to Flik and Compass requirements.

Commitment

• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and extended hours as business needs dictate (minimum 10‑hour standard days, 12‑hour event days).

Preferred Qualifications:

• B.S. Degree in Culinary Arts, Food Services Technology/Management/or related field; or A.O.S. Degree in Culinary Arts with additional specialized training
• 3-5 years of relevant culinary experience
• Mastery of a wide variety of kitchen positions and stations
• Ability to think on their feet, as well as create, produce, and serve on the fly
• Knowledge of food cost and how it pertains to a kitchen, product and quality identification
• Excellent interpersonal, customer service, and oral/written communication skills
• Applied food service sanitation certification, SERVSAFE, and/or HACCP federal guideline certification
• Demonstrated understanding of current culinary market/trends and creative food presentation preferred

Associates at Flik Hospitality are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Personal Leave

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.