Executive Sous Chef

Harri; McLean (VA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dining privileges across KNEAD venues

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Generous paid time off

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

KNEAD Hospitality + Design seeks an Executive Sous Chef to support Café Monett's opening and ongoing culinary operations in downtown McLean. You will work closely with the Executive Chef to build the team, implement standards, and drive exceptional hospitality in a fast-paced setting.

The role emphasizes hands-on leadership, staff development, and collaboration with FOH to ensure top-quality execution and guest satisfaction across all service periods.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years of progressive culinary experience with 1–2 years in a sous chef role.
• Experience with new restaurant openings or kitchen buildouts preferred.
• Background in seasonal, café-style, or modern European-inspired cuisine.
• Strong leadership capable of training, motivating, and retaining teams.
• Culinary degree or equivalent professional experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support the Executive Chef in daily operations and opening tasks.
• Lead kitchen during service ensuring quality, consistency, and speed.
• Help hire, train, and develop opening culinary team.
• Oversee BOH scheduling, inventory, and cost awareness.
• Ensure food safety and sanitation per health department standards.
• Collaborate with FOH for seamless service.
• Provide leadership continuity in the executive chef's absence.

Skills

Leadership

Staff training

Kitchen operations

Food cost management

Education

Culinary degree or equivalent

Job description

KNEAD Hospitality + Design is seeking a driven and experienced Executive Sous Chef to support the opening and daily culinary operations of Café Monett, a brand-new restaurant located in downtown McLean and integrated within the McLean Project for the Arts campus.

Café Monett is designed as a community-focused café and restaurant that connects food, culture, and the arts. The concept features seasonal, approachable cuisine executed with refined technique, serving artists, patrons, families, and the surrounding neighborhood throughout the day.

As Executive Sous Chef , you will work directly alongside the Executive Chef to help open the restaurant, build the culinary team, and maintain high standards of execution, organization, and hospitality. This is a hands-on leadership role ideal for a chef who thrives in fast-paced environments, enjoys mentoring teams, and takes pride in operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Executive Chef in all culinary operations for Café Monett, including daily service, prep, and kitchen systems across all dayparts.
• Act as the primary leader in the kitchen during service, ensuring food quality, consistency, and speed of execution.
• Assist in hiring, training, and developing the opening culinary team while fostering a positive, accountable kitchen culture.
• Oversee BOH operations including scheduling support, inventory control, ordering, and cost awareness.
• Ensure strict adherence to food safety, sanitation, and health department standards.
• Help execute menu rollouts, seasonal updates, and special programming tied to gallery openings and community events.
• Maintain clear communication with FOH leadership to support seamless service and guest satisfaction.
• Step in for the Executive Chef as needed and provide leadership continuity.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years of progressive culinary experience, including at least 1 to 2 years in a Sous Chef or senior kitchen leadership role.
• Experience with new restaurant openings or kitchen buildouts strongly preferred.
• Background in seasonal, café-style, or modern European inspired cuisine a plus.
• Strong leadership skills with a proven ability to train, motivate, and retain teams.
• Solid understanding of kitchen organization, prep systems, and food cost fundamentals.
• Culinary degree or equivalent professional experience preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Performance-based bonus opportunity
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous paid time off
• Dining privileges across all KNEAD Hospitality + Design restaurants
• Ongoing professional development and growth opportunities

About KNEAD Hospitality + Design

Founded by hospitality professionals Jason Berry and Michael Reginbogin, KNEAD Hospitality + Design operates some of the region’s most respected restaurants, known for thoughtful design, ingredient-driven cuisine, and strong culinary leadership. Café Monett represents a new and exciting collaboration between food and the arts, rooted in community and creativity.

We run background checks on all new hires in this position.