Executive Sous Chef: Lead Kitchens & Events

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

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.