Lead Sous Chef: Scratch Cooking & Catering

Bon Appétit Management Company; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Associate Shopping Program

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet Insurance

Commuter Benefits

Employee Assistance Program

FSAs

Paid Parental Leave

Personal Leave

Job summary

Bon Appetit is seeking a Sous Chef to join our dynamic foodservice team in a contract dining environment. Reporting to the Executive Chef, you will assist with daily kitchen operations, inventory management, and menu development to deliver high-quality meals with scratch cooking.

This role emphasizes leadership, mentorship of hourly staff, and adherence to HACCP and allergy protocols. The ideal candidate brings 2+ years in culinary management, strong catering experience, and a passion for

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Culinary Arts or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years of culinary or kitchen management experience in high-volume foodservice operations; institutional, hospitality, healthcare, corporate dining, or contract foodservice experience preferred.
• Strong catering experience and ability to lead special events.
• Knowledge of scratch cooking, batch production, and food cost controls.
• Demonstrated understanding of food trends, seasonal ingredients, and sustainable practices.
• ServSafe Certification highly preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Outlook, and internet-based tools.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with a strong sense of ownership and collaboration.
• Dedication to delivering exceptional guest experiences and a passion for creating delicious, high-quality meals.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Executive Chef in daily kitchen operations, including food preparation, production, and supervision of back-of-house staff.
• Support cost control initiatives by assisting with inventory management, ordering, and minimizing food waste.
• Help plan, develop, and implement menus that align with company culinary standards, customer preferences, and nutritional guidelines.
• Lead or support the preparation and execution of catered events, ensuring high-quality food, presentation, and service.
• Implement and support new culinary programs and initiatives in collaboration with the Executive Chef and corporate culinary team.
• Ensure all food safety and sanitation guidelines are rigorously followed, including compliance with HACCP and allergy protocols.
• Maintain high standards for food quality, cleanliness, and organization in all kitchen areas.
• Participate in training and mentoring hourly culinary staff to support skill development and team culture.
• Champion a safe, inclusive, and collaborative kitchen environment that reflects company values.

Skills

Culinary/kitchen management

Catering experience

Communication skills

Leadership

Scratch cooking

Food cost controls

Food safety knowledge

Microsoft Office

Outlook

Education

Associate degree in Culinary Arts or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Outlook

Job description

Bon Appetit is seeking a Sous Chef to join our dynamic foodservice team in a contract dining environment. Reporting to the Executive Chef, you will assist with daily kitchen operations, inventory management, and menu development to deliver high-quality meals with scratch cooking.

This role emphasizes leadership, mentorship of hourly staff, and adherence to HACCP and allergy protocols. The ideal candidate brings 2+ years in culinary management, strong catering experience, and a passion for