Onboard Sous Chef | Lead Culinary Team Afloat

American Cruise Lines; New London (CT); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) with match

Travel and lodging provided

Job summary

American Cruise Lines seeks experienced Sous Chefs to join our culinary team for the 2026 season. You will oversee daily kitchen operations, mentor crew, and ensure menus reflect regional flavors while maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety.

You will collaborate with the Executive Chef to craft diversified menus and supervise breakfast, lunch, dinner, and café offerings, contributing to memorable voyages for guests across the U.S. waterways.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of culinary experience in full-service resort, hotel, or cruise ship.
• ServSafe Manager Certification strongly preferred.
• Familiar with food safety standards.
• Must possess problem solving skills, self-motivation, and organization.
• An effective leader who can effectively control time management.
• Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test.
• Complete criminal background check.
• Training and Teaching experience.
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with the Executive Chef to produce diversified menus for our guests using fresh ingredients.
• Work directly overseeing the culinary team to produce delicious and presentable café, buffet, and hors d’oeuvres food, maintaining high guest scores in these areas.
• Ensure the same level of world class culinary skill and presentation served in the main restaurant is consistent with all food served throughout the ship.
• Organize the work in the kitchen so that kitchen processes run efficiently.
• Produce high quality dishes that follow the established menu choices.
• Adhere to all guest dietary requests.
• Maintain order and discipline in the kitchen during work hours.
• Make sure that the hygiene and food safety standards are placed as a top priority throughout all stages of food preparation.
• Ensure that all meals are prepared as quickly and deliciously as possible.
• Enforce food and safety standards.

Skills

Culinary experience

ServSafe certification

Food safety knowledge

Leadership

Communication skills

Drug test

Background check

Training experience

TWIC

Time management

Job description

American Cruise Lines seeks experienced Sous Chefs to join our culinary team for the 2026 season. You will oversee daily kitchen operations, mentor crew, and ensure menus reflect regional flavors while maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety.

You will collaborate with the Executive Chef to craft diversified menus and supervise breakfast, lunch, dinner, and café offerings, contributing to memorable voyages for guests across the U.S. waterways.