Sous Chef

Avli Restaurant; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Avli Restaurant seeks a versatile Sous Chef to flex between Lakeshore East, River North, and Lincoln Park locations, leading the kitchen team and maintaining high standards.

You will oversee food quality, waste reduction, and staff training, while coordinating with management to ensure smooth daily operations and exceptional guest experiences.

Qualifications

• Experience as Sous Chef in high-volume restaurant environments.
• Strong leadership, scheduling, and team building skills.
• Wide culinary skills including knife, grill, saute, sauces, and soups.

Responsibilities

• Lead back-of-house operations across multiple locations and times.
• Coach and develop staff, control food quality and waste, manage costs.
• Oversee hiring, scheduling, and training of culinary staff.
• Maintain line leadership during service and communicate with management.
• Coordinate weekly unit activities and cross-location support.
• Ensure safety, sanitation, and compliance with regulations.

Skills

Positive attitude

Sous Chef experience

Team leadership

Culinary skills

Communication & presentation

Inventory control

Food ordering

Computer literacy

Illinois Food Handler

Allergen certifications

City of Chicago Food Manager cert

Education

Illinois Food Handler Certification

Allergen Certification

City of Chicago Food Manager Certificate

Tools

Toast POS

7shifts scheduling

Excel

Job description

Job Details

Avli is looking for a Sous Chef who will flex between locations as necessary.

Summary

Avli Restaurants are creative Greek, where tradition meets contemporary elegance and guests experience our core philosophies of Philoxenia (hospitality), Kefi (joy), and Meraki (passion).

We welcome you in to live and enjoy life through our classic and contemporary Greek dishes, lively beverage program, and an ambiance that reflects life in Greece.

Our ideal candidate will have the following skills:

• Positive attitude
• Proven experience as a Sous Chef or senior station chef in a high-volume, fast-paced restaurant environment
• Team leadership and scheduling experience
• Wide variety of culinary skills including knife skills, grill, saute, sauce and soup making, etc.
• Professional communication and presentation
• Inventory control, ordering of food and dry goods
• Computer capability including email, spreadsheet data entry, Toast POS and 7shifts scheduling software
• Illinois Food Handler and Allergen Certifications with City of Chicago Food Manager Certificate

Job Duties

Back of House Management

• This role will be considered a floating position, primarily located at our Lakeshore East location, you will also be expected to fill in at our River North and Lincoln Park locations as needed.
• Lead and manage Avli Back of House service, motivate the culinary team promoting a positive, inclusive work environment.
• Adhere to company standards by ensuring food quality and minimizing waste, maintain quality controls, and minimize food and labor costs
• Ensure that all staff demonstrate technical skills. Correct, coach, and counsel where necessary.
• Assist with the hiring, scheduling, and training of Avli staff providing guidance on proper cooking techniques, safety procedures, and sanitation practices.
• Maintain leadership presence during service, embody the Avli Philosophy of a working manager on the line and prepping for service.
• Assist with weekly unit agenda meeting and maintain an open line of communication with fellow managers and company leadership
• Address service and culinary concerns with punctuality and professionalism
• Ensure all food items are prepared and served in accordance with established recipes, portion control guidelines, and presentation standards
• Address service and culinary concerns with punctuality and professionalism

Management Administration

• Assist with location inventory each month or as required
• Assist with general supply and food ordering
• Maintain detailed employee files, hiring and I9 verification, documented corrective actions per company procedures
• Execute closing procedures: cleaning of kitchen, securing product, ensuring product is labeled, covered, and stored correctly
• Monitor staff action to ensure that staff is in compliance with all health & safety laws and regulations
• Monitor all areas of the restaurant on an ongoing basis and take appropriate steps to ensure facilities meet standards, coordinate repairs where necessary

General:

• Ability to lift ~50lbs

Job Schedule

Must be available to work various hours, days, and shifts, including holidays, nights, and weekends.