Sous Chef

Restaurant Associates; Kennett Square (Chester County); 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 (varies by site/state

Associate Shopping Program

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Personal Leave

Job summary

Restaurant Associates is seeking a talented Sous Chef to join 1906, the signature fine dining restaurant at Longwood Gardens. This hands-on leader will supervise 15–30 culinary associates and work directly with the Executive Chef to drive service excellence and seasonal innovation.

Ideal candidates have Associate degree in Culinary Arts and progressive kitchen leadership in high-volume settings, with strong hospitality and ability to mentor teams and manage costs.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Culinary Arts or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Progressive culinary and kitchen leadership experience in restaurants, hotels, resorts, or complex foodservice environments.
• Experience supporting high-volume operations with a commitment to quality and hospitality.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily culinary operations of 1906 in partnership with the Executive Chef.
• Supervise and develop a team of approximately 15-30 culinary associates.
• Lead by example during service, working on the line while upholding quality and presentation standards.
• Assist with menu planning, recipe development, seasonal offerings, and culinary innovation.
• Support production kitchen operations and ensure successful execution across outlets.
• Assist with managing food costs, labor, purchasing, and inventory controls.
• Produce catered events, special functions, and VIP experiences.
• Implement new culinary programs in collaboration with culinary and marketing teams.
• Foster an inclusive, high-performing kitchen culture focused on teamwork and learning.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

Food preparation

Menu planning

Catering/Events

Sanitation/food safety

MS Office

Education

Associate degree in Culinary Arts

Job description

Restaurant Associates is seeking a talented Sous Chef to join the team at 1906, the signature fine dining restaurant at Longwood Gardens. This is an opportunity to be part of a culinary program that celebrates seasonality, innovation, and world-class hospitality in one of the nation's most beautiful and iconic destinations.

Reporting directly to the Executive Chef of 1906, the Sous Chef will play a key leadership role in the day-to-day operation of the culinary department, supervising approximately 15-30 associates while remaining actively involved in service and production. The ideal candidate is a hands‑on culinary leader who enjoys developing teams, mentoring future talent, collaborating on menu development, and delivering memorable guest experiences. This position offers the opportunity to combine creativity, leadership, and operational excellence within a highly respected Restaurant Associates culinary program.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with the Executive Chef to oversee the daily culinary operations of 1906
• Supervise, coach, and develop a team of approximately 15-30 culinary associates
• Lead by example during service, working on the line while maintaining quality, consistency, and presentation standards
• Assist with menu planning, recipe development, seasonal offerings, and culinary innovation
• Support production kitchen operations and ensure successful execution across all outlets
• Assist the Executive Chef with managing food costs, labor expenses, purchasing, and inventory controls
• Produce and execute catered events, special functions, and VIP experiences
• Implement new culinary programs in collaboration with Restaurant Associates culinary and marketing teams
• Foster an inclusive, positive, and high‑performing kitchen culture focused on teamwork and continuous learning
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety standards

What We’re Looking For

• Associate degree in Culinary Arts or equivalent combination of education and professional experience
• Progressive culinary and kitchen leadership experience in restaurants, hotels, resorts, or complex foodservice environments
• Experience supporting high‑volume operations with a commitment to quality and hospitality
• Catering, banquet, or special event experience is a plus
• Knowledge of current food and catering trends, menu development, and culinary techniques
• Understanding of food cost controls, inventory management, purchasing, and labor planning
• Strong communication, coaching, and team development skills
• Comfortable using Microsoft Office applications, Outlook, email, and related technology
• ServSafe Certification preferred

Associates at Restaurant Associates are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Personal Leave

Restaurant Associates is a member of Compass Group USA

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Restaurant Associates maintains a drug‑free workplace.

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_RA.pdf