Sous Chef

American Cruise Lines; Portsmouth (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision

401(k) with match

Travel, room and board covered

Job summary

American Cruise Lines seeks a talented Sous Chef to join our culinary team for the 2026 season aboard our intimate vessels. You will assist the Executive Chef in creating diverse menus using fresh regional ingredients and lead the kitchen during service on breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

You will ensure consistent world-class cuisine across the ship, uphold hygiene standards, and manage the culinary team to deliver flawless guest experiences.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of culinary experience in full-service resort, hotel, or cruise ship.
• ServSafe Manager Certification strongly preferred.
• TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) required.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with the Executive Chef to produce diversified menus for our guests using fresh ingredients.
• Oversee the culinary team to produce cafe, buffet, and hors d'oeuvres food, maintaining high guest scores.
• Ensure the same level of world class culinary skill and presentation across 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

Leadership

Teamwork

Communication

Problem solving

Time management

Adaptability

Job description

American Cruise Lines, the largest cruise line operating exclusively within the United States, is seeking talented Sous Chefs to join our team for the 2026 season. Our modern riverboats and iconic paddlewheelers carry no more than 200 guests, providing a uniquely intimate small-ship experience along America’s rivers. With newly constructed vessels continually joining our expanding fleet, this is an excellent opportunity to contribute to exceptional culinary experiences nationwide.

Exceptional cuisine is prepared by chefs who have extensive culinary credentials and training from some of the most prestigious culinary institutes. Using only the freshest ingredients, menus are inspired by regional and local specialties. Working in the kitchen, you will be an integral part of the culinary team. Your goal will be to utilize the ingredients provided to create a unique array of dishes that are full of delicious flavor. Our Sous Chefs are involved with all aspects of food production including breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the main restaurant, and have primary responsibility for the quality of café food and hors d’oeuvres served. Ensuring consistency in culinary excellence across the vessel your primary responsibility. You will work closely with other members of the culinary team every day to ensure that the kitchen operations run smoothly and that all service provided to our guests is flawless.

At American Cruise Lines, we are driven by our values—Optimism, Commitment, Patriotism, and Merit. These values shape our culture, our service, and our people, guiding us as we work together to Share America’s Story on the Finest American Ships.

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.

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.

Work Schedule:

7 days per week while onboard the ship.

6 to 8 weeks onboard followed by 1 to 2 weeks off.

This is a full-time, exempt position.

Essential Functions:

• Ships experience forces from wind, waves, and currents, prompting them to exhibit six distinct motions known as ship motions. The six motions are surge, sway, heave, roll, pitch, and yaw. This position requires the ability to live and satisfactorily perform job duties in an environment that is subject to constant motion.
• Ability to multi-task, take direction, and be a team player.
• Ability to work with composure under pressure.
• Ability to speak, read, and understand basic cooking recipes and adhere to directions.
• Ability to work around 12 hours per day.
• Ability to assist in the event of an on-board emergency by quickly climbing up a ladder, opening, and passing through a 20” diameter hatch.
• Ability to stand for your entire shift.
• Ability to frequently lift up to 20 lbs. and occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to frequently bend, squat and reach.
• Ability to live and work on board a vessel for extended periods of time.
• Ability to use stairs frequently.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Competitive daily rate.
• Health, dental, vision, and 401(k) with match.
• Covered Expenses: American Cruise Lines provides travel, room and board, uniforms, and training.

Applicant Acknowledgment

By proceeding to apply for the above position, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the description of the job position for which I am applying, I agree that it accurately reflects the essential functions of the position, and I represent that I can complete the essential functions of the position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

American Cruise Lines is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants. American Cruise Lines bases all employment decisions on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications without regard to protected characteristics, including, but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin and citizenship, age (40 and over), disability (including perceived disability), generic information, military service, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all aspects of employment and employment decisions, including, but not limited to, hiring, selection, job assignment, training, compensation, promotion, discipline, termination, and access to benefits.

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**This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of the duties and responsibilities of the position and such duties and responsibilities may change without notice.