Sous Chef

careers-ucfs; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance/ AD

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Associate Shopping Program

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Pet Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Paid Parental Leave

Personal Leave

Job summary

Upper Crust Food Service in Seattle is seeking a skilled Sous Chef to assist the Chef and Dining Director in daily kitchen operations for residential dining, catering, and events.

You will monitor food production, train staff, manage inventories, uphold safety and quality standards, and collaborate on menu development to deliver restaurant-quality experiences across campus venues. This is a hands-on leadership role requiring energy, organization, and a passion for student dining excellence.

Qualifications

• Experience in high-volume food production and leadership roles.
• Strong knowledge of food safety protocols and allergen handling.
• Ability to manage inventories, control costs, and supervise kitchen staff.

Responsibilities

• Assist in managing daily food production for residential dining, catering, and special events.
• Support menu execution, recipe adherence, and food presentation standards.
• Supervise and train kitchen staff to ensure efficient operations and consistent food quality.
• Monitor food preparation, portioning, and service to maintain quality and cost control.
• Assist with inventory management, ordering, receiving, and proper food storage procedures.
• Support catering operations, including event preparation, setup, and execution.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient kitchen environment.
• Collaborate with the Chef on menu development, production planning, and operational improvements.
• Step into leadership responsibilities in the Chef's absence.

Skills

High-volume cooking

Staff supervision

Food safety & HACCP

Menu execution

Inventory management

Allergen awareness

Kitchen equipment operation

Communication

Tools

Inventory software

Scheduling systems

Job description

Upper Crust Food Service is a premier hospitality partner delivering high-end, chef-driven dining solutions to over 750+ partners nationwide. While our footprint is expansive, we have intentionally maintained a culture that is small enough to care deeply for our employees and clients. We deliver elevated restaurant-quality culinary experiences, and a hospitality-first culture. At Upper Crust, we believe that great food is the cornerstone of the student experience, and we empower our leadership teams to run their accounts with the entrepreneurial spirit of a boutique restaurant, backed by the robust resources of a national industry leader.

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Sous Chef to support the Chef and Dining Director in overseeing daily kitchen operations. This role is responsible for assisting with food production, staff supervision, quality control, and ensuring a safe and efficient kitchen environment. The Sous Chef will help maintain high culinary standards while supporting residential dining, catering services, and special events.

Key Responsibilities

This role includes a broad range of culinary, operational, and leadership duties:

• Assist in managing daily food production for residential dining, catering, and special events.
• Support menu execution, recipe adherence, and food presentation standards.
• Supervise and train kitchen staff to ensure efficient operations and consistent food quality.
• Monitor food preparation, portioning, and service to maintain quality and cost control.
• Assist with inventory management, ordering, receiving, and proper food storage procedures.
• Support catering operations, including event preparation, setup, and execution.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient kitchen environment.
• Collaborate with the Chef on menu development, production planning, and operational improvements.
• Step into leadership responsibilities in the Chef's absence.

Health & Safety Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety standards.
• Maintain proper food handling, storage, labeling, and temperature control procedures.
• Support allergen awareness and safe food preparation practices.
• Monitor kitchen cleanliness and ensure compliance with health department regulations.
• Promote a culture of safety through training, accountability, and best practices.

Technical Expertise

• Strong knowledge of food preparation techniques and high-volume food production.
• Experience supervising kitchen staff and coordinating daily kitchen operations.
• Knowledge of inventory management, food cost control, and waste reduction practices.
• Ability to operate commercial kitchen equipment safely and effectively.
• Familiarity with catering operations and large-scale meal service.
• Proficiency with basic computer systems for communication, scheduling, and reporting

Why Join Upper Crust Food Service?

We offer a competitive compensation package, including comprehensive benefits and the opportunity to lead a flagship account within the Seattle collegiate landscape. Ready to lead the next era of campus dining?

• Medical
• Dental
• 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
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Personal Leave