Sous Chef

Maggiano's Little Italy; Vernon Hills (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus program

Health benefits

401(k) plan

Life Insurance

Tuition assistance

Dining discounts

Wellbeing resources

Job summary

Maggiano's Little Italy in Vernon Hills, IL is seeking a Sous Chef to lead the kitchen and mentor cooks, upholding our scratch-made Italian‑American standards and hospitality. You will partner with the Executive Chef to sustain quality and consistency while developing the next generation of kitchen leaders, ensuring a memorable Guest experience every day.

This role requires culinary leadership, a passion for Italian cuisine, and flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays in a

Qualifications

• 2+ years of culinary leadership in a full-service restaurant.
• Strong command of Italian-American cuisine and classic techniques.
• Proven ability to lead, train, and motivate a kitchen team.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation and health code compliance.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily kitchen operations to ensure seamless service.
• Coach and develop line and prep cooks.
• Maintain quality, consistency, and presentation across menu items.
• Perform line checks to meet Maggiano's specifications.
• Manage production, prep lists, and inventory to reduce waste.
• Uphold sanitation and health-code compliance.
• Step into any station to support the team during peak hours.
• Collaborate with leadership to control costs and drive excellence.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Italian-American cuisine

Team coaching

Food safety

Kitchen operations

Education

Culinary degree or equivalent

Job description

Description

At Maggiano's, we believe great food brings people together. Our scratch‑made Italian‑American classics and warm, family‑style hospitality have made us a destination for life's most meaningful moments — from anniversaries and graduations to everyday dinners that become lasting memories. Rooted in the tradition of 1940s Little Italy dinner houses, we blend timeless recipes with quality ingredients and genuine hospitality. We call it \"approachable elegance\" — an upscale experience without the pretense. If you're passionate about culinary craft and creating experiences that make people feel special, this is where you belong.

Sous Chef — Maggiano's Little Italy

Why Maggiano's?

At Maggiano's, we believe great food brings people together. Our scratch‑made Italian‑American classics and warm, family‑style hospitality have made us a destination for life's most meaningful moments — from anniversaries and graduations to everyday dinners that become lasting memories. Rooted in the tradition of 1940s Little Italy dinner houses, we blend timeless recipes with quality ingredients and genuine hospitality. We call it \"approachable elegance\" — an upscale experience without the pretense. If you're passionate about culinary craft and creating experiences that make people feel special, this is where you belong.

The Role

As a Sous Chef, you are the heartbeat of our kitchen — leading the line, mentoring cooks, and ensuring every dish that leaves the pass reflects Maggiano's commitment to quality and consistency. You'll partner with the Executive Chef to uphold our culinary standards while developing the next generation of kitchen talent. This is more than a job — it's a path to growth. Many of our Executive Chefs started in this role, and we're committed to developing leaders who share our passion for Italian‑American cuisine and hospitality. You'll have the opportunity to refine your craft, shape a high‑performing team, and make a real impact on the Guest experience every single day.

What You'll Do

• Lead daily kitchen operations, ensuring seamless execution during service


• Coach and develop line cooks, prep cooks, and kitchen Teammates


• Maintain food quality, consistency, and presentation standards across all menu items


• Perform line checks to guarantee every dish meets Maggiano's specifications


• Manage food production, prep lists, and inventory to minimize waste


• Uphold sanitation and food safety standards in compliance with health regulations


• Step into any kitchen station as needed to support the team during high‑volume periods


• Collaborate with leadership to control food costs and drive operational excellence

What You Bring

• 2+ years of culinary leadership experience in a full‑service restaurant


• Strong command of Italian‑American cuisine and classic cooking techniques


• Proven ability to lead, train, and motivate a kitchen team


• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and health code compliance


• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed


• Able to perform essential job functions in a dynamic restaurant environment, which may include exposure to varying temperatures, noise levels, and peak‑hour demands


• Able to move throughout the restaurant, retrieve items from shelves and storage areas, and transport supplies weighing up to 30 lbs, with or without reasonable accommodation

What we have to offer

• Competitive compensation with performance‑based bonus opportunities


• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits


• 401(k) with company match


• Company‑paid Life Insurance and Disability coverage


• Career growth and advancement opportunities across Brinker brands


• Best You EDU™ education and tuition assistance programs


• Team Member dining discounts and PerkSpot discount program


• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellbeing resources

Brinker International is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to workplace diversity, workplace working and workplace fun. The way we see it, life is short, so you might as well work happy.

Maggiano's Little Italy is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and e-Verify Employer.

At Maggiano's Little Italy we strive to celebrate the differences that make a good company great and to leverage individual strengths to create an innovative, inclusive and unified team