Sous Chef- Benedict College

Thompson Hospitality; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/Dental/Vision

Paid Time Off

401(k), matched up to 4%

Short- and Long-Term Disability

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Referral Program

Pet Insurance

Discounts: Hotels, Travel, Tickets, 餐厅

Job summary

Benedict College in Columbia, SC is seeking a Sous Chef to lead kitchen operations of the campus dining program, reporting to the Executive Chef and guiding culinary staff to deliver fresh, flavorful meals for students and staff.

You will help with menu development, food safety, and cost controls, while maintaining high quality and nutrition in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. The role requires flexibility with hours, including evenings and weekends.

Qualifications

• Culinary degree or equivalent 2 years’ experience in a culinary leadership role.
• Proven experience in a high-volume food service environment, preferably in a leadership capacity at a contract food service account.
• Knowledge of culinary techniques, menu development, and food safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Executive Chef on diverse, cost-effective menus considering nutrition and sustainability.
• Supervise food preparation, ensuring consistent, flavorful, high-quality dishes.
• Assist in staff recruitment, training, and supervision to foster a positive work environment and skill development.
• Monitor food production for quality and safety, adhering to regulations and university policies.
• Manage inventory, control costs, and reduce waste through portion control and menu planning.
• Stay current on culinary trends and techniques, seeking continuous improvement in culinary operations.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Menu development

Food safety standards

Staff supervision

Communication

Team motivation

Education

Culinary degree

Supervisory experience

Tools

Kitchen equipment knowledge

Job description

Overview

Ready to turn up the heat on your culinary career? Join a fast-paced, flavor-forward campus dining team as our Sous Chef, where creativity meets community and every dish makes a difference.

As the right hand to the Executive Chef, you'll lead kitchen operations, inspire culinary staff, and ensure every meal served is fresh, flavorful, and student approved. From menu development to flawless execution, you'll play a crucial role in maintaining efficient kitchen operations and supporting the culinary vision of the campus dining program.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Executive Chef on diverse, cost-effective menus considering nutrition and sustainability.
• Supervise food preparation, ensuring consistent, flavorful, high-quality dishes.
• Assist in staff recruitment, training, and supervision to foster a positive work environment and skill development.
• Monitor food production for quality and safety, adhering to regulations and university policies.
• Manage inventory, control costs, and reduce waste through portion control and menu planning.
• Stay current on culinary trends and techniques, seeking continuous improvement in culinary operations.
• Requires 50-55 hours per week, including evenings and weekends as business needs dictate.

Qualifications

• Culinary degree or equivalent 2 years’ experience in a culinary leadership role.
• Proven experience in a high-volume food service environment, preferably in a leadership capacity at a contract food service account.
• Knowledge of culinary techniques, menu development, and food safety standards.
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities to handle a fast-paced kitchen.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills to effectively manage and motivate a diverse team.
• Ability to move freely in large kitchen spaces, storage areas, and multiple dining facilities across campus.
• Ability to communicate clearly in a noisy kitchen environment.
• May require climbing ladders or using step stools to access upper storage or equipment.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during long shifts.
• Frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and twisting.
• Ability to lift, carry, and move items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Manual dexterity to handle knives, cookware, and kitchen equipment safely.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure kitchen environment.
• Tolerance for exposure to heat, steam, noise, and open flames.
• Ability to navigate tight kitchen spaces and multitask efficiently.
• Visual and sensory acuity to inspect food quality, presentation, and safety.
• Flexibility to work early mornings, late nights, weekends, and holidays as required

Competitive Benefits

• Health/Dental/Vision
• Paid Time Off
• 401(k), matched up to 4%
• Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Referral Program
• Pet Insurance
• Discounts: Hotels, Travel, Tickets, Restaurants
• Employees and their relatives are eligible for a discounted meal plan at any of our HBCU client locations while they are attending school.

Who We Are

Benedict College is a private, historically Black liberal arts college located in Columbia. Founded in 1870 by Bathsheba A. Benedict, the institution was established to provide educational opportunities for formerly enslaved African Americans following the Civil War. Today, Benedict College serves more than 1,700 students and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as business, education, engineering, cybersecurity, biology, and computer science. As a recognized HBCU, the college is known for its commitment to academic excellence, leadership development, community engagement, and student success.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. All employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local laws.