Sous Chef - FT

Upper Crust Food Service; Norman (OK); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Upper Crust Food Service in Norman, OK is seeking a Sous Chef to support the Head Chef with food preparation, kitchen management, and staff oversight. You will help maintain high standards of safety, sanitation, and service while coordinating with management and customers.

This role requires teamwork, strong communication, and the ability to work in a fast-paced, loud kitchen. Experience in bulk prep and a valid food safety certification are preferred; state regulations may require certification

Qualifications

• 2+ years of food service experience preferred.
• Bulk food prep and production in a commercial kitchen setting preferred.
• Must pass background check; state/local certification requirements apply.
• Candidate should have a valid food safety handler/sanitation certification or obtain one within 30 days.

Responsibilities

• Work with Head Chef to ensure safe, efficient food preparation according to specifications.
• Collaborate with Chef to create seasonal menu concepts.
• Maintain a clean, sanitary kitchen and dining area.
• Wash utensils, equipment and dishes; ensure proper storage of ingredients.
• Assist in unloading and inspecting raw ingredients and supplies.
• Enforce sanitation and food safety standards per regulations.
• Maintain professional attitude with coworkers and customers.
• Assist in planning and executing special events as directed by management.
• Communicate regularly with management via calls, emails, and texts.

Skills

Teamwork

Sanitation procedures

Food prep

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Food handling

Industry best practices

Education

2+ years food service experience

Bulk food prep in commercial kitchen

Background check

Food safety handler cert

High school or vocational coursework in kitchen basics

Job description

Proudly serving Sororities and Fraternities, Upper Crust Food Service is known for freshness, quality, variety, and excellent customer service. Upper Crust Food Service began with a vision to solve a problem that many Fraternity and Sorority houses face. That problem is a lack of consistency and professionalism in the kitchen. With a focus on great food and personal service, we've remained true to our roots. Today, the chefs of Upper Crust Food Service prepare tens of thousands of meals weekly for students across the country.

Sous Chefs are responsible for supporting the Head Chef in food preparation, management of additional staff, maintaining a clean kitchen/dining room, and ensuring best practices with safety and sanitation. Maintain outstanding communication with management and customers. Consistently deliver outstanding products and customer service.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work with the Head Chef, ensuring that food is prepared safely, efficiently, and according to specifications or requests.
• Collaborate with the Chef to create seasonal, relevant and evolving menu concepts
• Maintain a clean and sanitary kitchen and dining room including but not limited to tables, shelves, grills, broilers, fryers, pasta cookers, sauté burners, convection oven, flat top range, refrigeration equipment, and floors
• Wash kitchen utensils, equipment and dishes, etc.
• Help with unloading, inspecting, and storage of raw ingredients and supplies.
• Enforce sanitation and food safety standards per state and local regulations.
• Maintain a professional and positive attitude with coworkers and customers.
• Assist in planning and executing special events as directed by management.
• Communicate regularly with management via calls, emails, and texts.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work well as part of a team.
• Ability to follow all sanitation procedures
• Understand food handling techniques, preparation, and cooking procedures.
• Exhibit excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work well with a variety of personalities and under pressure.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Understanding of or the ability to learn food handling techniques, preparation, and cooking procedures.
• Be familiar with the industry's best practices

Preferred Education and Experience:

• 2+ years food service skills or related experience preferred.
• Have experience with bulk food prep and production in a commercial kitchen setting.
• Ability to pass a background check
• Have a valid food safety handler and sanitation certification in accordance with state and local regulations or obtain one within 30 days of employment
• High school or vocational school coursework in kitchen basics such as food safety, preferred.

Special Demands:

• The work environment can be loud and busy. There are many kitchen hazards such as hot surfaces and liquids, sharp knives, and slippery floors.
• Capability to work in a kitchen environment that may involve exposure to extreme heat or cold.
• Required to stand for long periods, up to 8+ hours, as well as walk, bend and stoop.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at times.