Sous Chef – Gaithersburg, MD

Goodwin Recruiting; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Out-of-market training with housing &

Job summary

Goodwin Recruiting in Gaithersburg, MD, is seeking an experienced Sous Chef to join its culinary leadership team. This hands-on role focuses on scratch cooking, strong systems, and delivering an exceptional guest experience in an upscale casual concept.

You will lead daily BOH operations, train cooks, ensure recipe standards, manage prep and line readiness, support inventory and food cost, and maintain food safety.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of culinary leadership in a full-service scratch-kitchen.
• Current or recent Sous Chef or Kitchen Manager experience.
• Experience in high-volume upscale or polished casual settings.
• Proven ability to train BOH teams and manage costs.
• Strong food safety knowledge and disciplined operation.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily BOH operations and high-volume service execution.
• Train, coach, and develop cooks and other kitchen team members.
• Maintain recipe, preparation, portioning, plating, and food-quality standards.
• Manage prep, production, pars, line readiness, and kitchen organization.
• Support inventory, ordering, receiving, food cost, portion control, and waste reduction.
• Maintain strong food safety, sanitation, and cleanliness standards.
• Work closely with FOH leadership to ensure smooth service and a strong guest experience.

Skills

Culinary leadership

High-volume kitchen management

Staff training & development

Food safety & sanitation

Inventory, food cost control

Job description

A growing, privately owned restaurant group is seeking an experienced Sous Chef to join its culinary leadership team in Gaithersburg, Maryland. This upscale casual concept is built around scratch cooking, strong operational systems, consistent execution, and a commitment to delivering an exceptional guest experience.

We are looking for a hands-on culinary leader who can develop a strong kitchen team while maintaining high standards for food quality, consistency, sanitation, and cost control.

This position requires 6–8 weeks of paid, out-of-market training. Candidates must be able to commit to the full training period. Housing and travel support will be provided.Housing and travel support will be provided.

What We Offer

• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Paid time off
• Paid out-of-market training with housing and travel support
• Career advancement with a growing restaurant group

What You’ll Do

• Lead daily BOH operations and high-volume service execution
• Train, coach, and develop cooks and other kitchen team members
• Maintain recipe, preparation, portioning, plating, and food-quality standards
• Manage prep, production, pars, line readiness, and kitchen organization
• Support inventory, ordering, receiving, food cost, portion control, and waste reduction
• Maintain strong food safety, sanitation, and cleanliness standards
• Work closely with FOH leadership to ensure smooth service and a strong guest experience

What We’re Looking For

• 2+ years of culinary leadership experience in a full-service scratch-kitchen restaurant
• Current or recent Sous Chef orKitchen Manager experience
• High-volume upscale or polished casual experience preferred
• Experience with food cost, inventory, ordering, labor, and kitchen controls
• Proven ability to train and develop BOH teams
• Strong food safety and sanitation knowledge
• Hands-on leadership style with the ability to perform under high-volume conditions
• Ability to complete the required 6–8 weeks of out-of-market training

If you are a culinary leader who takes pride in developing people, executing great food consistently, and running a disciplined kitchen operation, this is an opportunity to continue building your career with a growing restaurant group.