Sous Chef - Milk & Honey

Thompson Hospitality; Charlottesville (VA); 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,  &

Discounts: Hotels, Travel, Tickets,  &

Meal plan discounts

Job summary

Milk & Honey by Thompson Restaurants is seeking a passionate Sous Chef to lead our kitchen and uphold the high standards our guests expect. You’ll work closely with the General Manager and culinary team to drive operations, develop the team, and ensure each dish meets our signature quality during prep, service, and closing shifts.

This leadership role requires 50–55 hours weekly, including evenings and weekends, with opportunities to mentor staff, manage food safety, and control costs while

Qualifications

• Experience in a high-class dining environment.
• Proven sous chef experience with leadership responsibilities.
• Positive attitude and strong work ethic.
• Ability to move freely in large kitchen spaces and across facilities.
• Clear communication in a noisy kitchen environment.
• Comfort with long shifts and physical demands.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Executive Chef to plan and execute the culinary vision.
• Oversee preparation and ensure precision and presentation.
• Lead workflow during service and maintain kitchen momentum.
• Uphold food safety, cleanliness, and sanitation standards.
• Train and mentor staff to sustain culinary excellence.
• Work 50–55 hours per week, including evenings and weekends.

Skills

High-end dining experience

Sous Chef experience

Team leadership

Clear communication in noisy kitchen

Large kitchen mobility

Safety and sanitation leadership

Job description

Overview

Sous Chef – Milk & Honey | Thompson Restaurants

Bring your culinary leadership to the heart of Milk & Honey.

Milk & Honey, part of Thompson Restaurants, is looking for a passionate and driven Sous Chef to take the lead in our kitchen and help create the food and experiences our guests come back for. This is more than a traditional Sous Chef role—you’ll be a key leader in the restaurant, responsible for driving kitchen operations, developing your team, and ensuring every dish meets the high standards our guests expect.

As the kitchen leader, you’ll work closely with the General Manager and culinary team to keep the operation running smoothly, from daily prep and service execution to ordering, inventory, food quality, sanitation, and cost control. You’ll lead by example, create a positive and accountable kitchen culture, and inspire your team to perform at their best.

If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, take pride in great food and great people, and are ready to step into a leadership role where your impact is seen every day, Milk & Honey wants you in our kitchen.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Executive Chef in planning and executing the culinary vision for Milk & Honey.
• Oversee food preparation and ensure dishes are executed with precision and creativity.
• Collaborate with the kitchen team to maintain a smooth workflow during service hours.
• Uphold the highest standards of food safety, cleanliness, and sanitation.
• Train and mentor kitchen staff to maintain excellence in culinary techniques and presentation.
• Requires 50–55 hours per week, including evenings and weekends as business needs dictate.

Qualifications

• Experience in a high class dining experience.
• Experience as a sous chef.
• A great attitude and work ethic.
• 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 TermDisability
• 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:

Milk & Honey by Thompson Restaurants is a vibrant, elevated dining destination known for its soulful flavors, warm hospitality, and energetic atmosphere. As part of Thompson Hospitality, Milk & Honey combines bold, creative cuisine with genuine Southern-inspired hospitality to create memorable guest experiences.

Thompson Hospitality is one of the largest restaurants, food service, and facilities management companies in the country. We are highly built upon our values, do the right thing, do the best you can, and treat others how you want to be treated, which are shaped by more than 33 years of relationships with our clients, guests, and communities. We offer competitive benefits, see our website for more. https://www.thompsonhospitality.com/

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.