Sous Chef - Santa Monica, CA

Compass Group USA; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Medical

Vision

Life Insurance/ AD

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state

Associate Shopping Program

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

FSAs

Personal Leave

Job summary

Bon Appetit Management Company is seeking a Sous Chef to lead daily kitchen operations under the Executive Chef. You will oversee food preparation, production, and supervision of hourly staff, while driving menu development and catering execution with a focus on quality and cost control.

Join a dynamic team committed to scratch cooking, culinary innovation, and exceptional guest experiences. Opportunity to mentor staff, plan events, and implement new culinary programs within a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Culinary Arts or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years of culinary or kitchen management in high-volume foodservice.
• Strong catering experience and ability to lead events.
• Knowledge of scratch cooking, batch production, and food cost controls.
• ServSafe Certification highly preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Outlook.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Executive Chef in daily kitchen operations, including food preparation, production, and supervision of back-of-house staff.
• Support cost control through inventory management, ordering, and minimizing waste.
• Help plan, develop, and implement menus that align with culinary standards and nutritional guidelines.
• Lead or support catered events with high-quality food, presentation, and service.
• Implement new culinary programs in collaboration with the executive team.
• Ensure food safety and sanitation guidelines (HACCP, allergies) are followed.
• Maintain high standards for cleanliness and organization in kitchen areas.
• Mentor hourly culinary staff to support skill development.
• Champion a safe, inclusive, and collaborative kitchen environment.

Skills

Leadership

Menu Development

Catering

HACCP Knowledge

Communication

Food Safety

Education

Associate degree in Culinary Arts or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Other Forms of Compensation: Comprehensive Benefits Package

Our Passion is Food! At Bon Appetit Management Company we are committed to two things, great food and outstanding service! At Bon Appetit you won't find our managers referring to a corporate recipe book or our chefs microwaving the lunch special. We do not have standardized recipes or central commissaries, instead, our chefs and managers are expected to stay abreast of current culinary trends and bring cutting edge food into their cafes. We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the freedom to be creative, take risks, and truly shine. We are committed to our staff growing, trying new things, and learning all that they can. Our rapid growth and breadth of accounts translates into exciting opportunities for our people!

Job Summary

As a Sous Chef, you will play a key leadership role in supporting culinary operations within a dynamic foodservice environment. Reporting to the Executive Chef, you will assist with daily food production, menu development, catering execution, inventory management, and the supervision of hourly kitchen associates. This is an exciting opportunity for an upbeat and motivated culinary professional with a passion for scratch cooking, creativity, and excellence in food quality and presentation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist the Executive Chef in daily kitchen operations, including food preparation, production, and supervision of back-of-house staff.
• Support cost control initiatives by assisting with inventory management, ordering, and minimizing food waste.
• Help plan, develop, and implement menus that align with company culinary standards, customer preferences, and nutritional guidelines.
• Lead or support the preparation and execution of catered events, ensuring high-quality food, presentation, and service.
• Implement and support new culinary programs and initiatives in collaboration with the Executive Chef and corporate culinary team.
• Ensure all food safety and sanitation guidelines are rigorously followed, including compliance with HACCP and allergy protocols.
• Maintain high standards for food quality, cleanliness, and organization in all kitchen areas.
• Participate in training and mentoring hourly culinary staff to support skill development and team culture.
• Champion a safe, inclusive, and collaborative kitchen environment that reflects company values.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate degree in Culinary Arts or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years of culinary or kitchen management experience in high-volume foodservice operations; institutional, hospitality, healthcare, corporate dining, or contract foodservice experience preferred.
• Strong catering experience and ability to lead special events.
• Knowledge of scratch cooking, batch production, and food cost controls.
• Demonstrated understanding of food trends, seasonal ingredients, and sustainable practices.
• ServSafe Certification highly preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Outlook, and internet-based tools.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with a strong sense of ownership and collaboration.
• Dedication to delivering exceptional guest experiences and a passion for creating delicious, high-quality meals.

Bon Appetit is a member of Compass Group USA.

Associates at Bon Appetit are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Personal Leave

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_BAMCO.pdf

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Bon Appetit maintains a drug-free workplace.