Sous Chef | Three Leaf Catering

Notre Dame Hospitality; Notre Dame (IN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Notre Dame is seeking a Sous Chef with Three Leaf Catering to lead a dynamic, high‑volume catering program spanning events, retail café production, and special ceremonies. You will balance hands‑on cooking with strategic planning to deliver exceptional guest experiences.

The role requires adaptability, precision, and creativity, with leadership across event execution, plating, and service coordination in a fast-paced university setting.

Qualifications

• Education: Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts (or equivalent).
• Experience: 3–5 years of progressive culinary experience in high‑volume food service.
• Leadership: Demonstrated experience leading teams in a kitchen or production setting.
• Knowledge: Expert-level understanding of food safety, sanitation, and production systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead hands-on food production across catering formats, café offerings, and events with precision and adaptability.
• Oversee on-site catering events, lead setup, execution, and breakdown with high standards.
• Direct and coach culinary staff and event teams, fostering accountability and growth.
• Coordinate production schedules, manage inventory and prep allocation across service streams.
• Maintain strict food safety and sanitation standards across all environments.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

High-volume cooking

Food safety knowledge

Education

Associate or Bachelor in Culinary Arts

Job description

• Notre Dame, IN, United States

Three Leaf Catering, VP-UOES-Hospitality & Dining

• Notre Dame, IN, United States
• Full-time

Sous Chef | Three Leaf Catering

Company Description

The University of Notre Dame is more than a workplace; it is a vibrant, mission-driven community where every employee is valued and supported. Rooted in a tradition of excellence and inspired by our Catholic character, Notre Dame is committed to fostering an environment of care that nurtures the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Here, you will find a deep sense of belonging, a culture that prioritizes well-being, and the opportunity to grow your career while being a force for good in the world. Whether contributing to world‑class research, shaping the student experience, or supporting the University’s mission in other ways, you will be part of a dedicated team working to make a meaningful impact on campus and beyond. At Notre Dame, your work matters, and so do you!

Job Description

The Sous Chef within Three Leaf Catering is responsible for leading and executing a diverse, high-volume catering program that spans catering events, retail café production, action stations, athletic events, tailgates, weddings, University Presidential events, formal galas, casual buffets and more. This role requires a hands‑on culinary leader who thrives in a fast‑paced, constantly evolving environment where adaptability, precision, and creativity are essential.

Success in this role requires the ability to seamlessly transition between day‑to‑day production and elevated event execution while maintaining exceptional standards of quality, presentation, and hospitality across all service formats. The Sous Chef must be highly versatile—equally comfortable producing for a satellite café, leading a live action station, or executing refined plated service for high‑profile events.

This position plays a critical role in shaping the guest experience and requires strong collaboration, real‑time problem‑solving, and the ability to pivot quickly in response to changing menus, client expectations, and event conditions.

Key Responsibilities & Time Allocation

35% – Culinary Execution & Event Production

Lead hands‑on food production across all catering formats, including daily café offerings, action stations, and high‑end events. Execute menus with precision while maintaining the flexibility to adjust in real time based on event flow, client needs, and service demands. Ensure consistent quality, presentation, and timing across multiple simultaneous service channels.

25% – Event Execution & On‑Site Leadership

Oversee and actively participate in on‑site catering events, including athletic functions, tailgates, weddings, galas, and presidential‑level service. Lead event setup, execution, and breakdown while maintaining composure and high standards in dynamic, high‑pressure environments. Serve as a visible culinary leader during service.

15% – Team Leadership & Development

Direct and support culinary staff and event teams, setting clear expectations and reinforcing accountability. Provide hands‑on coaching and training, particularly in event execution, plating, and service coordination. Foster a flexible, solutions‑oriented team culture.

15% – Operations, Logistics & Production Planning

Coordinate production schedules across multiple service streams, ensuring alignment with event timelines and café operations. Manage inventory, ordering, and prep allocation to support varied menus and fluctuating demand. Anticipate needs and adjust plans proactively.

10% – Food Safety, Sanitation & Quality Control

Maintain strict adherence to all food safety and sanitation standards across kitchen and off‑site environments. Ensure proper handling, transport, and service practices, keeping all operations clean, organized, and inspection‑ready.

Qualifications

Required

• Education: Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts (or a related field) or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience: Minimum of 3–5 years of progressive culinary experience in high‑volume food service environments.
• Leadership: Demonstrated experience leading teams in a kitchen or production setting.
• Knowledge: Expert‑level understanding of food safety, sanitation, and production systems.

Preferred

• Certification: American Culinary Federation (ACF) certification – Certified Sous Chef (CSC).
• Environment: Experience in collegiate or institutional dining environments.
• Scope: Experience supporting large‑scale, multi‑station service models.

Core Competencies

• Excellence in culinary execution and consistency.
• Strong team leadership and professional accountability.
• Operational efficiency and organizational mastery.
• Adaptability in high‑volume, fast‑paced environments.
• Deep commitment to hospitality and the student experience.

Work Environment

This is a back‑of‑house (BOH) position operating within a fast‑paced, high‑volume residential dining environment. The role requires flexibility, including availability for evenings, weekends, and peak service periods aligned with the University academic calendar.

Additional Information

Annual salary: Commensurate with Experience

As part of our commitment to attracting top talent, eligible new hires may receive a relocation or sign‑on incentive equal to a one‑time 10% of their annual base salary. Eligibility requirements and payment details will be discussed during the hiring process.

The University of Notre Dame seeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age in employment. Moreover, Notre Dame prohibits discrimination against veterans or disabled qualified individuals, and complies with 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). We strongly encourage applications from candidates attracted to a university with a Catholic identity.