Sous Chef - Upscale Restaurant | 1878 On the Lake

Delavan Holdings; Delavan (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Lake Lawn Resort in Delavan, Wisconsin, seeks a Full-Time Sous Chef for 1878 on the Lake, our signature waterfront restaurant. You will partner with the Executive Chef to lead a high-volume kitchen, mentor staff, and ensure top-quality, safely prepared dishes.

Ideal candidates bring experience in upscale dining, strong leadership, and a solid grasp of food safety, with flexibility to work days, evenings, weekends, and holidays in a fast-paced hospitality setting.

Qualifications

• Leadership and coaching experience in a fast-paced, upscale kitchen.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and HACCP standards.
• Experience with inventory management, ordering, food costing, and waste reduction.
• Culinary degree preferred or equivalent professional experience; ServSafe certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Executive Chef with daily kitchen operations and planning.
• Lead and supervise the culinary team to ensure quality and service.
• Prepare and plate high-quality menu items according to recipes and standards.
• Develop seasonal menus, specials, and new recipes with the Executive Chef.
• Train and mentor line cooks, prep cooks, and new staff.
• Manage inventory, receive deliveries, and assist with ordering.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Food safety

HACCP

Culinary knowledge

Flexibility

Communication

Education

Culinary degree preferred

ServSafe Food Manager Certification preferred

Job description

Description

Lake Lawn Resort is seeking a talented and passionate Full-Time Sous Chef to join the culinary team at 1878 on the Lake, our signature waterfront restaurant. This leadership role works closely with the Executive Chef to deliver exceptional dining experiences through innovative cuisine, outstanding food quality, and efficient kitchen operations. The ideal candidate is a skilled culinary professional who thrives in a fast-paced, upscale restaurant environment and enjoys mentoring others while maintaining the highest standards of food safety and hospitality.

Position Details

• Job Title: Sous Chef – 1878 on the Lake
• Employment Type: Full-Time
• Shift: Flexible (Days, Evenings, Weekends, Holidays)
• Department: Culinary / Food & Beverage
• Location: Delavan, Wisconsin

What You'll Do

• Assist the Executive Chef with planning, organizing, and directing daily kitchen operations.
• Lead and supervise culinary team members to ensure efficient food preparation and exceptional service.
• Prepare, cook, and plate high-quality menu items according to established recipes and presentation standards.
• Maintain consistency in food quality, portion control, and presentation.
• Collaborate with the Executive Chef to develop seasonal menus, daily specials, and new recipes.
• Train, coach, and mentor line cooks, prep cooks, and new culinary team members.
• Oversee kitchen operations in the absence of the Executive Chef.
• Monitor inventory levels, receive deliveries, and assist with ordering food and kitchen supplies.
• Help manage food costs by minimizing waste and maintaining proper inventory controls.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, sanitation, and health department regulations.
• Accommodate guest dietary restrictions, allergies, and special requests with accuracy and care.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen environment.
• Partner with restaurant managers and front-of-house staff to ensure seamless service and an exceptional guest experience.
• Assist with menu costing, labor efficiency, and operational planning.
• Support banquet and special event culinary operations as business demands require.

Requirements

What We're Looking For

• Previous Sous Chef, Executive Sous Chef, Kitchen Manager, Lead Cook, or fine dining culinary leadership experience preferred.
• Experience in upscale dining, hotel, resort, or high-volume restaurant operations preferred.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
• Thorough knowledge of food preparation techniques, culinary trends, and kitchen operations.
• Strong understanding of food safety, sanitation, and HACCP standards.
• Experience with inventory management, ordering, food costing, and waste reduction.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Excellent communication, organization, and time management skills.
• Culinary degree preferred, or equivalent professional culinary experience.
• ServSafe Food Manager Certification preferred or the ability to obtain certification.
• Availability to work flexible schedules, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the shift.
• Frequent lifting, carrying, bending, reaching, pushing, and pulling.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Manual dexterity to safely operate commercial kitchen equipment.
• Ability to work in hot, humid, and fast-paced kitchen conditions.

Work Environment

• High-volume, upscale restaurant kitchen.
• Fast-paced hospitality environment requiring teamwork and attention to detail.
• Exposure to hot cooking equipment, steam, knives, cleaning chemicals, and commercial kitchen equipment.
• Frequent interaction with culinary and front-of-house team members.
• Weekend, evening, holiday, and special event availability required.

About Lake Lawn Resort

Located on Delavan Lake, Lake Lawn Resort is a premier destination for conferences, weddings, and events. Our set-up team plays a key role in delivering seamless and memorable experiences.