Sous Chef Job Description

Sous Chef Job Description
If you enjoy cooking and know your way around a kitchen, you might flourish in a career as a
sous chef. Sous chefs work directly under head chefs and generally assume many of their
duties in their absence. The food preparation industry is often a fast-paced one, and sous
chefs typically must make quick decisions, work well under pressure, and handle both
cooking and administrative duties. Whether they are directly preparing the food or
supervising those who are, sous chefs are responsible for food quality and presentation.
They are usually full-time employees who might work long hours, particularly evenings and
.weekends. Creative, quick-thinking decision makers often make successful sous chefs
Sous Chef Duties and Responsibilities
A sous chef’s duties and responsibilities might not always be the same at every restaurant,
but there are similarities no matter the place of employment. Based on job listings we
:examined, main duties associated with this job include
Prepare Entrees, Side Dishes, and Other Menu Items
Supervising the preparation of various dishes is the chief responsibility of a sous chef. Sous
chefs create and follow recipes for different styles of main foods, side items, and desserts.
Preparing and presenting dishes with proper garnishments and portions fall directly to sous
chefs. They also make sure all food is cooked thoroughly, that meals are delivered to tables
.in a timely manner, and, during their off hours, test new recipes
Maintain Inventory of Kitchen Supplies
From food supplies to utensils, sous chefs are often responsible for maintaining the proper
levels of the supplies needed to prepare menu items. Sous chefs place orders with vendors,
ensure that enough food preparation items are on hand to meet demand, rotate stock based
on freshness dates, and check incoming invoices to make sure that all ordered items have
.been delivered
Oversee Kitchen Staff and Employee Schedules
Sous chefs are in command of the kitchen when a head chef is not present. In this role, they
maintain kitchen operations by supervising cooking and waitstaff, assign tasks, train new
employees, and create employee schedules. They maintain proper coverage throughout
.different work shifts and resolve any employee conflicts
Assist with Menu Development
Sous chefs are often responsible for providing input into a restaurant’s menu. They suggest
dishes and recipes, keep up on trends in the industry to make sure their restaurant offers
popular food items, assist in creating daily specials, and review menus periodically to update
.offered items
Ensure Food Safety and Sanitation Standards are Met
Sous chefs ensure compliance with all federal and local food safety and sanitation laws and
regulations. This includes overseeing the cleaning and maintenance of food equipment, food
handling techniques, safety training for kitchen staff, and preventive maintenance
schedules. Sous chefs also meet with safety and sanitation inspectors as needed, as well as
.maintain inspection records and documents
Sous Chef Skills and Qualifications
Dedicated self-starters who enjoy working with others and possess time management skills
are often best suited for careers as sous chefs. Some type of formal education and a degree
in culinary arts is typically favored by employers. The following skills are most commonly
:sought after by those seeking to hire a sous chef
Culinary expertise – sous chefs must be adept at applying various cooking techniques and
styles, such as French, Italian, and Mediterranean. They should have the ability to cook
appetizers, stocks, soups, desserts, and entrees as requested. In addition, sous chefs should
be knowledgeable about preparing special dishes, such as low-sugar, low-sodium, or
vegetarian meals for diners with dietary restrictions
Knife skills – from cutting vegetables to meats, sous chefs should be able to handle a variety
of knives, such as meat cleavers and carving knives, as they are called upon to apply
appropriate cutting techniques as required
Communication – sous chefs must demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills
to effectively give orders to kitchen staff, interact with customers, and create written reports
focusing on supply orders and inventory control
Management/leadership – as the “second-in-command” when head chefs are absent, sous
chefs need to display strong leadership skills in the management of employees and kitchen
operations
Planning and organizing – in order to run their kitchens efficiently—from preparing menus to
staying on top of the calendar to organizing all aspects of the kitchen—it’s essential for sous
chefs to be detail-oriented planners
Customer service – all restaurants thrive on customer satisfaction. Sous chefs are sometimes
the “face of the kitchen” to patrons; thus, sous chefs should show patience, concern, and
sincerity when dealing with customer complaints and making certain restaurant patrons are
satisfied with their orders
Attention to detail – sous chefs must follow precise recipes, ensure the quality presentation
of dishes, and maintain adequate employee schedules, all of which require them to be
particularly detail-oriented
Collaboration – to make sure restaurant operations run smoothly, sous chefs must work
closely and efficiently with head chefs, restaurant managers, waitstaff, junior cooks, and
other employees
Multitasking – sous chefs must prioritize tasks in their meal preparation while balancing the
needs of waitstaff and customers. Being able to think on one’s feet and multitask is crucial to
the success of any busy kitchen
Sous Chef Education and Training
Most employers prefer candidates for sous chef positions to possess at least an associate’s
and sometimes a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts. In these programs, sous chefs receive a
combination of classroom and hands-on learning, the latter through lab classes, internships,
and apprenticeship programs. Coursework typically includes cooking techniques and
methods, food nutrition, and food service management, as well as basic business courses,
such as accounting. Some restaurants might offer on-the-job training in specific cooking,
.safety, and service protocols

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Sous Chef Job Description

Sous Chef Duties and Responsibilities

Prepare Entrees, Side Dishes, and Other Menu Items

Maintain Inventory of Kitchen Supplies

Oversee Kitchen Staff and Employee Schedules

Assist with Menu Development

Ensure Food Safety and Sanitation Standards are Met

Sous Chef Skills and Qualifications

Sous Chef Education and Training

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