Sous Chef | High-Volume French Restaurant | NYC

Full Time
posted today

SOUS CHEF

High-Volume French Brasserie | Midtown Manhattan, NYC

Full-Time | In-Person | $85,000 – $90,000


ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

A high-volume, upscale French brasserie in the heart of Midtown Manhattan is seeking a skilled and experienced Sous Chef to support culinary leadership and drive excellence across all back-of-house operations. This is a hands-on kitchen leadership role for a disciplined, team-oriented culinary professional who leads from the line, communicates clearly, and remains calm and decisive during demanding services.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Kitchen Operations & Service

  • Lead daily kitchen operations across prep and service, ensuring every station is staffed, organized, and ready on time
  • Execute recipes, plating standards, portion controls, and presentation consistently at every service
  • Work actively on the line during peak periods; identify bottlenecks and direct the team with urgency and professionalism
  • Conduct pre-shift meetings, station checks, and end-of-shift walkthroughs; communicate priorities, menu changes, and special events
  • Follow up on equipment issues, safety hazards, and food quality concerns, escalating urgent matters immediately

Team Leadership & Development

  • Train, coach, and evaluate cooks, porters, and junior supervisors
  • Reinforce accountability, teamwork, and respectful conduct throughout the kitchen
  • Assist with scheduling, deployment, and daily labor management according to forecasted business levels
  • Foster a professional, disciplined, and team-oriented kitchen culture

Cost Control & Compliance

  • Support ordering, receiving, inventory, and proper product rotation
  • Control food cost through correct yields, portioning, prep levels, and waste tracking
  • Maintain NYC Department of Health standards including temperature control, labeling, sanitation, allergen awareness, and HACCP procedures

Menu & Culinary Development

  • Partner with the Executive Chef and Chef de Cuisine on menu development, recipe testing, special events, and operational improvements

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Minimum 3 years of progressive culinary leadership experience; high-volume restaurant or brasserie experience strongly preferred
  • Strong foundation in classic French cooking techniques, butchery, sauces, garde manger, and high-volume production
  • Proven ability to lead a diverse team, prioritize under pressure, and maintain standards during busy services
  • Working knowledge of food cost, inventory, purchasing, scheduling, and labor controls
  • Current NYC Food Protection Certificate, or ability to obtain one promptly
  • Clear verbal and written communication skills; bilingual English/Spanish a plus but not required
  • Culinary degree helpful but not required

PHYSICAL & SCHEDULING REQUIREMENTS

  • Ability to stand and work in a hot, fast-paced kitchen for extended periods and lift up to 50 lbs safely
  • Availability for early mornings, late nights, weekends, holidays, and extended shifts as needed


Job Information

Offered Salary
85k/year - 90k/year
Categories
Culinary