Sous Chef

The Talent Shop is partnering with a hospitality client to support the hiring of a Café Sous Chef for a high-volume café and bakery concept. This role is ideal for a culinary professional who thrives in a fast-paced, scratch-driven environment and enjoys mentoring kitchen teams while maintaining exceptional food quality and operational standards.

Key Responsibilities

Kitchen Leadership & Operations

• Support the Executive Chef/Head Chef in daily kitchen operations, including prep, service, and closing procedures
• Lead and supervise café and bakery kitchen staff during assigned shifts
• Ensure consistent execution of menu items according to recipes, specs, and presentation standards
• Step into a leadership role during service to maintain pace, quality, and teamwork

Food Quality & Production

• Oversee scratch cooking and baking production for café service
• Maintain high standards for taste, freshness, and visual presentation
• Assist with menu development, testing, and seasonal offerings as needed
• Monitor food waste and support cost-effective production practices

Training & Team Development

• Train and coach kitchen team members on techniques, recipes, and station execution
• Foster a collaborative, respectful, and accountable kitchen culture
• Support onboarding and ongoing development of new hires

Safety, Sanitation & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and health regulations
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen environment
• Enforce proper food handling, storage, and labeling procedures

Inventory & Ordering Support

• Assist with inventory management, ordering, and receiving
• Help maintain pars and minimize waste or shortages

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in a Sous Chef or senior line cook role within a café, bakery, or restaurant environment
• Strong knowledge of scratch cooking and/or baking operations
• Experience leading teams in a high-volume kitchen
• Solid understanding of food safety and sanitation standards
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work flexible schedules, including mornings, weekends, and holidays as needed

What Success Looks Like

• Smooth, efficient kitchen operations during service
• Consistently high-quality food and presentation
• A well-trained, engaged, and supported kitchen team
• Strong adherence to safety, cleanliness, and operational standards

Why This Role

This is an opportunity to step into a hands-on leadership role within a café-bakery environment that values quality, teamwork, and growth. The position offers meaningful responsibility, collaboration with culinary leadership, and the chance to help shape daily operations and team culture.