Sous Chef - Obama Presidential Center
Position Title: Sous Chef - Obama Presidential Center
Salary: $75,000 - $80,000 / year
Our Passion is Food!
At Bon Appetit Management Company we are committed to two things, great food and outstanding service! At Bon Appetit you won't find our managers referring to a corporate recipe book or our chefs microwaving the lunch special. We do not have standardized recipes or central commissaries, instead, our chefs and managers are expected to stay abreast of current culinary trends and bring cutting edge food into their cafes. We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the freedom to be creative, take risks, and truly shine. We are committed to our staff growing, trying new things, and learning all that they can. Our rapid growth and breadth of accounts translates into exciting opportunities for our people!
This position is eligible for an Employee Referral Bonus! If you know someone that is qualified for this role, please use the ‘job search’ in PeopleHub to refer your referral and email them a link to apply. Your referral will be able to apply by clicking the link in the email. You can check the status through your profile, accessible via Careers in PeopleHub, by clicking on ‘referral tracking.’ For Employee Referral guidelines, FAQs and the Compass Employee Referral Policy, email MyReferral@compass-usa.com.
Job Summary
The Sous Chef will play a key leadership role in the day-to-day culinary operations at the Obama Presidential Center. This position is ideal for a culinary professional with experience in high-volume restaurants, hotels, catering, or hospitality environments who thrives in a fast-paced, guest-focused setting. The Sous Chef will support culinary execution across multiple service styles, including retail dining, special events, and catering functions, while maintaining the highest standards of food quality, presentation, and operational excellence.
This role partners closely with the Executive Chef to oversee kitchen operations, support team development, execute exceptional guest experiences, and ensure consistency across all culinary offerings. The ideal candidate is hands-on, organized, creative, and passionate about hospitality and service.
Key Responsibilities:
- Support the Executive Chef in overseeing daily kitchen operations, including food production, preparation, execution, and presentation
- Lead and execute catering events, receptions, and high-profile functions with a strong focus on quality and hospitality
- Assist with menu planning, recipe development, seasonal offerings, and culinary innovation
- Supervise and support hourly culinary associates, ensuring efficient operations and adherence to culinary standards
- Maintain strong food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety practices at all times
- Assist with ordering, inventory management, waste reduction, and food cost controls
- Help implement new culinary programs, concepts, and initiatives in partnership with culinary and operational leadership
- Ensure consistency and excellence across high-volume meal periods and special events
- Foster a positive, team-oriented kitchen culture focused on professionalism, accountability, and guest satisfaction
Preferred Qualifications:
- Associate degree in Culinary Arts or equivalent combination of education and culinary experience
- Progressive culinary leadership experience in catering, hotels, restaurants, hospitality venues, or high-volume foodservice environments
- Strong catering and banquet execution experience highly preferred
- Experience supporting complex culinary operations with multiple service styles and large guest counts
- Knowledge of current culinary and hospitality trends with a commitment to quality, presentation, and guest experience
- Strong understanding of food safety, sanitation, production, and cost management practices
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-expectation environment while remaining organized and detail-oriented
- Strong communication, leadership, and team development skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Outlook, and basic computer systems
- ServSafe Certification preferred
Apply to Bon Appetit today!
Bon Appetit is a member of Compass Group USA.
Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story
Associates at Bon Appetit are offered many fantastic benefits.
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Life Insurance/ AD
- Disability Insurance
- Retirement Plan
- Paid Time Off
- Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
- Associate Shopping Program
- Health and Wellness Programs
- Discount Marketplace
- Identity Theft Protection
- Pet Insurance
- Commuter Benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
- Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis
- Paid Parental Leave
- Personal Leave
Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.
https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_BAMCO.pdf
Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.
Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.
Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Bon Appetit maintains a drug-free workplace.
Nearest Major Market: Chicago
Job Segment:
Event Planning, Food Service, Sous Chef, Kitchen, Culinary, Hospitality
