Assistant To Chef Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

About Us

For more than 50 years, our family-owned Italian restaurant has served traditional Italian dishes made with quality ingredients, time-tested recipes, and genuine hospitality. We take pride in our loyal guests, long-standing employees, and welcoming, family-style atmosphere.

We are seeking an experienced, dependable, and hands-on Sous Chef to help lead our kitchen team and maintain the consistency and quality our restaurant has been known for across generations.

Position Summary

The Sous Chef works closely with the ownership to oversee daily kitchen operations. This position requires strong cooking skills, organization, leadership, and the ability to remain calm and focused during busy services.

The ideal candidate respects traditional Italian cooking while helping the kitchen operate efficiently, safely, and consistently. This is a working leadership position, and the Sous Chef will be expected to cook on the line, supervise preparation, train employees, and step into any kitchen station when needed.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Executive Chef with daily kitchen operations, food preparation, cooking, and service.
• Lead the kitchen team during assigned shifts and ensure smooth, timely ticket execution.
• Prepare and supervise the preparation of Italian dishes, including sauces, pasta, seafood, meats, vegetables, soups, and daily specials.
• Maintain the quality, flavor, portion size, and presentation of every dish.
• Ensure recipes and established restaurant standards are followed consistently.
• Train, coach, and support cooks, prep cooks, dishwashers, and other kitchen employees.
• Help create prep lists, station assignments, and production schedules.
• Monitor food inventory and communicate ordering needs to the ownership.
• Assist with receiving deliveries and checking products for quality, quantity, and freshness.
• Reduce food waste through proper preparation, storage, rotation, and portion control.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen at all times.
• Enforce food safety, sanitation, labeling, temperature-control, and allergen procedures.
• Help manage kitchen opening and closing duties.
• Address kitchen problems quickly and professionally.
• Communicate effectively with servers, managers, ownership, and other team members.
• Support menu development, seasonal specials, catering, and private events as needed.
• Take charge of kitchen operations when the Executive Chef is unavailable.

Qualifications

• At least 2–3 years of professional kitchen experience; prior Sous Chef or kitchen leadership experience is preferred.
• Experience with Italian cuisine, scratch cooking, pasta, sauces, seafood, and sauté cooking is strongly preferred.
• Strong line-cooking and food-preparation skills.
• Ability to lead by example and work respectfully with a close-knit team.
• Excellent organization, communication, and time-management skills.
• Ability to maintain quality and composure during high-volume service.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, inventory control, and proper food storage.
• Dependable, punctual, and willing to take responsibility.
• Flexible availability, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Food safety certification preferred or willingness to obtain one.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to approximately 50 pounds.

The Right Person for Our Restaurant

Our ideal Sous Chef is someone who:

• Takes pride in traditional, well-prepared food.
• Understands the importance of consistency in a long-established restaurant.
• Treats employees and guests with respect.
• Leads through teamwork rather than ego.
• Values cleanliness, preparation, and attention to detail.
• Is comfortable working directly with restaurant owners and family members.
• Wants to become a trusted, long-term part of a family-owned business.

What We Offer

• A stable position with a respected restaurant that has served the community for more than 50 years.
• A supportive, family-oriented work environment.
• Competitive compensation based on experience.
• Staff meals and employee discounts.
• Opportunities for increased responsibility and professional growth.
• [Paid time off, health benefits, retirement plan, bonuses, or other benefits offered.]

Anna's Ristorante Italiano Pasta, Vino & Pizza was established in 1978 here in Smithfield. We work in a made from scratch kitchen, with recipes that have been in the family for generations. Anna's offer a unique wine list, nightly specials, pastas, seafood, pizzas, calzones and Strombolis baked in our stone hearth ovens.