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Executive Sous Chef Jobs in Rochelle, IL (NOW HIRING)

Executive Sous Chef

Dekalb, IL · On-site

$63K - $81K/yr

Role Overview The Executive Sous Chef supports culinary operations for a highprofile corporate client in DeKalb, IL , delivering a refined, brandaligned dining experience. Reporting directly to the ...

Partner with the Executive Chef on menu planning, recipe development, seasonal offerings, and premium club food presentations * Ensure all recipes, portion standards, preparation methods, and plating ...

Partner with the Executive Chef on menu planning, recipe development, seasonal offerings, and premium club food presentations * Ensure all recipes, portion standards, preparation methods, and plating ...

Partner with the Executive Chef on menu planning, recipe development, seasonal offerings, and premium club food presentations * Ensure all recipes, portion standards, preparation methods, and plating ...

Partner with the Executive Chef on menu planning, recipe development, seasonal offerings, and premium club food presentations * Ensure all recipes, portion standards, preparation methods, and plating ...

The Opportunity The Executive Chef provides management to all levels of the business operation within the kitchen and oversees the direction of the culinary team's daily activities in accordance with ...

Chef Manager

Dixon, IL · On-site

$60K - $65K/yr

The Chef Manager position requires experience in the food service industry as well as client relations and leadership skills, and basic accounting practices. The Chef Manager position will assist in ...

Executive Sous Chef information

See Rochelle, IL salary details

$41.3K

$73.8K

$97.2K

How much do executive sous chef jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for executive sous chef in Rochelle, IL is $73,776.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $63,200.00 and $80,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an executive sous chef?

To thrive as an Executive Sous Chef, you need advanced culinary skills, experience in kitchen management, and formal culinary training or certification. Mastery of commercial kitchen equipment, inventory management systems, and food safety regulations is typically required. Leadership, creativity, and strong organizational skills are essential soft skills for managing teams and delivering high-quality dishes. These abilities ensure efficient kitchen operations, consistent food quality, and a positive dining experience for guests.

What is an executive sous chef?

As an executive sous chef, you are second-in-command in a restaurant’s kitchen, answering to the executive chef. Your responsibilities are supervising kitchen staff and coordinating the food production process. Your job duties include enforcing health and safety standards, training sous chefs and other staff, assisting with food preparation, checking the quality of the work of the line cooks, and communicating with front-of-house managers to ensure a high level of service. Most executive sous chefs have a degree from a culinary school. However, your most important qualification is proven cooking and managing experience. You need strong organizational skills and interpersonal skills and the ability to work under pressure to succeed in the competitive restaurant industry.

What is the difference between Executive Sous Chef vs Sous Chef?

AspectExecutive Sous ChefSous Chef
Credentials Culinary degree, experience in kitchen management Culinary training, experience in food preparation
Work Environment High-end restaurants, hotels, large kitchens Daily kitchen operations, food prep
Role Focus Assists Executive Chef, manages kitchen staff Prepares dishes, supervises cooks

The Executive Sous Chef supports the Executive Chef and oversees kitchen operations, while the Sous Chef focuses on food preparation and supervising cooks. Both roles require culinary skills, but the Executive Sous Chef has more managerial responsibilities and often works in larger, upscale establishments.

How does an executive sous chef typically balance administrative duties with hands-on kitchen responsibilities?

As an Executive Sous Chef, balancing administrative tasks with active kitchen leadership is a key challenge. You'll oversee inventory management, scheduling, and compliance with food safety standards while also being present on the kitchen floor to supervise staff, assist with prep, and ensure quality control. Effective time management and delegation are essential, as you'll need to support the Executive Chef, mentor junior team members, and respond to real-time kitchen demands, especially during peak service hours.
What cities near Rochelle, IL are hiring for Executive Sous Chef jobs? Cities near Rochelle, IL with the most Executive Sous Chef job openings:
Infographic showing various Executive Sous Chef job openings in Rochelle, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 7% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,776 per year, or $35.5 per hour.

Executive Sous Chef

Sodexo

Dekalb, IL • On-site

$63K - $81K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago


Sodexo rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 1,134 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

337th of 481 rated business services


Job description

Role Overview

The Executive Sous Chef supports culinary operations for a highprofile corporate client in DeKalb, IL, delivering a refined, brandaligned dining experience. Reporting directly to the Executive Chef, this role helps oversee daily production, ensures flawless menu execution, and maintains the client's unique culinary identity across all service periods.

The Executive Sous Chef plays a critical role in upholding quality, consistency, and presentation standards while supporting BOH operations, food safety compliance, inventory management, and cost control. This position provides handson kitchen leadership, mentors culinary staff, and drives a culture of excellence in a fastpaced, hospitalitydriven corporate dining environment.

As a visible leader within the culinary team, the Executive Sous Chef collaborates closely with frontofhouse partners, anticipates operational needs, and contributes to elevating the workplace dining experience through thoughtful execution, strong teamwork, and brandaligned service.

What You'll Do
  • Oversee Daily Production - Lead daytoday kitchen operations, ensuring precise, consistent, and timely execution across all service periods.

  • Uphold Culinary Standards - Maintain the client's culinary identity through exceptional quality, presentation, and flavor consistency.

  • Lead and Develop Culinary Staff - Mentor cooks and kitchen teams, providing handson training, coaching, and performance support.

  • Ensure Safety and Compliance - Drive food safety, sanitation, audit readiness, and adherence to all regulatory and corporate standards.

  • Manage Inventory and Costs - Support ordering, inventory control, waste reduction, and costmanagement practices to maintain operational efficiency.

  • Collaborate Across Teams - Partner with FOH leaders on service flow, events, and communication to deliver a seamless, elevated workplace dining experience.

What We Offer

Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

  • Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
  • 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
  • Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
  • Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement

More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.

What You Bring
  • Culinary Leadership - Proven ability to lead kitchen teams with confidence, professionalism, and a commitment to excellence in a fastpaced corporate dining setting.

  • HighLevel Production Skills - Strong background in largescale production, menu execution, and maintaining consistency across all service periods.

  • Quality & Presentation Focus - Deep understanding of refined culinary standards, plating expectations, and brandaligned presentation.

  • Food Safety Expertise - Solid knowledge of food safety, sanitation, HACCP, and audit readiness, with a track record of maintaining compliant BOH operations.

  • Operational & Cost Awareness - Experience supporting inventory control, waste reduction, ordering accuracy, and costmanagement practices.

  • Collaborative Mindset - Ability to partner effectively with FOH teams, culinary leadership, and client stakeholders to deliver a seamless, elevated dining experience.

Who We Are

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.

Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you're happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.

Qualifications & Requirements

Minimum Education Requirement - Associate's Degree or equivalent experience
Minimum Management Experience - 2 years
Minimum Functional Experience - 1 year work experience in food or culinary services including restaurants, fast food, vending, catering services, institutional services, mall food courts, etc.


    Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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