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Side Chef Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Sous | Chicago

Personal Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$35 - $45/hr

On the customer side, we believe having your own personal chef is the best way to eat great food on an everyday basis, and eat your ideal diet (whatever you imagine that to be). We work to help our ...

Vendador

Commis Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$18/hr

If you are looking to learn what it takes to run a private chef operation, this is a rare seat ... The operational side of private dining that never shows up in a classroom: logistics, client ...

New

Sushi-San

Chef de Cuisine

Chicago, IL · On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

... a side of old-school hip-hop and ice-cold beer. Overview Sushi san River North is Hiring Now: CHEF ... de CUISINE! Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants is looking for a Chef de Cuisine with 2 years of Chef ...

Sushi-San

Chef de Cuisine

Chicago, IL · On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

... a side of old-school hip-hop and ice-cold beer. Overview Sushi san River North is Hiring Now: CHEF ... de CUISINE! Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants is looking for a Chef de Cuisine with 2 years of Chef ...

Ancho & Agave

Sous Chef (7649)

Lombard, IL · On-site

$55K - $65K/yr

Sous Chef responsibilities include but are not limited to creating exceptional culinary experiences ... side of fun. We're more than just tacos, amigos and tequila ... we're the champions of bringing ...

MAXBY HOSPITALITY INC

Sous Chef (7649)

Lombard, IL · On-site

$55K - $65K/yr

Sous Chef responsibilities include but are not limited to creating exceptional culinary experiences ... side of fun. We're more than just tacos, amigos and tequila ... we're the champions of bringing ...

Ancho & Agave

Sous Chef (6784)

Bloomington, IL · On-site

$50K - $65K/yr

Sous Chef responsibilities include but are not limited to creating exceptional culinary experiences ... side of fun. We're more than just tacos, amigos and tequila ... we're the champions of bringing ...

MAXBY HOSPITALITY INC

Sous Chef (6784)

Bloomington, IL · On-site

$50K - $65K/yr

Sous Chef responsibilities include but are not limited to creating exceptional culinary experiences ... side of fun. We're more than just tacos, amigos and tequila ... we're the champions of bringing ...

Vendador

Sous Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$65K/yr

Founded in 2021 by Chef Francis Pascal, we've rapidly become the gold standard for luxury private ... Must be willing to take on administrative tasks or side projects at any time, but especially during ...

Benihana - Chicago

Teppan Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$19 - $20/hr

At Benihana your chef career will include more than crafting incredible meals. You'll learn how to ... Prepares and sets up food for cooking and side orders. Essential Functions andResponsibilities: In ...

Wooden Paddle

Sous Chef

Lemont, IL · On-site

$50K - $60K/yr

... very hands-on, side-by-side coaching every shift. Every day, you'll be in the thick of it ... Our Sous Chef will work 5 days, and typically 45-ish hours per week. WILL YOU FIT IN HERE? Our team ...

Wooden Paddle

Sous Chef

Lemont, IL · On-site

$50K - $60K/yr

... very hands-on, side-by-side coaching every shift. Every day, you'll be in the thick of it ... Our Sous Chef will work 5 days, and typically 45-ish hours per week. WILL YOU FIT IN HERE? Our team ...

Benihana

Teppan Chef

Lombard, IL · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

At Benihana your chef career will include more than crafting incredible meals. You'll learn how to ... Prepares and sets up food for cooking and side orders. Essential Functions and Responsibilities: In ...

Benihana

Teppan Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$19 - $20/hr

At Benihana your chef career will include more than crafting incredible meals. You'll learn how to ... Prepares and sets up food for cooking and side orders. Essential Functions and Responsibilities: In ...

Benihana - Chicago

Teppan Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$19 - $20/hr

At Benihana your chef career will include more than crafting incredible meals. You'll learn how to ... Prepares and sets up food for cooking and side orders. Essential Functions and Responsibilities: In ...

Benihana

Teppan Chef

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

At Benihana your chef career will include more than crafting incredible meals. You'll learn how to ... Prepares and sets up food for cooking and side orders. Essential Functions and Responsibilities: In ...

Benihana - Schaumburg

Teppan Chef

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

At Benihana your chef career will include more than crafting incredible meals. You'll learn how to ... Prepares and sets up food for cooking and side orders. Essential Functions and Responsibilities: In ...

Benihana - Lombard

Teppan Chef

Lombard, IL · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

At Benihana your chef career will include more than crafting incredible meals. You'll learn how to ... Prepares and sets up food for cooking and side orders. Essential Functions and Responsibilities: In ...

Compass Group

TRAVELING SOUS CHEF

Chicago, IL · On-site

$55K - $60K/yr

This is a strong opportunity for a talented Sous Chef who wants to expand their experience, learn a new side of the industry, and build a long-term career with Morrison Healthcare. Apply to Morrison ...

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Side Chef information

What is a side chef?

A side chef, often referred to as a sous chef, is the second-in-command in a professional kitchen. They assist the head chef in managing kitchen operations, supervising other staff, and ensuring that dishes are prepared to high standards. Side chefs are responsible for tasks like preparing ingredients, overseeing cooking stations, and helping with menu planning. Their role is essential for maintaining kitchen efficiency and food quality.

What are some common challenges a side chef faces when supporting the head chef in a busy kitchen?

As a Side Chef, one of the most common challenges is managing multiple tasks simultaneously, such as prepping ingredients, ensuring food quality, and assisting with plating, all while maintaining clear communication with the Head Chef and other team members. The fast-paced environment requires strong organizational skills and the ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities or sudden high-volume orders. Additionally, Side Chefs are often responsible for stepping in during absences or rush periods, which demands flexibility and a strong understanding of kitchen operations. Developing efficient workflows and fostering positive teamwork are key to overcoming these challenges.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a side chef, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Side Chef, you need a solid understanding of culinary techniques, food safety, and kitchen operations, often gained through culinary school or relevant kitchen experience. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, recipe management software, and safe food handling certifications is commonly required. Strong teamwork, time management, and communication skills help Side Chefs excel in fast-paced kitchen environments. These abilities ensure efficient food preparation, maintain high standards of quality and safety, and support overall kitchen success.

What is the difference between Side Chef vs Line Cook?

AspectSide ChefLine Cook
CredentialsFood safety certification, culinary trainingFood safety certification, culinary training
Work EnvironmentAssists main kitchen staff, supports prep and platingPrepares dishes on the line during service
Employer & Industry UsageRestaurants, catering, hotelsRestaurants, hotels, catering
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between a Side Chef and a Line Cook is that a Side Chef typically supports the kitchen team by assisting with prep, plating, and other tasks, while a Line Cook focuses on preparing dishes during service on the kitchen line. Both roles require culinary skills and certifications, but the Side Chef often has a broader support role, whereas the Line Cook is more directly involved in cooking during busy hours.

What are popular job titles related to Side Chef jobs in Illinois?

For Side Chef jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Side Chef jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Side Chef jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Side Chef jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Side Chef job openings:

Side Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Side Chef job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 54% Full Time, 35% Part Time, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution.

Personal Chef

Sous | Chicago

Chicago, IL • On-site

$35 - $45/hr

Other

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

Sous is an in-home personal chef marketplace, connecting chefs with clients for weekly meal prep and special occasions. Our website is www.sous.so

Chefs set their own prices and hours, and serve their own menus. Typical hourly rates for new chefs is around $35-45 per hour.

We are seeking talented, personable chefs with excellent personal presentation, culinary and hospitality skills.

You would be a good fit if you:

  • Have a strong resume. Our customers want chefs with high-end culinary experience.
  • Enjoy interacting with customers. Chefs work in client's homes, and need to be open to customer input and feedback.
  • Excel at menu development. You'll create custom menus for your clients each week, as well as bespoke menus for private events.
  • Present yourself well. This is a customer-facing role, so maintaining a professional appearance at all times is extremely important. The app will also have a focus on short-form video content, so you should be able to speak to camera confidently.
  • Are well organized. You'll be managing relationships and orders with multiple clients at once.

Weekly Meal Prep Service

For meal prep services, chefs will be expected to provide the following services for clients:

  • Design a custom menu each week, with input from your customer
  • Do the grocery shopping
  • Go to the client's home
  • Cook and stock the fridge with meals for the week
  • Clean and leave the kitchen spotless

Private Events

Private event services will be the same as the above, with the exception that instead of stocking the fridge, the chef will be expected to execute a family-style dinner or plated dinner in the client's home.

About Sous

Launched in 2024 in Chicago, our app is an all-in-one platform for personal chefs that allows you to:

  • get orders for weekly meal prep, family-style dinners, and elegant plated dinners
  • send proposals with custom menus (or choose from a catalog of pre-made templates)
  • showcase your personality, experience, menus and reviews on your profile page
  • chat with customers
  • manage weekly and private event orders and collect payment
  • receive feedback and reviews

Our Mission

We aim to help chefs escape the low-paying restaurant grind, work for themselves, earn more, and lead better lives.

On the customer side, we believe having your own personal chef is the best way to eat great food on an everyday basis, and eat your ideal diet (whatever you imagine that to be). We work to help our customers de-stress, eat better and live longer.

More detail about Sous | Chicago part of Sous, please visit https://culinaryagents.com/entities/844070-Sous-%257C-Chicago