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Side Chef Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Sous Chef

Woodbury, NJ ยท On-site

$48K - $66K/yr

Our trained Executive Chefs work side by side with our Sous Chefs to season them into Executive Chefs for our newly developed restaurants. This job is great for someone who has the drive and ...

Sous Chef

Fort Lauderdale, FL ยท On-site

$55K - $65K/yr

The Kitchen Manager / Sous Chef oversees all aspects of the culinary side of the business including training, safety & sanitation, recipe adherence, orders, and prep lists. This person is a brand ...

Sous Chef

Fort Lauderdale, FL ยท On-site

$47K - $64K/yr

The Kitchen Manager / Sous Chef oversees all aspects of the culinary side of the business including training, safety & sanitation, recipe adherence, orders, and prep lists. This person is a brand ...

We are seeking an experienced & creative Chef, that is able to keep calm under pressure, think out side the box, cook everything from scratch and able to delegate to their team with clear and precise ...

We are hiring for an upscal restaurant in the upper east side a sushi line cook At least 4 years of ... chef Prepare all food products according to the prescribed methods, both during service and prior ...

$56K - $71K/yr

They work side by side with a talented culinary team, coaching, supporting, and bringing out the best in each person. With a sharp eye for detail and a passion for great food, the Sous Chef also ...

Sous Chef

Naperville, IL ยท On-site

$55K - $60K/yr

Sous Chef Opportunity An established hospitality group is seeking a hands-on Sous Chef for an ... You will work side by side with the culinary team during service, supporting execution, quality ...

Work side by side with ownership to grow a French restaurant * Develop menus, systems, and ... Chef * Strong foundation in French technique * Confident in launching kitchens and managing BOH ...

Sous Chef

Austin, TX ยท On-site

$48K - $65K/yr

Our guests come looking for a Texas-sized experience and our Sous Chefs curate the culinary side of that. We are a Texas Tried and Texas True restaurant delivering farm to fork, chef-driven cuisine.

Sous Chef

Phoenix, AZ

$56K - $71K/yr

They work side by side with a talented culinary team, coaching, supporting, and bringing out the best in each person. With a sharp eye for detail and a passion for great food, the Sous Chef also ...

Junior Sous Chefs have the ability to work every station efficiently in the kitchen. This is the ... Side by side training of their work group * Maintain focus and intensity in their workshop

Chef

Oxford, CT ยท On-site

We are seeking an experienced & creative Chef, that is able to keep calm under pressure, think out side the box, cook everything from scratch and able to delegate to their team with clear and precise ...

Junior Sous Chef

New York, NY ยท On-site

$68K - $70K/yr

Junior Sous Chefs have the ability to work every station efficiently in the kitchen. This is the ... Side by side training of their work group * Maintain focus and intensity in their workshop

Junior Sous Chefs have the ability to work every station efficiently in the kitchen. This is the ... Side by side training of their work group * Maintain focus and intensity in their workshop

Junior Sous Chef

Manhattan, NY ยท On-site

$68K - $70K/yr

Junior Sous Chefs have the ability to work every station efficiently in the kitchen. This is the ... Side by side training of their work group * Maintain focus and intensity in their workshop

Sous Chef

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$95K - $100K/hr

Come and join our staff and be part of a Kitchen Team We are seeking an experienced Sous Chef who will meet the daily challenges of managing a kitchen team along side the Chef de Cuisine and Director ...

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Side Chef information

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$10

$24

$44

How much do side chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for side chef in the United States is $24.63, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.83 and $31.01 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are side chefs and what do they do?

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 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 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 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.

More about Side Chef jobs
What cities are hiring for Side Chef jobs? Cities with the most Side Chef job openings:
What states have the most Side Chef jobs? States with the most job openings for Side Chef jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Side Chef jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Side Chef jobs are:
Infographic showing various Side Chef job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Locum Tenens, 5% As Needed, 53% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 23% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,225 per year, or $24.6 per hour.

$47K - $64K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

Leads a team of culinary professionals in preparing top quality, attractive, and delicious food for our Guests. The Kitchen Manager / Sous Chef oversees all aspects of the culinary side of the business including training, safety & sanitation, recipe adherence, orders, and prep lists. This person is a brand representative that maintains a patient and positive attitude and looks great for work every day. They hold the team accountable for top tier results and are passionate about food and hospitality. The Kitchen Manager / Sous Chef works with pride and must have a tremendous work ethic that sets the tone for the team.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Coordinates, leads, and directs Line Cooks, Prep Cooks, and Utility Team Members
Trains and validates all new cooks, as well as provides ongoing training and coach to existing cooks
Partners with the Executive Chef, GM, FOH Managers on training and educating all team members
Ensures 100% recipes adherence by all team members
Holds team accountability to policies and procures set forth by American Social
Responsible for implementing and holding strict standards for safety and sanitation as well as overall kitchen organization
Leads the implementation of a HACCP plan and ensures all team member follow as well
Keep a clear line of communication with the Executive Chef, as well as the GM and Corporate Chef
Assists Executive Chef in running food cost to goal
Manages controllable costs to goal
Assist the Executive Chef to manage the culinary side of the back office accounting and scheduling systems
Performs accurate inventories and clearly communicates food cost to issues to all team members
Performers Line and Quality Checks to ensure food quality is properly prepared, equipment is functioning, and the kitchen is set up for a successful service every shift
Holds team members to the proper Image and Appearance Guidelines including proper hygiene
ABILITY TO:
Be adaptable to a changing environment
Clearly communicate to all levels of the organizations
Manage team of up to 75 people
Hold 1 on 1's and communicate areas of opportunity and development
Bring creative ideas to build sales and overall brand improvement
Work in an organized manner
Multi-task and have a great sense of urgency with changing priorities
Work independently as well as in a team environment
Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
Follow Company Budgets and established goals
Maintain a professional and polished appearance
Able to work in a fast pace environment
Prioritizes projects and solicitates direction when necessary
Work nights and weekends
Work 12+ hours shifts as necessary
EDUCATION AND SKILLS:
3 years Sous Chef, or comparable, experience in a Full Service and High-Volume Restaurant
Strong communication and leadership skills
Experience with back office and POS systems (Restaurant 365, Hot Schedules, Micros)
Advanced organizational skills
Bilingual is a plus
Culinary Arts Degree is a plus (Associates, Bachelors, Certificates, etc.)
Serv Safe Certified
Strong knowledge of proper food handling and sanitation standards
Proficiency in Microsoft Office