Executive Sous Chef - Upscale Southeast Asian Dining

Job Description

Job Description

Executive Sous Chef – Upscale Southeast Asian Dining

A premier, high-volume upscale restaurant specializing in French-Vietnamese and Southeast Asian cuisine in Lake Forest, IL is seeking an experienced Executive Sous Chef to help lead its culinary team.

This role is ideal for an ambitious culinary leader with strong expertise in Vietnamese/Southeast Asian flavor profiles, high-volume line management, and financial acumen. Working alongside the Executive Chef, this position drives daily kitchen operations, team development, guest satisfaction, and back-of-house profitability.

Why You Should Apply
Competitive Pay & Growth: $75,000 – $90,000 starting salary plus full benefits package.

• Renowned Culinary Concept: Lead a highly respected kitchen known for authentic, refined Southeast Asian cuisine.
• Leadership Role: High degree of ownership over daily kitchen operations, menu execution, and staff development.
  

Key Responsibilities

• Culinary Leadership: Oversee daily kitchen operations, ensuring flawless presentation, quality, and strict adherence to recipe standards.
• Financial & Operational Oversight: Manage food and labor costs, conduct weekly/monthly forecasting, and utilize Restaurant365 for purchasing and inventory tracking.
• Team Development: Recruit, mentor, and schedule culinary staff, fostering a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous growth.
• High-Volume Execution: Lead from the front during peak service hours, maintaining composure, efficiency, and food safety standards (Grade A health standards).
  

Position Requirements

• 3–5+ years of culinary management experience as an Executive Sous Chef or Senior Sous Chef in an upscale, high-volume environment.
• Deep culinary expertise in Vietnamese and Southeast Asian ingredients, flavor balancing, and cooking techniques.
• Proven financial acumen with hands-on experience managing food/labor costs and using inventory management software (e.g., Restaurant365).
• Certifications: Valid Food Safety Manager Certification.
• Schedule: Full availability for nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Physical: Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and work long shifts on your feet in a fast-paced environment.
  

Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.

Company Description

The Restaurant Zone is a leading hospitality recruitment agency specializing in connecting top-tier talent with restaurants, hotels, and hospitality groups across the United States. We partner with growing brands and established operators to deliver high-quality candidates for management, executive, and specialized roles. Our team combines industry expertise, a vast candidate network, and a results-driven approach to help businesses build strong, reliable teams. At The Restaurant Zone, we focus on speed, quality, and long-term fit—ensuring both clients and candidates succeed.

Company Description

The Restaurant Zone is a leading hospitality recruitment agency specializing in connecting top-tier talent with restaurants, hotels, and hospitality groups across the United States. We partner with growing brands and established operators to deliver high-quality candidates for management, executive, and specialized roles. Our team combines industry expertise, a vast candidate network, and a results-driven approach to help businesses build strong, reliable teams. At The Restaurant Zone, we focus on speed, quality, and long-term fit—ensuring both clients and candidates succeed.