Life of a Sous Chef

What is a Sous Chef? The mysterious sounding name is derived from the French word for “under.” This kitchen pro usually works closely with the Executive Chef, is usually the second in command and may have enough experience and training to even fill-in as Executive Chef when necessary. If you work in a large kitchen or institution you may be one of a few sous chefs.

In the official kitchen hierarchy the sous chef bridges the professional gap between line cooks, chefs and front house staff. He or she keeps a close eye on patron satisfaction and may be directly responsible for the quality of food as it leaves the kitchen and goes to the table.

If you watch Iron Chef then you are likely acquainted with the assistant or sous chefs that help the Iron Chefs and guest chefs prepare their meals/menus. They can work quite independently, but must take direction from the executive chef, as well and often work under extremely demanding situations.

Job Description for General Sous Chef

Becoming a professional chef is all about your career and job goals. If those goals include rising up through the ranks of the culinary world, don’t you want to know what kinds of skills will be expected on your resume when you apply for a job as sous chef?

General job description for a sous chef:

• Assist with creation and delivery of daily menus and dishes.
• Assist with training apprentice chefs, chefs in training and line cooks.
• Be experienced with all kitchen stations to take over if necessary.
• Help with inventory control.
• Assist with overall supervision.
• Responsible for food and equipment sanitation and hygiene.
• Leadership and excellent communication skills.
• Ability to take the lead in the absence of the Executive Chef.

Remember, these are basic job duties typical of a sous chef, but are in no way comprehensive. Many factors will figure prominently, such as type of restaurant or kitchen in which you’ll work, number of other chefs, cooks and kitchen staff, and possibly even region of the country.

Sous Chef Education and Training

Since a sous chef is the assistant to the executive chef expect to be required to have at least a couple of years experience as a chef or professional cook. Culinary arts degrees can give you a big leap ahead of your competition, and prove your motivation, commitment and ability to start and complete projects and tasks. If you have specialized in a particular cuisine, or are a pastry chef, then your resume should reflect this and your job search should be targeted.

Where Sous Chefs Work

Sous chefs or chef assistants are possible in nearly every type of culinary setting, but are not necessarily required. Some smaller restaurants and facilities may choose an executive chef and a small team of cooks. You can almost bet that most larger kitchens, hotels, resorts, convention centers, even corporate kitchens and certainly anyplace that adheres to the formal brigade system will likely employ at least one sous chef, and quite possibly multiple.

Sous Chef Salary

The salary of a sous chef can vary widely. Factors that contribute to compensation include:

• Region of the country
• Type of restaurant or facility, ie high-volume upscale restaurant, casual restaurant, institutional job
• Job responsibilities
• Education
• Career experience

Salaries commonly fall between $30,000 and $40,000 for entry-level and experienced sous chefs, respectively,* but the potential to earn more is quite good.

*source, Payscale.com