Join the ilili Midtown opening team!
We are seeking a talented and driven Sous Chef to join our opening team at our Midtown location. This leadership role is essential to bringing our culinary vision to life and setting the standard for excellence from day one.
As a Sous Chef, you’ll work closely with the Chef de Cuisine to oversee kitchen operations, manage prep and service, and ensure every dish meets our high standards for quality, consistency, and presentation. You’ll play a key role in training and mentoring the team, fostering a culture of collaboration, precision, and pride.
The ideal candidate is passionate about food, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and leads by example. You’re organized, solutions-oriented, and excited to help build a dynamic kitchen culture from the ground up.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Responsible for maintaining the highest standards of food quality
- Supervise and direct food preparation and production
- Directing workers to ensure compliance with occupational, health, and safety standards
- Planning or participating in the planning of menus and utilization of food surpluses
- Reviewing menus, analyzing recipes, determining food, labor, and overhead costs
- Managing cooks and other kitchen personnel and coordinating their assignments
- Assures that all team members have all food items prepared to proper specifications in a timely manner
- Maintain refrigerator and kitchen in clean, organized manner, with all food items labeled and dated, to facilitate the high-volume production necessary to achieve company goals
- Collaborates with senior kitchen leadership to maintains an effective training program for all employees so that all their time can be productive
- Keeps production of food at an adequate level, which does not result in excessive leftovers and waste
- Assist in conducting monthly inventories
- Assist in ordering and receiving necessary food products and supplies
- Ensures daily that the kitchen is staffed appropriately, the kitchen is clean, inventory levels are appropriate, and equipment is working properly
- Certify brand and company standards on equipment and work areas are maintained by implementing a preventative maintenance program
Position Requirements:
- Advanced culinary skills including food preparation, flavor pairings and other cooking best practices
- Keeping abreast of trends in the restaurant industry currently and moving forward
- Comfortable training, directing and supervising kitchen staff
- Strong interpersonal skills and problem-solving techniques; Professional, articulate, friendly, and punctual.
- Must demonstrate leadership skills, be a team-player and work well with others
- Strong time management and organization skills
- Attention to detail and consistency with implementing standards.
- Strong understanding of food safety and Department of Health standards
- Must be able to stand for long periods of time, flexibility in availability
Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the team member for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Ideal Experience:
- 2+ years of supervisory experience in high-volume, multi-service environment required and/or 5+ years of culinary experience; Culinary diploma or equivalent in experience strongly preferred
- General understanding of Microsoft Office, Outlook, Teams
- Experience with Mediterranean or Middle Eastern cuisine a plus but not required
- Possess a NY Food Handler certification, strongly preferred
- Must be familiar with inventory and costing software programs (i.e. ChefTec, Compeat).
- Positive attitude along with excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Proven track record of dependability and a passion for hospitality and creating incredible guest experience
As a member of our team you can expect:
- Health & Wellness Benefits (including a $100 monthly wellness stipend)
- Paid Time Off (PTO) to enjoy time away
- Transportation Benefits
- Dining Benefits