Sous Chef
About the job
- 2-3 years of sous chef experience in a full-service restaurant.
- Ability to lead and manage the kitchen staff.
- Run back-of-house shifts and ensure effective and efficient operations, including food preparation and cooking; maintain adequate food and supply inventory; and supervise kitchen, dish, and other back-of-house teams.
- Lead back-of-house pre-shift meetings and participate in line, temperature, and cooler checks and food tastings for the shift.
- Partner with the general manager and/or designated managers or chefs to regularly review and maintain recipe books.
- Perform regular line checks throughout the day to ensure the quality of all menu items.
- Purchase and order food products and supplies for the restaurant, including daily product orders.
- Assist with tracking and controlling food costs.
- Ensure effective communication of food production and timing issues, needs, and special requests between front-of-house and back-of-house teams.
- Partner with the general manager and management team to interview, hire, onboard, train, supervise, and develop back-of-house employees and teams as needed.
- Model and promote teamwork across all teams.
- Use tact and good judgment when addressing challenges involving guests, vendors, and employees, and respond with patience and courtesy.
- Work a variety of days and shifts, including early mornings, late nights, and weekends, at multiple sites, with or without overnight travel, as needed.
- Move and lift up to 10 pounds; frequently move and/or lift up to 25 pounds; and occasionally move and/or lift up to 50 pounds.
About the company
Lettuce Entertain You is a Chicago-based, independent, family-owned restaurant group that owns, manages and licenses more than 110 restaurants across several states. It operates a diverse portfolio of concepts, from fast casual to fine dining, including brands like R.J. Grunts, Aba, Hub 51, Wildfire, RPM Italian, M Burger, Shaw’s Crab House, Mon Ami Gabi, and Beatrix. The company focuses on attracting and developing people with creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit, providing extensive training and rewarding talent and drive. Its product line is not a single dish but a collection of restaurant concepts and dining experiences under one organizational umbrella. The goal is to be the best in the business by cultivating talent, creativity, and high standards in hospitality, food, and service, across its growing portfolio.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Chicago, Illinois
Founded
1971
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Ēma opened in Austin January 2026, proving out-market expansion still works.
- Pizzeria Gabbo's Fall 2026 Fulton Market opening adds another fresh Chicago traffic driver.
- UKG deployment in 2024 strengthened frontline communication across 7,000 employees and 130 restaurants.
What critics are saying
- Gerard Centioli's August 2025 lawsuit alleges fraud and a sham buyout; trial pressure persists.
- September 2025 Chicago paid-leave class action targets dozens of Illinois restaurants and back wages.
- Labor-heavy operations and frequent openings increase execution risk if consumer demand softens in 2026.
What makes Lettuce Entertain You unique
- R.J. Melman leads 60 concepts, pairing family ownership with disciplined multi-brand execution.
- Lettuce Entertain You keeps launching destination concepts like Ēma Austin and Pizzeria Gabbo.
- Its scale and event platform, including Windy City Smokeout and Presidents Cup, build brand reach.
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Benefits
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Vacation
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Employee Discounts
- Wellness Program
- Mental Health Support