Culinary Sous Chef

The Umstead is a distinguished luxury hotel renowned for delivering exemplary hospitality and a refined dining experience to its guests. Nestled in a serene location, this establishment values quality, elegance, and exceptional service. The Umstead offers an intimate and sophisticated setting, making it a preferred destination for travelers seeking comfort and gourmet cuisine. With a strong commitment to excellence, the hotel maintains Forbes Five-Star standards and prides itself on its attention to detail, professional staff, and a warm yet polished atmosphere that ensures every guest feels valued and indulged in a superior environment.

The role of Sous Chef at The Umstead is a pivotal position within the culinary department, reporting directly to the Executive Chef, Chef de Cuisine, and Executive Sous Chef. This is a leadership role that demands active and hands-on involvement in all aspects of kitchen operations, from food preparation to team mentorship. The Sous Chef helps uphold the core values set by the Executive Chef, emphasizing quality, sanitation, respect for colleagues, and maintaining an efficient, clean, and organized kitchen environment. This role plays a key part in ensuring that every dish served meets the highest standards of taste, presentation, and ingredient consistency.

The Sous Chef’s responsibilities extend beyond culinary execution to include operational duties such as maintaining proper mise en place levels, adhering to shift schedules, and supporting different kitchen stations across multiple meal periods including breakfast, lunch, dinner, butchery, receiving, and sanitation. Strong leadership capabilities are essential, as this position involves coaching, mentoring, recruiting, onboarding, and fostering a positive and respectful work culture. The Sous Chef supports the growth and retention of kitchen staff by providing effective training and guidance, while also communicating seamlessly with both kitchen and front-of-house teams.

In addition to these leadership duties, the Sous Chef is expected to maintain professionalism at all times, embodying a positive attitude, upholding company standards for quality and workplace conduct, and demonstrating a strong work ethic. Physical requirements include the ability to lift up to 50 pounds during shifts and to stand or walk for extended periods. The role mandates strict adherence to health, safety, and sanitation regulations to maintain a secure environment for guests and staff alike.

Ideal candidates for this position will have previous Sous Chef or comparable leadership experience, preferably in a Forbes Five-Star or Michelin-starred setting, reflecting a background of culinary excellence. The Sous Chef is also expected to be proficient in all kitchen operations, be available to work during peak hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays, and have a keen understanding of guest expectations and dining experience standards. All employees must uphold Umstead grooming standards, maintaining a neat, clean, and professional appearance at all times.

This comprehensive role not only contributes to the immediate culinary needs of the hotel but also instills a culture of continuous improvement, teamwork, and culinary artistry, ensuring that The Umstead continues to deliver a memorable and distinguished dining experience that aligns with its prestigious status.