Sous Chef

Rice University, located on a scenic 300-acre, tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, is nationally recognized as one of the top 20 universities according to U.S. News & World Report. Renowned for its intimate 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio and its unique residential college system, Rice fosters an environment that nurtures intellectual, emotional, and cultural growth among its students. The university’s residential colleges not only provide academic support but also promote community through a broad range of activities such as social events, intramural sports, student theater productions, lecture series, diverse courses, and student government involvement. These elements combine to cultivate a close-knit and diverse community that continually ranks Rice highly for quality of life and value among private universities.

Working at Rice University means being part of a community that deeply values Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence (RICE). These guiding principles shape every decision and action on campus, fostering a healthy, respectful, and welcoming environment for all faculty, staff, students, and visitors.

The role of the Sous Chef is an integral culinary leadership position within Rice Hospitality, dedicated to supporting the daily operations of both retail dining concepts and residential dining facilities, along with catering and special events where applicable. This position requires a highly skilled and adaptable culinary professional who can manage kitchen staff, ensure the highest standards of food quality and consistency, and oversee efficient food production in a fast-paced, multi-concept environment.

The Sous Chef must excel in executing diverse menus, manage peak service times, and uphold Rice Hospitality’s commitment to culinary excellence, food safety, and superior guest experience. This role demands a hands-on leader who can seamlessly navigate between retail and residential dining operations, maintaining high standards across various service styles including à la carte, batch cooking, and station-based service.

The ideal candidate will possess a robust operational mindset and a passion for mentoring and developing culinary teams. They will lead by example, exhibit advanced culinary skills such as precise knife work, seasoning, tasting, and flavor evaluation, and maintain an unwavering focus on producing consistent, quality dishes. Effective multitasking, prioritization, and sound decision-making under pressure are crucial to success in this role.

This position requires flexibility with scheduling, including availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays. Physical demands include the ability to stand or walk for up to eight hours daily, lift and carry up to 50 pounds repeatedly, and perform a range of motions such as bending, crouching, kneeling, reaching, and balancing. The work environment is primarily indoors within kitchens and dining facilities, with exposure to temperature variations and cleaning chemicals. The role is essential personnel status, requiring the Sous Chef to provide critical dining services during campus emergencies under the direction of Rice’s Crisis Management Team.

Rice University offers a competitive hourly wage ranging from $25.00 to $29.00, with non-exempt positions eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The Sous Chef plays a pivotal role in supporting culinary operations through daily oversight of retail and residential dining, ensuring impeccable food handling and safety standards, assisting with menu development, and maintaining inventory and cost control measures. Collaboration with front-of-house teams and involvement in catering event execution further highlight the dynamic and multifaceted nature of this position.

At Rice University, the Sous Chef not only contributes to the preparation and delivery of exceptional food but also actively helps foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing kitchen culture that reflects the university’s core values and mission.