Sous Chef

Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba is Chicago's original tapas restaurant, proudly serving authentic Spanish cuisine and signature sangria in a lively, warm atmosphere in the Lincoln Park neighborhood since 1985. Renowned for its vibrant dining experience, the restaurant celebrates the rich culinary traditions of Spain by offering small, flavorful plates designed for sharing and connecting. Over the decades, Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba has cultivated a loyal following by blending a casual yet energetic ambiance with high-quality food and beverages. This unique combination makes it a beloved destination for locals and tourists alike who seek both traditional and innovative tapas dishes paired with excellent drinks in an inviting setting.

The restaurant operates under Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, a respected culinary-driven company with over 130 locations committed to nurturing diverse talent and fostering a Culture of Caring. This affiliation means employees benefit from a supportive environment emphasizing career-long training, personal development, and continuous growth opportunities. Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba is currently seeking a dynamic and experienced Sous Chef to join its kitchen team. This is a full-time position offering a competitive salary range of $55,000 to $75,000 annually.

As a Sous Chef, you will play a pivotal role in the heart of the restaurant’s kitchen operations. Your responsibilities will include running back-of-house (BOH) shifts to ensure smooth, efficient service and superior food quality. You'll oversee food preparation, cooking, and inventory management while supervising kitchen staff, dish teams, and other BOH personnel. Leadership and communication are essential, as you will lead pre-shift meetings, coordinate closely with front-of-house teams, and collaborate with general managers and designated managers or chefs to maintain and update recipe books.

This role demands not only culinary expertise developed through at least two years of sous chef experience in a full-service restaurant but also strong team management skills and the ability to foster a motivating and cooperative work environment. You will be involved in purchasing and ordering food products, controlling food costs, and ensuring all dishes meet high standards through regular line checks. The position also requires flexibility to work varied shifts, including mornings, late nights, weekends, and travel to multiple sites if needed.

At Lettuce Entertain You and Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba, employees are valued beyond their culinary skills. The company provides a range of generous benefits designed to support both personal and professional well-being, including competitive salaries, quarterly bonuses, paid time off including holidays and vacation days, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) plans, life and accident protection, domestic partner benefits, employee assistance programs focused on mental health and wellness, and exclusive restaurant discounts.

Joining Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba as a Sous Chef means becoming part of a passionate team dedicated to delivering exceptional dining experiences to every guest while growing your career within a respected and caring restaurant group. If you are ready to bring your culinary talents and leadership abilities to a vibrant and evolving kitchen environment, apply today and explore the exciting opportunities at this iconic Chicago establishment and beyond.