Sous Chef

Gategroup is a global leader in airline catering and related services, renowned for delivering exceptional culinary experiences to airlines and their passengers worldwide. With a strong emphasis on excellence, passion, responsibility, and respect, the company fosters a collaborative and inclusive culture that supports the professional growth and development of its workforce. Gategroup is committed to workforce diversity, safety, and continuous improvement across all operations, positioning itself as a top choice for individuals seeking a rewarding career in the airline catering industry. The company operates with a clear focus on quality, customer satisfaction, and innovation, ensuring that every culinary offering meets the highest standards expected by airline customers.

The Sous Chef position at Gategroup plays a crucial role in supporting the Executive Chef in the planning, preparation, and management of Chinese and Asian cuisines specifically designed for airline catering operations. This role requires a deep understanding of culinary techniques, with an emphasis on Chinese, Taiwanese, and Hong Kong cuisine, along with familiarity with Japanese culinary profiles. The Sous Chef is responsible for ensuring high-quality food production that complies with all relevant food safety standards, including FDA, USDA, and HACCP guidelines, while maintaining efficient kitchen operations. This includes supervising kitchen staff, managing labor and production schedules, and optimizing resources to consistently deliver a superior culinary experience.

In this role, the Sous Chef assists in menu planning, meal design, and recipe development tailored to the specific tastes and preferences of airline customers. They oversee kitchen operations with a focus on food quality, consistency, and sanitation, ensuring the kitchen adheres to stringent food safety regulations. The position demands strong leadership skills to manage staffing schedules, assign tasks effectively, and coach kitchen staff, fostering a productive and safe work environment. Additionally, the Sous Chef is responsible for monitoring production costs, labor usage, and waste, always striving for operational efficiencies while complying with company policies and union agreements.

This position requires a professional with a minimum of an associate degree in Culinary Arts or equivalent certification, coupled with extensive experience in cooking and kitchen supervision. Candidates should have a minimum of seven years cooking experience, including three years specializing in Chinese cuisine, and ideally some familiarity with Japanese culinary styles. Prior experience in high-volume kitchens, catering, manufacturing, or restaurant settings is preferred, with additional value placed on background in in-flight catering or large-scale food service. Required skills include strong organizational abilities, leadership, communication, and proficiency with time management, menu design, and basic computer software such as MS Office. Experience with ERP or production software is advantageous, as is ServSafe certification and bilingual capability in Mandarin.

The role offers a competitive salary ranging from $70,000 to $73,000 per year, reflecting the demands and responsibilities of the position. Employees benefit from a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid time off, 401(k) with company match, company-sponsored life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance plans, and various voluntary coverage options. The company also provides an Employee Assistance Program, employee discounts, weekly pay for union employees, and free meals for operational roles. This opportunity at Gategroup is ideal for culinary professionals eager to advance their careers in a dynamic, globally recognized airline catering company that values quality, safety, and employee well-being.