Sous Chef, Nationwide Arena

Delaware North Sportservice is a leading hospitality and food service company that has been operating concessions, premium dining, and retail at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio since the year 2000. Nationwide Arena is a prominent 18,500-seat venue, home to the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, and hosts a variety of concerts and events. Delaware North manages diverse concession outlets at this venue including diner-themed stands offering traditional arena fare such as hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn, and a variety of beers featuring local Ohio breweries. With a legacy spanning over 100 years, Delaware North is a family-owned global company renowned for its commitment to delivering exceptional memorable experiences for guests across sports arenas, national parks, casinos, hotels, and retail settings worldwide.

The company prides itself on fostering growth and career development opportunities for its employees, embracing diversity and inclusion as a core value. Delaware North’s culture centers around providing great times in great places while supporting the personal and professional journeys of its team members. The organization offers competitive compensation packages, comprehensive benefits, and ongoing training to help employees achieve their career goals and expand their skills.

The role of Sous Chef at Delaware North Sportservice at Nationwide Arena is integral to the culinary team’s success. This position involves supporting the Executive Chef in managing the high-volume kitchen operations, ensuring exceptional food quality, and leading the culinary team to maintain production efficiency and high standards. The Sous Chef will assist in hiring, training, and mentoring team members to build a cohesive and motivated kitchen staff. Responsibilities also include food and labor cost management, preparing schedules, overseeing inventory control, and managing ordering and receiving processes. Collaboration with the Executive Chef and culinary team in menu design and recipe development is another key aspect of this role.

The ideal candidate for the Sous Chef position will have a minimum of three years of culinary experience coupled with previous supervisory responsibilities within large production kitchens or high-volume food and beverage operations. They must possess exceptional culinary skills, creativity, and leadership capabilities to inspire and develop the team effectively. Proficiency in computer skills such as Word and Excel is required alongside knowledge of best practices for monitoring food and labor costs, menu costing, ordering, inventory, and food safety compliance. Certification in ServSafe, Food Safety Handler, and Training for Intervention Procedures is a must or the ability to obtain these certifications. The role also demands flexibility to work various shifts including days, evenings, holidays, weekends, and events to accommodate business needs.

Delaware North offers a competitive base salary with a pay range starting from $49,500 up to $66,800 annually. In addition to base pay, an annual bonus plan based on individual, company, and location performance or an uncapped sales incentive plan is available. The company’s comprehensive benefits package supports employee well-being including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) plans with company match, paid vacation and holidays, parental bonding leave, tuition and professional certification reimbursement, and exclusive friends-and-family discounts at hotels and resorts operated by Delaware North.

This role presents an exciting opportunity for culinary professionals eager to join a reputable and established company in a vibrant sports arena environment. Delaware North invites passionate individuals who thrive in fast-paced, high-volume culinary operations and who are committed to excellence, teamwork, and innovation to apply and become part of a global legacy shaping the future of hospitality.