Sous Chef- The Warbler Hotel

The Warbler Hotel is a distinctive boutique hotel located at the vibrant corner of St. Charles Avenue and St. Andrew's Street in New Orleans. Rising six stories and encompassing 42,000 square feet, this hotel is a remarkable blend of historical architectural charm and modern luxury. The Warbler Hotel’s design pays homage to the Jazz Age, inspired specifically by the Streamline Moderne style, characterized by bold geometries and fluid lines. Its interiors are thoughtfully curated to evoke the elegance, excitement, and unbridled revelry characteristic of social clubs during that era. The guest rooms offer a cozy yet sophisticated retreat, providing visitors with an ideal base from which to explore the rich cultural fabric and vibrant culinary scene of New Orleans. The property has been thoughtfully developed on a site with deep local roots, previously home to the iconic Trolly Stop Cafe, highlighting the hotel’s commitment to preserving and enhancing local heritage through its offerings and ambiance.

The Warbler’s Food & Beverage program is a cornerstone of its appeal, developed in collaboration with CureCo., a distinguished New Orleans hospitality group with leaders Neal Bodenheimer and Kirk Estopinal at the helm. Their combined decades of experience include creating internationally acclaimed and award-winning bars recognized by the James Beard Foundation and the World's 50 Best rankings. Andrew Zimmerman, known for leading Chicago’s Michelin-starred Sepia, also collaborates closely on culinary initiatives, ensuring the highest standards of gourmet excellence and innovation across the hotel's dining outlets. This synergy has cultivated a food and beverage experience that is both sophisticated and authentic, reflecting the culinary heritage and vibrant tastes of New Orleans.

In the role of Sous Chef, you will be an integral member of the Back of House (BOH) leadership team, sharing in the responsibility for the vision, strategy, and day-to-day execution of all food operations within the hotel. Key areas under your purview will include Mildred’s Restaurant & Bar, the hotel café, the rooftop bar known as Upstairs, and in-room dining services. As a crucial player in ensuring a seamless integration of food and beverage with the overall guest experience, the Sous Chef acts to unify these operations under a cohesive and prestigious brand identity. This full-time position reports directly to the Chef de Cuisine, working collaboratively to create a culture grounded in integrity, inclusivity, hospitality, and professionalism.

The Sous Chef at The Warbler is expected to bring a fine dining mindset and technical mastery to every aspect of kitchen leadership and culinary execution. This includes maintaining the highest standards in ingredient quality, precision in technique, harmonious flavor profiles, and consistent delivery of emotional and sensory experiences expected in a high-caliber fine dining environment. With direct leadership over the kitchen staff, including cooks, prep teams, and dishwashers, this role demands a leader who can inspire and foster a strong sense of teamwork and commitment to excellence. The position requires the ability to balance artistic culinary innovation with pragmatic systems, cost control, and operational efficiency within a luxury hotel context.

In addition to culinary expertise, the ideal candidate will exhibit a strong commitment to local culinary culture by building relationships with regional farmers, fishers, and artisans. They must be adept at adapting fine dining standards to multiple service outlets, including à la carte dining, rooftop specialties, banquets, and in-room dining, ensuring that every guest interaction reflects the same high level of culinary discipline and luxury. The Sous Chef will also be responsible for mentoring and training the team, cultivating a culture of continuous improvement, humility, and professional pride, and ensuring rigorous adherence to health, safety, and operational policies consistent with star-level standards.

This is a demanding yet rewarding opportunity for those with 3-5+ years of experience in serious fine dining or chef-driven restaurants, ideally with aspirations or experience in Michelin-rated establishments. The role requires flexibility to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events, reflecting the dynamic nature of high-end hospitality. The Warbler Hotel offers a vibrant, culturally rich environment where culinary professionals can thrive, grow, and contribute meaningfully to a leading culinary destination in New Orleans.