heaSous Chef Jobs in NYC: July 2024 Job Listings

Top 10 Sous Chef Jobs in New York City

The Big Apple offers countless opportunities for current and aspiring Sous Chefs aiming to advance in the culinary industry. To help you get started on your search, we’ve listed the 10 best Sous Chef jobs in NYC that are currently hiring.

1. Cipriani | $90,000–$100,000 per year

[Source: Cipriani]

• Position: Sous Chef
• Borough: Manhattan
• About: Cipriani was founded by Giuseppe Cipriani, who is said to be the inventor of the carpaccio and the Bellini cocktail. It is now one of the most highly acclaimed Italian restaurant brands in the world, especially in NYC.
• Requirements: At least three years of culinary experience; able to lift trays weighing up to 50 pounds; good hearing and eyesight to observe and detect possible emergencies; bachelor’s degree in culinary arts preferred
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: Healthcare insurance, commuter benefits, free meals, paid training
• Where to apply: Visit Cipriani New York’s career page

2. RH | $85,000–$110,000 per year

[Source: RH]

• Position: Sous Chef
• Area: Meatpacking District, Manhattan
• About: RH (formerly named Restoration Hardware) started out as a home-furnishing brand that has now branched out to other industries such as hospitality. They currently have one NYC restaurant, which is located in the Meatpacking District.
• Requirements: Minimum of two years of hospitality experience; able to lift up to 50 pounds and work while standing for extended periods
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: Employee discounts, 401(k)/retirement plan, healthcare insurance, complimentary Peloton membership, commuter benefits
• Where to apply: Visit RH’s career page

3. Wegmans Food Markets | $81,800–$91,300 per year

[Source: Wegmans Food Markets]

• Position: Sushi Sous Chef
• Area: NoHo, Manhattan
• About: Wegmans Food Markets is a supermarket chain with over 100 stores across the United States. Their supermarkets also house dining facilities that serve freshly prepared meals.
• Requirements: At least two years of experience as a Sous Chef; previous experience in food service profit and loss (P&L) management; at least five years of overall culinary experience and culinary degree preferred
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: Paid time off, educational assistance, healthcare insurance, 401(k)/retirement plan, higher premium pay rates for shifts on Sundays and holidays
• Where to apply: Visit Wegmans Food Markets’ career page

4. Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group | $75,000–$85,000 per year

[Source: Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group]

• Position: Sous Chef
• Area: Upper West Side, Manhattan
• About: Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has more than 40 five-star hotels and resorts across the globe. Its NYC hotel is situated near the famous Central Park and boasts nearly 250 rooms and suites.
• Requirements: Minimum of five years of culinary experience in a luxury hotel; at least two years of managerial experience in a fine dining restaurant; prior experience in multicultural cuisines
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: Discounts on Mandarin Oriental hotels worldwide, health and wellness programs, 401(k)/retirement plan, training and advancement opportunities
• Where to apply: Visit Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group’s career page

5. Boqueria | $70,000–$80,000 per year

[Source: Boqueria]

• Position: Restaurant Sous Chef
• Area: SoHo, Manhattan
• About: Headquartered in NYC, Boqueria is a tapas restaurant brand with several locations across the U.S. Its name is inspired by Barcelona’s La Boqueria.
• Requirements: At least one year of previous experience as a Sous Chef in a similar casual-upscale restaurant; food safety certification; basic knowledge and understanding of back-of-house financial management
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: 401(k)/retirement plan, medical, dental and vision insurance, paid time off, flexible scheduling, employee discounts
• Where to apply: Visit Boqueria’s career page

6. Restaurant Associates | $70,000–$80,000

[Source: Restaurant Associates]

• Position: Sous Chef (Hearst Media)
• Borough: Manhattan
• About: Restaurant Associates is an NYC-based hospitality company that is part of Compass Group USA. It provides catering and in-office dining services to clients such as Hearst Media.
• Requirements: At least three years of culinary experience; extensive knowledge of food and catering trends; previous experience in a high-volume food service establishment highly preferred
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: Healthcare, disability and life insurance, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program, 401(k)/retirement plan
• Where to apply: Visit Compass Group’s career page

7. Baccarat Hotel | $78,000 per year

[Source: Baccarat Hotel]

• Position: Sous Chef
• Area: Midtown Manhattan
• About: Baccarat Hotel’s NYC location features opulent, French-inspired interiors along with 114 top-notch accommodations. It operates under the hotel brand management company, SH Hotels & Resorts.
• Requirements: Prior experience as a Sous Chef in a high-end establishment; strong leadership and interpersonal skills; NYC Food Protection Certificate; culinary degree preferred
• Job type: Temporary
• Benefits: Medical, dental and vision insurance, discounted parking
• Where to apply: Visit SH Hotels & Resorts’ career page

8. Goodwin Recruiting | $80,000–$85,000

[Source: Goodwin Recruiting]

• Position: Fine-Dining Sous Chef
• About: Goodwin Recruiting is an East Coast-based recruitment firm. It has clients in various industries such as hospitality, tech, retail and finance.
• Requirements: At least three years of experience as a Sous Chef in a fine dining establishment; formal culinary training or equivalent; culinary degree or certification preferred
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: Bonus plan, healthcare and disability insurance, paid time off, 401(k) with employer contribution; five-day work weeks
• Where to apply: Visit Goodwin Recruiting’s career page

9. Tommy Bahama | $75,000–$95,000

[Source: Tommy Bahama]

• Position: Executive Sous Chef
• Area: Midtown Manhattan
• About: Tommy Bahama started out as a tropical-inspired retail brand in 1993. It opened its first restaurant in 1995, which has since expanded to more than 20 locations across the U.S.
• Requirements: Minimum of three years of culinary experience in a high-volume restaurant; at least one year of kitchen leadership experience; able to move and lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds; bachelor’s degree in culinary arts or hospitality preferred
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: Employee discounts, healthcare and life insurance, flexible spending account, paid time off
• Where to apply: Visit Tommy Bahama’s career page

10. The Capital Grille | $68,000–$80,000

[Source: The Capital Grille]

• Position: Sous Chef
• Borough: Manhattan
• About: The Capital Grille’s specialties include dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood and top-notch wines. The brand has over 70 locations across North America – three of which are in NYC.
• Requirements: Previous experience as a Sous Chef or Kitchen Manager in a high-volume, upscale establishment; stable employment history with upward career progression
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: 401(k)/retirement plan, healthcare, disability and life insurance, paid time off, employee discounts
• Where to apply: Visit The Capital Grille’s career page

What’s the Average Salary for Sous Chef Jobs in NYC?

On average, Sous Chefs who work in New York City can expect to earn around $67,503 per year. This amount is 17.02% higher than the U.S. average salary for this same position — making NYC a highly attractive option for those who wish to succeed in the culinary industry while receiving competitive pay.

Moreover, NYC has the highest average Sous Chef salary compared to other major cities like Miami ($60,151), Los Angeles ($62,954) and Chicago ($58,638).

How Much Do Other Back-of-House Roles in NYC Earn?

In New York City, Sous Chefs make more than what Kitchen Managers and what Pastry Chefs make. However, Sous Chefs in NYC earn significantly less than Lead Chefs and Executive Chefs, given that these two are more senior positions that require further experience and a higher level of culinary skills.

[Calculated using Indeed, Salary.com, ZipRecruiter and Glassdoor data]

This graph is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the graph to see detailed data. 

Legal Requirements Applicable to Sous Chef Jobs in NYC

Let’s take a look at some of the state laws and regulations that NYC-based Sous Chefs should know and adhere to.

1. Pay transparency

Under New York State’s Pay Transparency Law, businesses with four or more employees have to disclose compensation ranges for job openings, promotions and transfers. This law also prevents employers from “retaliating” against employees who opt to discuss their compensation with their coworkers.

2. Food handler training and certification

Many NYC restaurants require employees whose daily responsibilities include preparing and serving dishes to have a food handler’s certificate. As for newly hired employees who have not yet obtained this card, they must do so within 30 days.

3. Minimum age for employment

Although it’s not always part of their primary responsibilities, Sous Chefs may occasionally assist in hiring new back-of-house staff members. That said, they must make sure to only accept applicants who are at least 14 years old, provided that the applicant has working papers. However, the legal work hours for minors (employees aged 14 to 18) vary depending on their age.

Criteria We Used in Selecting the Top 10 Sous Chef Jobs in NYC

Wondering how we picked the featured job listings above? Here are the key factors we took into consideration to ensure we recommend only the best Sous Chef jobs in the Big Apple:

1. Above-average salaries

All of the NYC Sous Chef jobs we’ve listed have a starting salary of at least $68,000 a year — which is slightly above the city average.

2. Central location

Each of these Sous Chef NYC job listings is in Manhattan, which has the highest foot traffic among the five boroughs. After all, Manhattan houses a majority of NYC’s popular tourist spots as well as offices of global companies and high-profile restaurants.

That said, many dining establishments in this borough typically pay higher salaries to managerial-level restaurant employees (like Sous Chefs) in order to keep up with their neighboring competition.

3. Well-renowned companies

Another criterion we had for selecting these Sous Chef jobs in NYC is the reputation of each company.

Are they highly regarded within the restaurant and hospitality industry? Do they offer generous benefits and perks to their Sous Chefs? Of course, the answer to both questions had to be “yes.”