Sous Chef

Recruiting Partner: John Watson

Cary, North Carolina | Hospitality Operations | Not Remote | $55,000 to $65,000 | Job ID: 176521

Job Summary

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Position Title: 

Sous Chef

Location: 

Apex, North Carolina (Local training program provided)

Company Overview:

At Tramonto Food Group, we embody a culture where amazing food meets exceptional service. We believe that dining is an immersive experience—savoring authentic flavors, appreciating the craft of scratch cooking, and creating lasting memories. For our brand-new, upscale casual Italian concept in Apex, Serafina Ristorante, we are building a dedicated, culture-driven culinary team. We offer an environment centered on work-life balance, structured operational systems, and uncapped financial growth.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a highly motivated, skilled, and disciplined Sous Chef to join our chef-driven, scratch-Italian kitchen. Operating as the right hand to the Executive Chef, the Sous Chef will lead back-of-house (BOH) operations by example, maintaining uncompromising standards for recipe execution, cleanliness, and team morale. This role requires a professional who thrives in a structured corporate environment but possesses the creative, agile problem-solving mindset of an independent restaurateur.

Key Responsibilities:

• Culinary Excellence: Oversee daily back-of-house operations, ensuring all scratch menu items are executed with strict adherence to recipes, portion controls, and plate presentations.

• Operational Leadership: Manage kitchen shifts effectively; step in to lead line production and expedite during peak volumes while maintaining a calm, composed demeanor.

• Financial & Inventory Controls: Execute bi-weekly inventory counts with team participation. Assist in managing food cost, labor percentages, ordering, and strategic receiving.

• Team Development: Train, coach, and mentor line cooks and prep staff. Assist with scheduling to optimize labor metrics while supporting a positive, status-quo-challenging BOH culture.

• Food Safety & Compliance: Maintain a pristine kitchen environment; ensure absolute compliance with health department regulations and food safety standards (ServSafe certification required).

• In-House Events: Support the execution of frequent in-house private events, such as rehearsal dinners and banquet gatherings.

Qualifications & Candidate Profile:

• Experience: Minimum of 2 years of consistent tenure as a Sous Chef within a high-volume, full-service upscale casual or fine dining environment.

• Culinary Background: Proven expertise in chef-driven, scratch-food concepts is required. Strong foundational knowledge or experience in premium Italian cuisine is highly preferred.

• Tenure Integrity: Minimal job changes over a 5-year period. Candidates must demonstrate stable career progression (stay-away backgrounds include contract food service, country clubs, and hotels).

• Systems & Mindset: A background operating within structured corporate systems paired with the innovative problem-solving capability of independent environments.

• Location: Local to the Apex/Cary/Raleigh market, or willing to relocate independently (no relocation assistance provided). Must be available for a local 45-day training program.

Appearance Standards:

• Professional Grooming: Beards must be close-groomed and no longer than 2 inches. Long hair must be pulled back and maintained in a natural color. Tattoos are acceptable (though polished casual presentation is required; no ties or jackets).

Compensation & Benefits:

• Base Salary: $55,000 – $65,000 (commensurate with experience)

• Bonus Structure: Lucrative 4-week profit-based bonus program, tiered by position and completely uncapped.

• Benefits: Comprehensive package starting April 2025 including Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance. 

• Paid Time Off: 2 weeks of starting PTO.

• Retirement: 401(k) program coming soon.

  • • Growth: Significant career advancement potential with multiple new location openings actively planned.

 

JOB ID: 176521

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John Watson

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Additional Information

At Goodwin Recruiting, our clients seek qualified candidates, and that is what we deliver. A person’s age, gender, race, color, marital or family status, national origin, disability, religion, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity has no bearing on whether they are able to do the job. We evaluate the knowledge, skills, and abilities that meet the requirements of the position and aim to open doors and change lives. We work hard to identify a broad slate of candidates for each of our clients, with many hiring success stories to share.

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John Watson

Senior Recruiting Partner