Headline ideas
- Sous chef wanted
- Second in command
- Cook, lead, grow
- Run the line with the chef
- Now hiring a sous chef
What to put on the sign
- Describe the kitchen's style and size, so a chef can picture themselves in it.
- State responsibilities such as ordering, scheduling and training the line.
- Say who they will report to and how decisions are made.
- Ask for relevant experience in a way that invites a short conversation, not a long form.
What pay to put on a sous chef poster
Posters with a real number get more walk-ins than “competitive pay.” For reference, the Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median for chefs and head cooks at $30.03/hr nationally and $34.84/hr in the Boston metro (May 2025 estimates). The full sous chef salary breakdown shows the range.
The sous chef role in one line
The sous chef is the second in command of a kitchen and runs daily operations under the head chef or executive chef. The role bridges the line and management, handling scheduling, ordering, training, and quality on the floor.
Requirements worth printing
Keep the poster to the two or three that actually screen people out. The rest belongs in the full posting.
- Several years of professional cooking experience, including time as a lead line cook
- Proven ability to run a busy service and manage a team of cooks
- Working knowledge of ordering, inventory, and food cost basics
- ServSafe Manager certification is often required or strongly preferred
- Strong communication skills with both the kitchen and front of house
Typical schedule
Sous chefs typically work five days a week or more, with long shifts that include both prep and service and a heavy presence on weekends.
Put the same opening on the free Servestack jobs board and borrow wording from the sous chef job description.