Sous Chef Duties, Skills & Responsibilities

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When hiring Sous Chefs, it’s important to properly describe the job opening with the duties, skills and responsibilities of the role. We’ve compiled a guide to Sous Chef Duties, Skills & Responsibilities using data from actual job postings on Indeed.

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Popular Sous Chef Duties and Skills

Here are some commonly found skills and other specifications in job postings for Sous Chefs.

Cooking

Definition : Experience preparing food typically by combining, mixing, and heating ingredients.
Years of experience most commonly required: 1-2
How common is it? This skill is found in 42.3% of Sous Chef job postings on Indeed.

Culinary experience

Definition : Experience or knowledge of food ingredients, preparation and cooking techniques, and attractive food presentation.
Years of experience most commonly required: 3-4
How common is it? This skill is found in 21.6% of Sous Chef job postings on Indeed.

Restaurant experience

Definition : Experience working in a restaurant.
Years of experience most commonly required: 2-3
How common is it? This skill is found in 18.2% of Sous Chef job postings on Indeed.

Leadership

Definition : Experience providing direction to individuals in any environment.
Years of experience most commonly required: 2-3
How common is it? This skill is found in 10.1% of Sous Chef job postings on Indeed.

Kitchen experience

Definition : Experience working with food in a kitchen.
Years of experience most commonly required: 2-3
How common is it? This skill is found in 9.3% of Sous Chef job postings on Indeed.

Supervising experience

Definition : Experience supervising personnel in a professional setting.
Years of experience most commonly required: 1-2
How common is it? This skill is found in 6.1% of Sous Chef job postings on Indeed.

Dietary department experience

Definition : Experience in a food service setting where meals are prepared for individuals who have special dietary or nutrition requirements, such as a hospital or assisted living facility.
Years of experience most commonly required: 1-2
How common is it? This skill is found in 5.3% of Sous Chef job postings on Indeed.

Food Handler Certification

Definition : A certification for those who work in food service facilities awarded upon completing an ANSI (American National Standards Institute) accredited food-handling certificate program to learn safe food-handling and sanitation practices. This certification is required by law for food handlers in some states.
Years of experience most commonly required: 2-3
How common is it? This skill is found in 3% of Sous Chef job postings on Indeed.

Food service

Definition : Experience in a food service environment.
Years of experience most commonly required: 2-3
How common is it? This skill is found in 2.6% of Sous Chef job postings on Indeed.

Food handling

Definition : Experience with preparing, serving, cooking, and storing food safely.
Years of experience most commonly required: 1-2
How common is it? This skill is found in 2.5% of Sous Chef job postings on Indeed.

Hospitality

Definition : Skill or experience in working within the hospitality industry.
Years of experience most commonly required: 2-3
How common is it? This skill is found in 1.9% of Sous Chef job postings on Indeed.

Catering

Definition : Experience providing food and drink services typically at events or venues outside of a restaurant or eating establishment.
Years of experience most commonly required: 3-4
How common is it? This skill is found in 1.4% of Sous Chef job postings on Indeed.

Food safety

Definition : Experience preparing, serving, and cooking food safely and hygienically.
Years of experience most commonly required: 2-3
How common is it? This skill is found in 1.1% of Sous Chef job postings on Indeed.

Banquet experience

Definition : Experience preparing, providing, or coordinating food and drink services in a banquet environment.
Years of experience most commonly required: 2-3
How common is it? This skill is found in 1% of Sous Chef job postings on Indeed.

Food production

Definition : Experience producing food, often in a high-volume environment. May include experience with food manufacturing or food serving.
Years of experience most commonly required: 2-3
How common is it? This skill is found in 0.4% of Sous Chef job postings on Indeed.

Restaurant management

Definition : Experience managing food and beverage establishments, including personnel, inventory, and customer relationships.
Years of experience most commonly required: 2-3
How common is it? This skill is found in 0.3% of Sous Chef job postings on Indeed.

Food industry

Definition : Knowledge of or experience working in the industry which focuses on the processing, preparation, and serving of food.
Years of experience most commonly required: 3-4
How common is it? This skill is found in 0.3% of Sous Chef job postings on Indeed.

Serving

Definition : Experience serving food or beverages.
Years of experience most commonly required: 1-2
How common is it? This skill is found in 0.3% of Sous Chef job postings on Indeed.

Menu planning

Definition : Experience creating and preparing a menu for food service.
Years of experience most commonly required: 2-3
How common is it? This skill is found in 0.1% of Sous Chef job postings on Indeed.