OPT Chef De Cuisine Jobs
Chef De Cuisine jobs on OPT are available at independent restaurants, hotel groups, and hospitality companies that routinely sponsor skilled culinary professionals. Your F-1 OPT gives you up to 12 months of work authorization, and STEM extension does not apply to culinary roles, so timing your job search matters.
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Get Access To All JobsWHO WE ARE:
Since 1907, Neiman Marcus has been a leader in luxury retail, providing a uniquely curated product assortment, unparalleled services and exclusive activations for customers in Pursuit of the Extraordinary. Known for creating Neiman Marcus magic through exceptional experiences, Neiman Marcus has a rich history as a brand builder, bringing together the world's top luxury designers and customers to foster a dedicated following for generations. We serve customers across our stores, digital channels and through remote selling. Neiman Marcus is part of Exemplar Luxury Group, the luxury collective uniting coveted brands with unrivaled customer experiences.
Job Description:
YOU WILL BE:
A Restaurant Sous Chef promotes the excellence of a Neiman Marcus store by building a professional team, driving team to create top-tier food experiences, managing catering and special parties, and overseeing key Restaurant initiatives.
WHAT YOU WILL DO:
Restaurant Strategy & Administration
- Monitors and documents daily food inventories to minimize food waste, yielding resources to work towards proper food costs
- Maintains necessary skills and knowledge of all kitchen roles to fill in for positions as needed
- Maintains all Health and Sanitation standards as directed by Neiman Marcus, local and federal Health Departments, and third-party sanitation auditors
- Checks each Cook station daily to monitor preparation readiness for service
- Oversees maintenance and cleanliness across all dining rooms and kitchens
- Oversees adherence to Health and Safety standards in work areas
- Drives restaurant to achieve and maintain a 90% score or better on seasonal shop reports and sanitation evaluations
- Upkeeps current recipe book daily detailing specials, soups, and daily menu items
- Works closely with front of house staff to execute orders and any guest requests
- Creates and executes all daily specials and soups by instructing designated kitchen stations on roles
- Monitors, organizes, and expedites all plates leaving the kitchen
- Maintains current and accurate paperwork from POS reports while monitoring restaurant success compared to the bottom line
- Manages inventory amounts, batch invoices, and month-end forecasts
- Works with supervisor to order food and supplies in accordance with Corporate Purchasing Contracts
- Works closely with supervisor on catering needs of special events
- Plans, executes, and/or supports special promotions and events for restaurant
Associate Development
- Enforces Neiman Marcus policies and procedures
- Responsible for coaching and counseling direct reports
- Oversees restaurant Associates in completing daily tasks
- Provides feedback, conflict resolution, and disciplinary action for Associates
- Works with Human Resources Manager on matters relevant to Associates (e.g., training, payroll, benefits)
Communications
- Communicates daily with restaurant management team regarding scheduling, profit and loss reports, upcoming events, and any employee-related concerns
- Communicates effectively and daily with all culinary team members and dish crew
- Partners with Executive Chef
- Provides relevant updates in weekly department manager meeting
- Relays relevant news concerning the restaurant to other department managers
- Relays pertinent information and updates to restaurant staff
WHAT YOU WILL BRING:
- 4-6 years of relevant experience
- 4-year degree preferred
- Proven track record achieving business results
- History of leading, motivating, and coaching teams to achieve objectives
- Basic financial acumen
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to effectively and tactfully advise, counsel, coach, resolve conflict, and negotiate within all levels of an organization
- Thorough knowledge of order of service and proper placement of table settings (e.g., china, glass, flatware), food, and beverage as indicated by the kitchen ticket and the guidebook
- Exceptional customer service and problem-solving skills
- "Win together" mentality
- Basic proficiency with MS Office Product Suite, advanced proficiency preferred
- Role requires standing, bending, climbing stairs, and lifting and carrying 35 pounds
- Associates must be willing to work a flexible schedule
YOUR LIFE AND CAREER AT EXEMPLAR LUXURY GROUP:
- Opportunity to work in a dynamic fast paced environment at a company experiencing growth and transformation
- Exposure to rewarding career advancement opportunities across the largest multi-brand luxury retailer from retail to distribution, to digital or corporate
- Comprehensive benefits package for all eligible full-time employees (including medical, vision and dental)
- An amazing employee discount
Benefits: We offer the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements: medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, basic life insurance, supplemental life insurance, disability insurance, and a variety of additional voluntary benefits (such as critical illness, hospital and accident insurance).
Thank you for your interest with Exemplar Luxury Group. We look forward to reviewing your application.
Exemplar Luxury Group is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with Exemplar Luxury Group and would like to request special assistance or an accommodation, please contact candidatesupport@exemplarluxury.com.
Salary Range: $20.31 - $25.39*
Compensation for this role varies by geographic location. The listed range reflects multiple markets, including higher-cost areas. Actual starting pay will be determined based on work location, experience, and other job-related factors.
WHO WE ARE:
Since 1907, Neiman Marcus has been a leader in luxury retail, providing a uniquely curated product assortment, unparalleled services and exclusive activations for customers in Pursuit of the Extraordinary. Known for creating Neiman Marcus magic through exceptional experiences, Neiman Marcus has a rich history as a brand builder, bringing together the world's top luxury designers and customers to foster a dedicated following for generations. We serve customers across our stores, digital channels and through remote selling. Neiman Marcus is part of Exemplar Luxury Group, the luxury collective uniting coveted brands with unrivaled customer experiences.
Job Description:
YOU WILL BE:
A Restaurant Sous Chef promotes the excellence of a Neiman Marcus store by building a professional team, driving team to create top-tier food experiences, managing catering and special parties, and overseeing key Restaurant initiatives.
WHAT YOU WILL DO:
Restaurant Strategy & Administration
- Monitors and documents daily food inventories to minimize food waste, yielding resources to work towards proper food costs
- Maintains necessary skills and knowledge of all kitchen roles to fill in for positions as needed
- Maintains all Health and Sanitation standards as directed by Neiman Marcus, local and federal Health Departments, and third-party sanitation auditors
- Checks each Cook station daily to monitor preparation readiness for service
- Oversees maintenance and cleanliness across all dining rooms and kitchens
- Oversees adherence to Health and Safety standards in work areas
- Drives restaurant to achieve and maintain a 90% score or better on seasonal shop reports and sanitation evaluations
- Upkeeps current recipe book daily detailing specials, soups, and daily menu items
- Works closely with front of house staff to execute orders and any guest requests
- Creates and executes all daily specials and soups by instructing designated kitchen stations on roles
- Monitors, organizes, and expedites all plates leaving the kitchen
- Maintains current and accurate paperwork from POS reports while monitoring restaurant success compared to the bottom line
- Manages inventory amounts, batch invoices, and month-end forecasts
- Works with supervisor to order food and supplies in accordance with Corporate Purchasing Contracts
- Works closely with supervisor on catering needs of special events
- Plans, executes, and/or supports special promotions and events for restaurant
Associate Development
- Enforces Neiman Marcus policies and procedures
- Responsible for coaching and counseling direct reports
- Oversees restaurant Associates in completing daily tasks
- Provides feedback, conflict resolution, and disciplinary action for Associates
- Works with Human Resources Manager on matters relevant to Associates (e.g., training, payroll, benefits)
Communications
- Communicates daily with restaurant management team regarding scheduling, profit and loss reports, upcoming events, and any employee-related concerns
- Communicates effectively and daily with all culinary team members and dish crew
- Partners with Executive Chef
- Provides relevant updates in weekly department manager meeting
- Relays relevant news concerning the restaurant to other department managers
- Relays pertinent information and updates to restaurant staff
WHAT YOU WILL BRING:
- 4-6 years of relevant experience
- 4-year degree preferred
- Proven track record achieving business results
- History of leading, motivating, and coaching teams to achieve objectives
- Basic financial acumen
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to effectively and tactfully advise, counsel, coach, resolve conflict, and negotiate within all levels of an organization
- Thorough knowledge of order of service and proper placement of table settings (e.g., china, glass, flatware), food, and beverage as indicated by the kitchen ticket and the guidebook
- Exceptional customer service and problem-solving skills
- "Win together" mentality
- Basic proficiency with MS Office Product Suite, advanced proficiency preferred
- Role requires standing, bending, climbing stairs, and lifting and carrying 35 pounds
- Associates must be willing to work a flexible schedule
YOUR LIFE AND CAREER AT EXEMPLAR LUXURY GROUP:
- Opportunity to work in a dynamic fast paced environment at a company experiencing growth and transformation
- Exposure to rewarding career advancement opportunities across the largest multi-brand luxury retailer from retail to distribution, to digital or corporate
- Comprehensive benefits package for all eligible full-time employees (including medical, vision and dental)
- An amazing employee discount
Benefits: We offer the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements: medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, basic life insurance, supplemental life insurance, disability insurance, and a variety of additional voluntary benefits (such as critical illness, hospital and accident insurance).
Thank you for your interest with Exemplar Luxury Group. We look forward to reviewing your application.
Exemplar Luxury Group is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with Exemplar Luxury Group and would like to request special assistance or an accommodation, please contact candidatesupport@exemplarluxury.com.
Salary Range: $20.31 - $25.39*
Compensation for this role varies by geographic location. The listed range reflects multiple markets, including higher-cost areas. Actual starting pay will be determined based on work location, experience, and other job-related factors.
See all OPT Chef De Cuisine Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Chef De Cuisine Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Chef De Cuisine
Target hospitality groups over standalone restaurants
Large hotel groups and multi-concept restaurant companies have dedicated HR teams familiar with visa sponsorship. Independent restaurants rarely have the legal infrastructure to sponsor H-1B visa petitions after your OPT expires, making employer size a critical filter.
Lead with your culinary credentials and certifications
Chef De Cuisine roles require demonstrating specialty occupation status for H-1B sponsorship. A culinary arts degree, professional certifications, or formal apprenticeship training from an accredited program significantly strengthens your case with both employers and USCIS.
Start your job search at least six months before OPT ends
H-1B cap-subject petitions must be filed by April 1 for an October 1 start date. If your OPT expires mid-cycle, you need a job offer secured well in advance to align timelines and avoid an authorization gap.
Ask about sponsorship history before investing in interviews
Ask directly whether the company has sponsored foreign national employees before and whether they work with an immigration attorney. Employers with no sponsorship history face a steeper learning curve and may withdraw offers when they understand the actual process.
Document your specialized cuisine expertise clearly
Specialty occupation arguments for culinary roles hinge on demonstrating that the position requires specific advanced training, not general cooking skill. Emphasize regional cuisine mastery, fine dining experience, or Michelin-recognized kitchen backgrounds in your resume and cover letter.
Use Migrate Mate to identify sponsorship-ready employers
Not every hospitality employer lists visa sponsorship willingness upfront. Migrate Mate filters Chef De Cuisine listings to surface employers who have sponsored roles before, saving you from applying to positions where sponsorship was never a realistic option.
Chef De Cuisine OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Chef De Cuisine role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B sponsorship?
It can, but it requires careful documentation. USCIS evaluates whether the position normally requires at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent in a specific field. For Chef De Cuisine roles, employers must demonstrate the job goes beyond general culinary labor and requires advanced, specialized training. A culinary arts degree combined with a senior leadership role in a high-caliber kitchen typically supports that argument.
Can I work as a Chef De Cuisine on OPT before finding an H-1B sponsor?
Yes. Your F-1 OPT work authorization allows you to work in any job directly related to your culinary degree field, including Chef De Cuisine positions. You do not need employer sponsorship during the OPT period itself. Sponsorship only becomes necessary when you need to transition to a longer-term visa category, such as H-1B, after OPT expires.
STEM OPT extension is not available for culinary roles. What are my options?
Culinary arts is not a STEM-designated field, so the 24-month STEM extension does not apply. Your OPT window is capped at 12 months. This makes it essential to secure an H-1B sponsor within that period or explore alternatives such as O-1B for extraordinary ability in the arts, which has been used by chefs with significant professional recognition and media presence.
Where can I find Chef De Cuisine jobs with employers open to OPT and visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is the recommended starting point. It surfaces hospitality and culinary roles from employers with documented sponsorship history, so you are not guessing about willingness. Given the 12-month OPT window and the H-1B lottery deadline, targeting the right employers from day one matters significantly more in culinary fields than in STEM.
What documents should I have ready when applying for Chef De Cuisine jobs on OPT?
Have your EAD card, I-20 with OPT authorization noted, and passport ready to share with HR. Beyond authorization documents, prepare a portfolio demonstrating your culinary training, any certifications, and prior kitchen leadership experience. Employers evaluating sponsorship feasibility will also want to understand your degree field and graduation date to assess H-1B petition timing.