OPT Sous Chef Jobs
Sous Chef jobs on OPT are available at restaurants, hotels, and food service operations that sponsor H-1B visa or permanent residency for culinary professionals. Your 12-month OPT window (or 24-month STEM extension if your degree qualifies) gives employers time to evaluate you before committing to long-term sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsDescription
Summary:
The immediate direct support Chef in charge of Culinary functions within an outlet when the Restaurant Executive Chef isn’t on property.
Responsibilities:
The Chef is directly responsible for all aspects of daily food preparation, supporting the Chef and the set directions in all areas of F&B. They direct kitchen staff and all food related concerns or topics on behalf of the Restaurant Executive Chef.
The following is a sample list:
- Support the Chef in Developing and representing all Food, Beverage, and Service of the Department, creating the culture with continuous learning and training with emphasis on high quality, fresh ingredients utilizing seasonal techniques and preparations appropriate for each outlet or event, balancing Quality and Profit.
- Interview, hire, as directed & train and manage all culinary staff on a daily basis
- Have knowledge of all current local health department, Corporate HACCP and Food Safety SOP’s, & Federal Guidelines, ensure the operation is in continuous compliance
- Help Organize, Oversee and Manage all Food prep operations in Daily Operations
- Help Create all menus, recipes, use records,
- Help organize and execute menu implementation list and timelines
- Ensure continuous success of the kitchen brigade and stations assignments following the WLW SOP’s and directives, utilizing all daily forms and functions of WLW
- Support the Chef, Sales Dept., E.M., and outlet FOH in the Food and Beverage marketing and sales programs
- Execute all accounting procedures required not limited to and including F&B check book, Food checkbook, invoice processing, payroll, monthly inventories and P&L critiques in conjunction with, or as assigned
- Check freshness of foods and ingredients, ensure all recipes and portion use records are followed
- Monitor all Food related expenses and ensure budgeted levels are achieved
- Monitor all guest corporate feedback scores and conspire for positive influence on rankings
- Foster a climate of cooperation and respect between coworkers
- Mentor all associates for career development and advancement
COMPETENCIES
- Analytical Skills
- Leading Edge
- Creativity
- Adaptability
- Customer focus
- Coaching
- Energy
- Selecting A Players
- Team Building
SKILLS
- Basic Computer Skills featuring Excel, WORD, Outlook, TM1, Etc
- All Cooking and preparation equipment knowledge
- All stewarding cleaning and maintenance equipment
- Basic Human Resources Skills and Knowledges
- Basic Sales Skills, and Technique Knowledges
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
- Associates of Culinary Arts or Business Administrative
WORKING CONDITIONS
- 35% Cerebral and 65% Physical
Compensation
Compensation starts at $65,779 to $76,899. Accepting applications for up to 7 days from the date the job was posted.
Description
Summary:
The immediate direct support Chef in charge of Culinary functions within an outlet when the Restaurant Executive Chef isn’t on property.
Responsibilities:
The Chef is directly responsible for all aspects of daily food preparation, supporting the Chef and the set directions in all areas of F&B. They direct kitchen staff and all food related concerns or topics on behalf of the Restaurant Executive Chef.
The following is a sample list:
- Support the Chef in Developing and representing all Food, Beverage, and Service of the Department, creating the culture with continuous learning and training with emphasis on high quality, fresh ingredients utilizing seasonal techniques and preparations appropriate for each outlet or event, balancing Quality and Profit.
- Interview, hire, as directed & train and manage all culinary staff on a daily basis
- Have knowledge of all current local health department, Corporate HACCP and Food Safety SOP’s, & Federal Guidelines, ensure the operation is in continuous compliance
- Help Organize, Oversee and Manage all Food prep operations in Daily Operations
- Help Create all menus, recipes, use records,
- Help organize and execute menu implementation list and timelines
- Ensure continuous success of the kitchen brigade and stations assignments following the WLW SOP’s and directives, utilizing all daily forms and functions of WLW
- Support the Chef, Sales Dept., E.M., and outlet FOH in the Food and Beverage marketing and sales programs
- Execute all accounting procedures required not limited to and including F&B check book, Food checkbook, invoice processing, payroll, monthly inventories and P&L critiques in conjunction with, or as assigned
- Check freshness of foods and ingredients, ensure all recipes and portion use records are followed
- Monitor all Food related expenses and ensure budgeted levels are achieved
- Monitor all guest corporate feedback scores and conspire for positive influence on rankings
- Foster a climate of cooperation and respect between coworkers
- Mentor all associates for career development and advancement
COMPETENCIES
- Analytical Skills
- Leading Edge
- Creativity
- Adaptability
- Customer focus
- Coaching
- Energy
- Selecting A Players
- Team Building
SKILLS
- Basic Computer Skills featuring Excel, WORD, Outlook, TM1, Etc
- All Cooking and preparation equipment knowledge
- All stewarding cleaning and maintenance equipment
- Basic Human Resources Skills and Knowledges
- Basic Sales Skills, and Technique Knowledges
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
- Associates of Culinary Arts or Business Administrative
WORKING CONDITIONS
- 35% Cerebral and 65% Physical
Compensation
Compensation starts at $65,779 to $76,899. Accepting applications for up to 7 days from the date the job was posted.
See all 107+ OPT Sous Chef Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Sous Chef Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Sous Chef
Target hospitality groups over independent restaurants
Large hotel groups, restaurant chains, and food service management companies have dedicated HR teams and established visa sponsorship processes. Independent restaurants rarely have the legal infrastructure to sponsor work visas, making corporate hospitality employers a far more practical starting point.
Frame your culinary training as a specialty occupation
H-1B visa sponsorship requires your role to qualify as a specialty occupation. Emphasize your culinary arts or hospitality management degree, specialized techniques, and any coursework in food science or nutrition that distinguishes your background from on-the-job training alone.
Raise sponsorship early in the interview process
Culinary hiring moves fast. Bring up your OPT status and sponsorship needs before a trial shift or offer stage. Employers who cannot sponsor will say so early, saving both parties time and letting you focus on employers who can.
Highlight certifications that strengthen your specialty occupation case
ServSafe Manager certification, ACF credentials, or formal sommelier training all signal professional-level culinary expertise. These credentials reinforce the argument that your role requires specialized knowledge, which matters when an employer's attorney files an H-1B petition.
Pursue roles at properties tied to international hotel brands
International hotel brands operating in the U.S., such as those in the luxury and fine dining segment, frequently transfer culinary talent across properties. These employers understand immigration processes and are more likely to have sponsored chefs before, reducing internal friction.
Document your supervisory scope on your resume
Sous Chef roles that involve managing kitchen staff, overseeing food production budgets, and developing menus carry more weight in a specialty occupation analysis. Quantify your responsibilities: number of staff supervised, covers per service, and any menu development ownership.
Sous Chef OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Sous Chef role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B sponsorship?
It can, but it requires careful documentation. USCIS scrutinizes culinary roles closely because not all chef positions require a bachelor's degree. A Sous Chef role at a fine dining establishment or luxury hotel, supported by a culinary arts or hospitality management degree and a job description emphasizing specialized expertise, gives the strongest foundation for an H-1B petition.
Which types of employers are most likely to sponsor OPT Sous Chefs?
Luxury hotel groups, resort properties, casino food and beverage operations, and large contract food service companies are the most consistent sponsors. These organizations have legal departments or retained immigration counsel, prior sponsorship experience with culinary staff, and the financial capacity to absorb visa costs. Browse Migrate Mate to find Sous Chef openings filtered for OPT and visa sponsorship eligibility.
Does a culinary arts degree from a U.S. university count toward OPT eligibility?
Yes. If you hold an F-1 visa and graduated from an accredited U.S. institution with a culinary arts, hospitality management, or food science degree, you qualify for 12 months of post-completion OPT. STEM extension applies only if your specific degree program appears on the STEM designated degree program list, which most culinary programs do not.
What should I do if my OPT expires before my employer files for H-1B?
The H-1B cap-subject filing window opens every April 1 for an October 1 start date. If your OPT expires before October 1, you may be eligible for a cap-gap extension that automatically bridges your status if your employer files before your OPT end date. Talk to your DSO and your employer's immigration attorney as early as possible to confirm timing.
Are trial shifts and stage work permitted under OPT authorization?
OPT authorizes employment in your field of study, and a paid stage or trial shift at a potential employer generally falls within that authorization. Unpaid work is more complex and could be considered a violation of your OPT terms depending on the duration and structure. Confirm the details with your DSO before completing any unpaid kitchen trial.