Sous Chef Jobs for OPT Students
Sous Chef jobs on OPT are available at restaurants, hotels, and food service operations that sponsor H-1B 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 JobsLas Vegas, Nevada
The SHOW comes alive at MGM Resorts International
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work in a place full of excitement, diversity, and entertainment? Are you enthusiastic about being a team player in one of the most fascinating industries in the world? At MGM Resorts, we seek individuals like YOU to create unique and show-stopping experiences for our guests.
THE JOB:
Step into the spotlight as Executive Sous Chef at Aria’s Posh Burger, where you’ll lead a dynamic kitchen team, spark culinary innovation, and deliver standout results that meet MGM’s elite standards. You’ll craft irresistible dishes, streamline operations, and energize your team through hands-on leadership and inspiring mentorship. If you’re driven to create unforgettable dining experiences, this is your chance to make a bold mark in the world of upscale cuisine.
THE DAY-TO-DAY:
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Lead and oversee daily restaurant kitchen operations, fiscal budgets, labor productivity, scheduling, inventory control, guest service standards, and execution and development of menu strategies to produce short-term profitability. Execute on the restaurant’s business plan and assist Executive Chef with developing and executing tactics to achieve goals and targets.
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Responsible for execution of policies, operating procedures, training programs, directives, menus, rules and regulations for the restaurant staff. Owns restaurant’s execution of F&B and/or company-wide initiatives and programs. Maintain the highest standards of health, sanitation and cleanliness within all areas of kitchen. Responsible for completion of all company compliance training by the restaurant staff.
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Assist Executive Chef with managing Human Resources responsibilities for Restaurant to include: creating a work environment that promotes teamwork, performance feedback (coaching and counseling), recognition, mutual respect and employee satisfaction; quality hiring, training and succession planning process that encompass the company’s diversity commitment; adherence to the company’s status quo third party representation philosophy; compliance with company policies, legal requirements, employment law, and collective bargaining agreements.
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Interacts with guests to ensure satisfaction and enjoyment of dining experience. Reacts to any guest complaints and takes any appropriate action. Work alongside the service team to ensure a seamless service experience between kitchen and dining room.
-
Maintains excellent knowledge of venue’s food & beverage products, menu items and equipment used to perform duties.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:
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Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience
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Previous experience managing employees under a collective bargaining agreement preferred
-
Bilingual, English as the primary or secondary language preferred
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Previous experience working in a high-volume restaurant or previous experience in a luxury or fine-dining restaurant preferred
THE PERKS & BENEFITS:
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Wellness incentive programs to help you stay healthy physically and mentally
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Access to company hotel, food and beverage, retail, and entertainment discounts as well as discounts with company partners on things like travel, electronics, online shopping, and more
-
Free meals in our employee dining room
-
Free parking on and off shift
-
Health & Income Protection benefits (for eligible employees)
-
Professional and personal development through programs and networking opportunities as well as volunteer opportunities in the community
Are you ready to JOIN THE SHOW? Apply today!
Las Vegas, Nevada
The SHOW comes alive at MGM Resorts International
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work in a place full of excitement, diversity, and entertainment? Are you enthusiastic about being a team player in one of the most fascinating industries in the world? At MGM Resorts, we seek individuals like YOU to create unique and show-stopping experiences for our guests.
THE JOB:
Step into the spotlight as Executive Sous Chef at Aria’s Posh Burger, where you’ll lead a dynamic kitchen team, spark culinary innovation, and deliver standout results that meet MGM’s elite standards. You’ll craft irresistible dishes, streamline operations, and energize your team through hands-on leadership and inspiring mentorship. If you’re driven to create unforgettable dining experiences, this is your chance to make a bold mark in the world of upscale cuisine.
THE DAY-TO-DAY:
-
Lead and oversee daily restaurant kitchen operations, fiscal budgets, labor productivity, scheduling, inventory control, guest service standards, and execution and development of menu strategies to produce short-term profitability. Execute on the restaurant’s business plan and assist Executive Chef with developing and executing tactics to achieve goals and targets.
-
Responsible for execution of policies, operating procedures, training programs, directives, menus, rules and regulations for the restaurant staff. Owns restaurant’s execution of F&B and/or company-wide initiatives and programs. Maintain the highest standards of health, sanitation and cleanliness within all areas of kitchen. Responsible for completion of all company compliance training by the restaurant staff.
-
Assist Executive Chef with managing Human Resources responsibilities for Restaurant to include: creating a work environment that promotes teamwork, performance feedback (coaching and counseling), recognition, mutual respect and employee satisfaction; quality hiring, training and succession planning process that encompass the company’s diversity commitment; adherence to the company’s status quo third party representation philosophy; compliance with company policies, legal requirements, employment law, and collective bargaining agreements.
-
Interacts with guests to ensure satisfaction and enjoyment of dining experience. Reacts to any guest complaints and takes any appropriate action. Work alongside the service team to ensure a seamless service experience between kitchen and dining room.
-
Maintains excellent knowledge of venue’s food & beverage products, menu items and equipment used to perform duties.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:
-
Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience
-
Previous experience managing employees under a collective bargaining agreement preferred
-
Bilingual, English as the primary or secondary language preferred
-
Previous experience working in a high-volume restaurant or previous experience in a luxury or fine-dining restaurant preferred
THE PERKS & BENEFITS:
-
Wellness incentive programs to help you stay healthy physically and mentally
-
Access to company hotel, food and beverage, retail, and entertainment discounts as well as discounts with company partners on things like travel, electronics, online shopping, and more
-
Free meals in our employee dining room
-
Free parking on and off shift
-
Health & Income Protection benefits (for eligible employees)
-
Professional and personal development through programs and networking opportunities as well as volunteer opportunities in the community
Are you ready to JOIN THE SHOW? Apply today!
How to Get Visa 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 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 jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently 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.
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