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.
Find OPT Sous Chef JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 119+ Sous Chef jobs
See all 119+ Sous Chef Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Sous Chef roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Sous Chef provides operational and culinary leadership to UNL’s Kosher kitchen and multiple dining operations across campus.
The Sous Chef will:
Help lead kitchen operations with experience and passion for food service and high level of customer engagement.
Serve as a key member within the dining center and culinary leadership team.
Assist in the creation and execution of developing a culture within dining locations that prioritizes quality, innovation, nutrition, and sustainability while serving the residential and campus community.
Make data driven decisions for menu planning, labor forecasting to ensure fiscal responsibility.
Support campus events, themed meals, and outreach programming.
About us
At the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, we’re proud to be consistently recognized by Forbes as a top employer and recently earned the Lincoln Family Friendly Workplace certification. We are known for our welcoming, supportive environment, commitment to professional growth, and outstanding benefits. UNL isn’t just a workplace; it’s a place to build your career and make a meaningful impact in Nebraska.
When you join our team as a full-time, regular staff member, you’ll enjoy:
Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, parental leave, and holidays
Comprehensive insurance options, including medical, dental, vision, and life coverage
Employee and dependent scholarship programs to pursue higher education
Retirement plans with university match
A workplace culture that values your time outside of work*
Learn more about working at UNL: https://go.unl.edu/aboutus
The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. See https://go.unl.edu/nondiscrimination.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Associate’s degree in hospitality, culinary arts, or a related field (or equivalent experience.)
Minimum of 3 years of culinary and/or large scale kitchen experience; including recipe development, supervising a team, and special dietary accommodations.
Experience recognizing and training food safety practices.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with foodservice software systems.
ServSafe Management certification (or ability to obtain within 90 days).
Experience providing team leadership and motivation.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to work a flexible schedule including weekends, evenings, and campus events.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Certified Chef de Cuisine (CCC) or similar culinary certification
Proven culinary expertise, including global cuisines.
Familiarity with CBORD/NetMenu.
3 years of supervisory experience within a college/university, hotel, or large-scale restaurant operation.
* Experience in catering, special events, and student/staff engagement.
POSTED SALARY
$54,000/yr minimum
HOW TO APPLY
Click on “Apply for this Job”. You will then either create an application or edit your current application that is on file. You will be required to attach your resume, cover letter and list of references as three (3) separate documents in MS Word or PDF format.
INTRODUCTION
The Sous Chef provides operational and culinary leadership to UNL’s Kosher kitchen and multiple dining operations across campus.
The Sous Chef will:
Help lead kitchen operations with experience and passion for food service and high level of customer engagement.
Serve as a key member within the dining center and culinary leadership team.
Assist in the creation and execution of developing a culture within dining locations that prioritizes quality, innovation, nutrition, and sustainability while serving the residential and campus community.
Make data driven decisions for menu planning, labor forecasting to ensure fiscal responsibility.
Support campus events, themed meals, and outreach programming.
About us
At the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, we’re proud to be consistently recognized by Forbes as a top employer and recently earned the Lincoln Family Friendly Workplace certification. We are known for our welcoming, supportive environment, commitment to professional growth, and outstanding benefits. UNL isn’t just a workplace; it’s a place to build your career and make a meaningful impact in Nebraska.
When you join our team as a full-time, regular staff member, you’ll enjoy:
Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, parental leave, and holidays
Comprehensive insurance options, including medical, dental, vision, and life coverage
Employee and dependent scholarship programs to pursue higher education
Retirement plans with university match
A workplace culture that values your time outside of work*
Learn more about working at UNL: https://go.unl.edu/aboutus
The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. See https://go.unl.edu/nondiscrimination.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Associate’s degree in hospitality, culinary arts, or a related field (or equivalent experience.)
Minimum of 3 years of culinary and/or large scale kitchen experience; including recipe development, supervising a team, and special dietary accommodations.
Experience recognizing and training food safety practices.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with foodservice software systems.
ServSafe Management certification (or ability to obtain within 90 days).
Experience providing team leadership and motivation.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to work a flexible schedule including weekends, evenings, and campus events.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Certified Chef de Cuisine (CCC) or similar culinary certification
Proven culinary expertise, including global cuisines.
Familiarity with CBORD/NetMenu.
3 years of supervisory experience within a college/university, hotel, or large-scale restaurant operation.
* Experience in catering, special events, and student/staff engagement.
POSTED SALARY
$54,000/yr minimum
HOW TO APPLY
Click on “Apply for this Job”. You will then either create an application or edit your current application that is on file. You will be required to attach your resume, cover letter and list of references as three (3) separate documents in MS Word or PDF format.
See all 119+ 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.