Sous Chef Jobs in California

Sous Chef jobs in California are concentrated in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where the restaurant industry ranges from Michelin-starred fine dining to large hotel groups and entertainment venue kitchens. Employers like the Four Seasons, Marriott International, and Disney parks maintain steady sous chef pipelines across the state, particularly for candidates with expertise in farm-to-table cuisine, large-volume banquet production, and modern California-Mediterranean cooking. Demand is strong at mid-career and senior levels, with independent restaurants and resort properties both competing for experienced kitchen leadership. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles255+
Top employerBon Appétit
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Cities hiring102
Work type96% On-site
Top industryRetail

Showing 5 of 255+ Sous Chef jobs

Sous Chef, Culinary
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New 7h ago
Sous Chef, Culinary
BlueStar Resort & Golf
Lincoln, California
Business Operations
Program Management
Project Management
High school diploma or GED
1,001-5,000

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Sous Chef Asian Fusion
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New 23h ago
Sous Chef Asian Fusion
Rockstar Execs
San Francisco, California
Customer Service
Food Service
Hospitality Management
$40 - $50/hr

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2027 Summer Camp Assistant Kitchen Manager / Sous Chef
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Added 1d ago
2027 Summer Camp Assistant Kitchen Manager / Sous Chef
Wolfoods
San Diego, California
Business Operations
Program Management
Project Management
$900 - $1,200/yr
On-Site
ServSafe Certification
201-500

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2027 Summer Camp Assistant Kitchen Manager / Sous Chef
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Added 1d ago
2027 Summer Camp Assistant Kitchen Manager / Sous Chef
Wolfoods
Los Angeles, California
Events & Tourism
Food Service
Hospitality Management
$900 - $1,200/yr
On-Site
ServSafe Certification
201-500

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Sous Chef
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Added 2d ago
Sous Chef
Cool Bites Patisserie
Glendale, California
Chefs & Cooks
Food Service
Hospitality Management
$65k - $75k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor of Science

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Sous Chef Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Los Angeles
29 jobs
San Francisco
29 jobs
San Diego
24 jobs
Beverly Hills
8 jobs
Universal City
8 jobs
Sunnyvale
7 jobs
Santa Clara
7 jobs
San Jose
6 jobs
Oakland
4 jobs

Sous Chef Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Bon Appétit12
  • Eurest6
  • RH5
  • NBCUniversal5
  • STK Steakhouse5

Top Industries Hiring

  • Retail
  • Food & Beverage
  • Sports & Recreation
  • Hospitality & Tourism
  • Technology & Software

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in sous chef jobs across California.

  • ServSafe Food Manager certification or equivalent California-accepted food safety credential required
  • Three or more years of line cook or junior sous chef experience in a professional kitchen
  • Demonstrated experience leading and scheduling a kitchen team during high-volume service
  • Culinary degree or completion of a recognized culinary arts program strongly preferred
  • Proficiency in cost control, menu costing, and food and labor budget management
  • Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays consistent with California restaurant operations

Sous Chef Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a sous chef in California?

Becoming a sous chef in California typically requires culinary training followed by progressive kitchen experience. California does not issue a state sous chef license, but employers expect a ServSafe Food Manager certification, which is administered through the California Retail Food Code and accepted statewide. Most candidates complete a culinary arts program at a community college or culinary institute, then advance through line cook and cook roles at California restaurants, hotels, or catering operations before reaching sous chef level.

Which companies hire sous chefs in California?

California sous chef roles are posted by Bon Appétit, Eurest, and RH and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of luxury hotels, resort properties, and large entertainment venues means that hospitality groups are among the most consistent hirers in the state year-round.

Which California cities have the most sous chef jobs?

Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego have the most sous chef openings in California. Los Angeles drives volume through its dense mix of fine dining, hotel kitchens, and entertainment industry catering, San Francisco anchors demand across its restaurant-heavy neighborhoods and tech-sector corporate dining, and San Diego draws consistent openings from resort properties and a growing independent restaurant scene along the coast.

Are there remote sous chef jobs in California?

Yes, but they are rare. Sous chef work is fundamentally hands-on kitchen leadership, and the overwhelming majority of roles require daily on-site presence. About 4% of sous chef openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those are almost exclusively menu consulting, culinary content creation, or corporate food program coordination roles that do not involve managing a live kitchen.

How can I get hired as a sous chef in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is through a prep cook or line cook role at a California hotel group, restaurant group, or institutional kitchen, then advancing internally. Large California employers such as Marriott and Hyatt properties run structured culinary development programs that promote from within. Community colleges across California, including City College of San Francisco and Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, offer culinary arts programs that pair with entry-level kitchen roles. Earning a ServSafe Food Manager certification before applying signals readiness to California employers and strengthens any entry-level application.

Where can I find and apply to sous chef jobs in California?

You can find and apply to sous chef jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your experience and preferred location, and apply directly.

See All 255+ Sous Chef Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Sous Chef Jobs