Sous Chef Jobs in California
Sous chef jobs in California rank among the most active in the country, concentrated in fine dining, hotel food and beverage, and large-scale hospitality groups, with openings at every level from junior sous chef through executive sous chef. The deepest hiring activity is in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where established operators like Marriott International, Hilton Hotels, and Compass Group maintain significant culinary staffing. The most in-demand specialties are modern California cuisine, banquet and events production, and multi-unit commissary operations. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Omni La Costa Resort & Spa
Nestled among the beautiful coastal foothills of Carlsbad, CA, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa is a destination where timeless luxury meets modern wellness. Home to the award-winning Spa at La Costa, recognized among the nation’s best, the resort also features acclaimed restaurants showcasing fresh, coastal-inspired cuisine, championship golf and tennis, and a host of pools and experiences that celebrate the Southern California lifestyle.
At Omni La Costa, our associates are the heart of the guest experience. We foster a culture rooted in respect, gratitude, and empowerment, offering comprehensive training, mentorship, and opportunities for growth. If you’re passionate about hospitality, Omni La Costa may be your perfect match.
Sous Chef
Overview:
The Sous Chef will assist in the overall operation of the culinary team and will be responsible for the culinary operation in the absence of the Executive Chef and/or Executive Sous Chef. Partnering with F&B management, this individual is responsible for executing orders, and ensuring a quality experience for hotel guests.
Responsibilities:
- Controls the quality and consistency of all food served.
- Creates and adjusts work schedule according to workloads and occupancy.
- Order and receive ingredients and culinary supplies.
- Consistently conduct departmental line-ups.
- Maintains cleanliness of all food prep and production areas.
- Conducts a month end inventory of all products.
- Ensure work areas are set no less than 15 minutes prior to service.
- Ensure all food supplies necessary for service are in appropriate supply on a timely basis.
- Assist in controlling food cost.
- Assist in producing and plating plates.
- Prepare and properly store food items for advanced production.
- Report any maintenance or security problems to the appropriate department promptly.
- Sets a positive example for guest relations - both internal and external guests.
Qualifications:
- Minimum of 2+ years of hotel/resort or restaurant experience in fast paced, culinary environment
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, to include: AM/PM, weekends, holidays.
- Ability to stand for extended periods of time (at least 8 hours/shift).
- Ability to ensure efficient, effective operation of the food production outlet(s).
- Ability to satisfactorily communicate (verbal and written) in English with vendors, co-workers, and management.
- Ability to read and comprehend detailed instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
- Ability to carry out detailed written and/or oral instructions.
- Ability to write and perform daily prep list and par sheets.
- Ability to meet Omni Hotels & Resorts qualify and performance standards.
- Ability to update and maintain inventory.
- Self motivated, and ability to work with limited supervision.
- Must have passion for profession.
- Must possess or be able to obtain a Food Handlers' Certification within 30 days.
Omni Hotels & Resorts is an equal opportunity/AA/Disability/Veteran employer. The EEO is the Law poster is available using the following link:
EEOC is the Law Poster.
Omni Hotels & Resorts does not discriminate on the basis of any protected category with respect to the payment of wages.
If you are interested in applying for employment with Omni Hotels & Resorts and need special assistance to apply for a posted position, please send an email to: applicationassistance@omnihotels.com.
Omni La Costa Resort & Spa
Nestled among the beautiful coastal foothills of Carlsbad, CA, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa is a destination where timeless luxury meets modern wellness. Home to the award-winning Spa at La Costa, recognized among the nation’s best, the resort also features acclaimed restaurants showcasing fresh, coastal-inspired cuisine, championship golf and tennis, and a host of pools and experiences that celebrate the Southern California lifestyle.
At Omni La Costa, our associates are the heart of the guest experience. We foster a culture rooted in respect, gratitude, and empowerment, offering comprehensive training, mentorship, and opportunities for growth. If you’re passionate about hospitality, Omni La Costa may be your perfect match.
Sous Chef
Overview:
The Sous Chef will assist in the overall operation of the culinary team and will be responsible for the culinary operation in the absence of the Executive Chef and/or Executive Sous Chef. Partnering with F&B management, this individual is responsible for executing orders, and ensuring a quality experience for hotel guests.
Responsibilities:
- Controls the quality and consistency of all food served.
- Creates and adjusts work schedule according to workloads and occupancy.
- Order and receive ingredients and culinary supplies.
- Consistently conduct departmental line-ups.
- Maintains cleanliness of all food prep and production areas.
- Conducts a month end inventory of all products.
- Ensure work areas are set no less than 15 minutes prior to service.
- Ensure all food supplies necessary for service are in appropriate supply on a timely basis.
- Assist in controlling food cost.
- Assist in producing and plating plates.
- Prepare and properly store food items for advanced production.
- Report any maintenance or security problems to the appropriate department promptly.
- Sets a positive example for guest relations - both internal and external guests.
Qualifications:
- Minimum of 2+ years of hotel/resort or restaurant experience in fast paced, culinary environment
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, to include: AM/PM, weekends, holidays.
- Ability to stand for extended periods of time (at least 8 hours/shift).
- Ability to ensure efficient, effective operation of the food production outlet(s).
- Ability to satisfactorily communicate (verbal and written) in English with vendors, co-workers, and management.
- Ability to read and comprehend detailed instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
- Ability to carry out detailed written and/or oral instructions.
- Ability to write and perform daily prep list and par sheets.
- Ability to meet Omni Hotels & Resorts qualify and performance standards.
- Ability to update and maintain inventory.
- Self motivated, and ability to work with limited supervision.
- Must have passion for profession.
- Must possess or be able to obtain a Food Handlers' Certification within 30 days.
Omni Hotels & Resorts is an equal opportunity/AA/Disability/Veteran employer. The EEO is the Law poster is available using the following link:
EEOC is the Law Poster.
Omni Hotels & Resorts does not discriminate on the basis of any protected category with respect to the payment of wages.
If you are interested in applying for employment with Omni Hotels & Resorts and need special assistance to apply for a posted position, please send an email to: applicationassistance@omnihotels.com.
See All 32 Sous Chef Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Sous Chef JobsSous Chef Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Sous Chef Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Omni Hotels4
- Eataly Silicon Valley3
- Aspen Skiing Company2
- Brentwood School2
- California Institute of Technology2
Top Industries Hiring
- Hospitality & Tourism7
- Food & Beverage6
- Retail5
- Education4
- Sports & Recreation3
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in sous chef jobs across California.
- Culinary degree or certificate from an accredited California program or equivalent
- At least two years of line or station experience in a professional kitchen
- Demonstrated ability to manage prep schedules and execute mise en place independently
- Current California Food Handler Card or ServSafe Manager Certification
- Experience costing recipes, controlling food waste, and managing kitchen labor
- Ability to train, supervise, and give feedback to a kitchen crew
Sous Chef Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a sous chef in California?
The concrete path in California starts with a culinary arts program at a community college or culinary school, such as those offered through the California community college system or Le Cordon Bleu-affiliated institutions. California does not license sous chefs through a state board, but all food handlers and managers must hold a California Food Handler Card or ServSafe Manager Certification as required by the California Retail Food Code. From there, progression through line cook and lead cook roles at a recognized California restaurant or hotel kitchen is the standard route to a sous chef title.
Which companies hire sous chefs in California?
Employers hiring sous chefs in California right now include Omni Hotels, Eataly Silicon Valley, and Aspen Skiing Company, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of full-service hotels, casino resorts, and multi-concept restaurant groups means large hospitality operators tend to post consistently throughout the year rather than seasonally.
Which California cities have the most sous chef jobs?
Los Angeles, Carlsbad, and San Jose have the most sous chef openings in California. Los Angeles leads because of its dense concentration of independent fine-dining restaurants, studio commissaries, and flagship hotels, while San Francisco's volume reflects its high-profile food culture and convention hotel demand, and San Diego draws steady postings from its resort corridor and growing food and beverage scene.
Are there remote sous chef jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. About 0% of sous chef openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, since the role is fundamentally hands-on and requires physical presence in a kitchen. The narrow slice of remote work that does exist tends to involve recipe development, menu consulting, or culinary content creation rather than day-to-day kitchen management.
How can I get hired as a sous chef in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a prep cook or line cook position at a larger California hospitality employer that promotes from within, such as a full-service hotel kitchen or a multi-unit restaurant group. Large operators like Marriott and Hilton often run structured culinary training tracks for entry-level kitchen staff in California. Completing a California community college culinary certificate and holding a current ServSafe Manager Certification will meaningfully strengthen your application even before you have sous chef-level experience.
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 California openings from employers hiring now. Find roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 32 Sous Chef Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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