Sous Chef Jobs in Illinois
Sous chef jobs in Illinois are concentrated in Chicago, the state's dominant culinary hub, along with Evanston and Naperville, where demand runs from independent fine-dining kitchens to large hospitality groups. Employers with a lasting presence in Illinois include Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, and Sodexo, all of which maintain active culinary operations across the state. The most in-demand specialties are contemporary American cuisine, large-scale banquet production, and farm-to-table concepts tied to the Midwest food scene. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 90+ Sous Chef jobs
Waldorf Astoria Chicago is looking for a Senior Sous Chef to join the team in Chicago's Gold Coast!
Recognized as one of the Best Hotels in the World and in Chicago with the Top Hotel Spa in the U.S., the AAA-Five-Diamond, Forbes 4-Star Waldorf Astoria Chicago is nestled in the prestigious Gold Coast neighborhood among the famed Oak Street retailers and beach, Rush Street restaurants and nightlife, and The Magnificent Mile. Reminiscent of the grand Parisian hotels of the 1920s, this luxury hotel features 215 rooms, over 5,000 square feet of meeting space and 4 food and beverage outlets. This includes a restaurant, 2 bars, and in-room dining.
At Waldorf Astoria, we create unforgettable experiences for our guests, meaningful opportunities for our Team Members, and a positive impact in our community.
Want to learn more? Hotel Website , Facebook , Instagram
Exceptional Hospitality Starts with You
Picture yourself brightening someone’s day. When you join our Hotels team, that’s exactly what you’ll do every time you come to work! As a Senior Sous Chef , you’re not just leading daily kitchen operations – you’re spreading the light and warmth of hospitality by delivering memorable experiences that make the stay for every guest.
Here's what you'll do during a typical day:
- Lead culinary team operations: Provide hands-on leadership and in-the-moment coaching to kitchen staff, with either a focus on Outlets or Banquets
- Oversee production and service: Manage daily kitchen operations, including creating and monitoring production lists, completing line checks, and expediting service periods
- Enhance menu offerings: Develop and implement seasonal menus, promotional features, and daily specials
- Promote cross-department collaboration: Foster strong, positive relationships between Front of House and Back of House teams to ensure seamless operations.
- Provide administrative support: Assist with inventory management, ordering, and scheduling
- Uphold regulatory standards: Maintain compliance with health, safety, sanitation, and alcohol awareness regulations, ensuring the highest standards of guest and team member wellbeing
What It Takes to Make the Stay
At Hilton, our core values define what it takes to succeed here and guide the qualities we look for in every team member:
A passion for spreading the light and warmth of Hospitality . Acting with Integrity and always doing the right thing. Inspiring others through Leadership . A belief that Teamwork drives the best outcomes. A sense of Ownership and accountability. And a focus on the Now , bringing urgency and discipline to every moment, knowing it can make a lasting impact.
How We'll Help You Thrive
At Hilton, the hospitality we’re known for doesn’t end with our guests. We proudly invest in our Team Members’ wellbeing, supporting you through all of life’s moments. When you join Hilton, our exceptional care extends to you with unmatched perks and benefits, including*:
- Incredible travel perks – Enjoy 110 nights of deeply discounted travel, with room rates as low as $40/night at our world-class hotels through our Go Hilton travel program
- Own a piece of Hilton – Through our employee stock purchase program (ESPP), you can invest in Hilton shares at a 15% discount to help build your financial future
- Paid parental leave – Because family matters. We offer paid leave for eligible Team Members, including partners and adoptive parents
- Personalized caregiving support – Access dedicated caregiving concierge services to help navigate caregiving for yourself and your loved ones
- Crisis concierge – In times of loss, our Crisis Concierge offers a single, compassionate point of contact for both practical support and emotional care
- Mental health resources – Your wellbeing comes first. Eligible Team Members can access free counseling and support through our best-in-class Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Generous paid time off (PTO) – Recharge, relax, and take time for what matters most
- Health & welfare benefits – From checkups to dental cleanings to new glasses, we offer a variety of health plans that keep you and your family covered
- Financial security for your future – Our retirement plans make it easier to save for what’s next
*Benefits availability may vary depending on Team Member’s location as well as terms and conditions of employment and are subject to the terms and conditions of each specific program/plan.
Waldorf Astoria Chicago is looking for a Senior Sous Chef to join the team in Chicago's Gold Coast!
Recognized as one of the Best Hotels in the World and in Chicago with the Top Hotel Spa in the U.S., the AAA-Five-Diamond, Forbes 4-Star Waldorf Astoria Chicago is nestled in the prestigious Gold Coast neighborhood among the famed Oak Street retailers and beach, Rush Street restaurants and nightlife, and The Magnificent Mile. Reminiscent of the grand Parisian hotels of the 1920s, this luxury hotel features 215 rooms, over 5,000 square feet of meeting space and 4 food and beverage outlets. This includes a restaurant, 2 bars, and in-room dining.
At Waldorf Astoria, we create unforgettable experiences for our guests, meaningful opportunities for our Team Members, and a positive impact in our community.
Want to learn more? Hotel Website , Facebook , Instagram
Exceptional Hospitality Starts with You
Picture yourself brightening someone’s day. When you join our Hotels team, that’s exactly what you’ll do every time you come to work! As a Senior Sous Chef , you’re not just leading daily kitchen operations – you’re spreading the light and warmth of hospitality by delivering memorable experiences that make the stay for every guest.
Here's what you'll do during a typical day:
- Lead culinary team operations: Provide hands-on leadership and in-the-moment coaching to kitchen staff, with either a focus on Outlets or Banquets
- Oversee production and service: Manage daily kitchen operations, including creating and monitoring production lists, completing line checks, and expediting service periods
- Enhance menu offerings: Develop and implement seasonal menus, promotional features, and daily specials
- Promote cross-department collaboration: Foster strong, positive relationships between Front of House and Back of House teams to ensure seamless operations.
- Provide administrative support: Assist with inventory management, ordering, and scheduling
- Uphold regulatory standards: Maintain compliance with health, safety, sanitation, and alcohol awareness regulations, ensuring the highest standards of guest and team member wellbeing
What It Takes to Make the Stay
At Hilton, our core values define what it takes to succeed here and guide the qualities we look for in every team member:
A passion for spreading the light and warmth of Hospitality . Acting with Integrity and always doing the right thing. Inspiring others through Leadership . A belief that Teamwork drives the best outcomes. A sense of Ownership and accountability. And a focus on the Now , bringing urgency and discipline to every moment, knowing it can make a lasting impact.
How We'll Help You Thrive
At Hilton, the hospitality we’re known for doesn’t end with our guests. We proudly invest in our Team Members’ wellbeing, supporting you through all of life’s moments. When you join Hilton, our exceptional care extends to you with unmatched perks and benefits, including*:
- Incredible travel perks – Enjoy 110 nights of deeply discounted travel, with room rates as low as $40/night at our world-class hotels through our Go Hilton travel program
- Own a piece of Hilton – Through our employee stock purchase program (ESPP), you can invest in Hilton shares at a 15% discount to help build your financial future
- Paid parental leave – Because family matters. We offer paid leave for eligible Team Members, including partners and adoptive parents
- Personalized caregiving support – Access dedicated caregiving concierge services to help navigate caregiving for yourself and your loved ones
- Crisis concierge – In times of loss, our Crisis Concierge offers a single, compassionate point of contact for both practical support and emotional care
- Mental health resources – Your wellbeing comes first. Eligible Team Members can access free counseling and support through our best-in-class Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Generous paid time off (PTO) – Recharge, relax, and take time for what matters most
- Health & welfare benefits – From checkups to dental cleanings to new glasses, we offer a variety of health plans that keep you and your family covered
- Financial security for your future – Our retirement plans make it easier to save for what’s next
*Benefits availability may vary depending on Team Member’s location as well as terms and conditions of employment and are subject to the terms and conditions of each specific program/plan.
See All 90 Sous Chef Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Sous Chef JobsSous Chef Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Sous Chef Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in sous chef jobs across Illinois.
- Minimum two to three years of line or kitchen leadership experience in a professional setting
- Demonstrated ability to manage kitchen staff, scheduling, and daily prep operations
- Proficiency in menu development, recipe costing, and food waste reduction
- Food handler certification recognized under Illinois Department of Public Health regulations
- Experience maintaining compliance with Illinois food safety and sanitation standards
- Strong knowledge of inventory management, ordering, and vendor relationships
Sous Chef Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a sous chef in Illinois?
Becoming a sous chef in Illinois typically starts with a culinary degree or diploma from a program like those at Kendall College or College of DuPage, followed by several years of progressive kitchen experience. Illinois does not require a state culinary license for sous chefs, but employers consistently expect a food handler or food protection manager certification compliant with Illinois Department of Public Health standards. Advancing from line cook to chef de partie before pursuing sous chef roles is the most reliable path.
Which companies hire sous chefs in Illinois?
Companies currently hiring sous chefs in Illinois include Lettuce Entertain You, Levy, and Rapport, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's dense concentration of hotel groups, restaurant conglomerates, and university dining programs means hiring activity stays consistent across both downtown Chicago and surrounding suburbs.
Which Illinois cities have the most sous chef jobs?
Chicago, Evanston, and Oak Brook are the Illinois cities with the most sous chef openings. Chicago drives the majority of listings because of its scale as a national dining destination with a high density of full-service restaurants, hotel kitchens, and catering operations, while smaller cities like Evanston and Naperville add volume through institutional dining, corporate campuses, and mid-market hospitality venues in the broader metro area.
Are there remote sous chef jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Sous chef work is fundamentally hands-on and requires physical presence in a kitchen, so remote arrangements are uncommon. About 0% of sous chef openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those listings tend to be for culinary consulting, menu development, or recipe testing roles rather than traditional kitchen management positions.
How can I get hired as a sous chef in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a prep cook or commis position at a large Illinois employer such as a Hyatt property, a Lettuce Entertain You concept, or a university dining program like those at Northwestern or the University of Chicago. These employers run structured kitchen hierarchies that give entry-level cooks clear advancement tracks. Earning a food protection manager certification recognized by the Illinois Department of Public Health and building experience in high-volume production or banquet settings will make you a stronger candidate for a sous chef role sooner.
Where can I find and apply to sous chef jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to sous chef jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across Chicago and surrounding metro areas. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your experience and preferred kitchen environment, and apply directly through each listing.
See All 90 Sous Chef Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Sous Chef Jobs