Sous Chef in Rochester, New York at Lot 54 Casual Kitchen

Here is a complete, sharp job description tailored specifically for a Sous Chef at Lot 54, with a clear emphasis on dual experience across both morning and evening service dynamics!

Company: Lot 54

Position: Sous Chef (Full-Time)

Location: Rochester, NY

At Lot 54, we are passionate about delivering exceptional food, high-energy service, and a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. We take pride in quality ingredients, scratch cooking, efficient ticket times, and building a strong, collaborative kitchen culture from early morning prep to late-night close.

At Lot 54, we work hard, but we don't take ourselves too seriously. We're looking for teammates who bring good vibes, keep the team dynamic fun, and aren't camera-shy! We love featuring our crew in behind-the-scenes social media content, hype videos, and kitchen highlights. If you love good food, good energy, and leading a team that has a blast together, this is the line for you.

We are seeking a skilled, passionate, and energetic Sous Chef to serve as a core leader in our kitchen. As the Sous Chef at Lot 54, you will work hand-in-hand with kitchen leadership to manage daily heart-of-house operations, supervise line cooks, ensure food quality, maintain strict safety standards, and jump on the line whenever needed.

Key Requirement:
Proven experience in both Breakfast/Brunch and Dinner service is required. From executing fast-paced morning egg stations, delicate breakfast proteins, and daytime prep to running high-volume dinner lines, ticket expo, and evening closing procedures, you must be comfortable leading across all dayparts.

• Kitchen Leadership & Supervision: Manage, mentor, and motivate line cooks, prep cooks, and utility staff across both morning and evening shifts to foster a productive, high-energy, and fun kitchen environment.
• Dual-Daypart Execution: Seamlessly oversee both Breakfast/Lunch service (high-volume morning rushes, egg/brunch execution) and Dinner service (steak, seafood, night-line execution, and expo).
• Quality & Consistency: Ensure all prep, cooking, and plating meet Lot 54’s specs, recipes, presentation standards, and flavor profiles every single shift.
• Inventory & Food Prep Control: Assist with ordering, receiving, inventory counts, food cost management, prep lists, and minimizing kitchen waste.
• Food Safety & Sanitation: Enforce strict health code compliance, kitchen cleanliness, temperature logs, sanitation standards, and proper labeling (FIFO).
• Vibe & Culture: Lead by example with a positive work ethic, help keep kitchen morale high, and participate in fun, behind-the-scenes social media content and kitchen crew spotlights.

• Experience: 2+ years of culinary leadership (Sous Chef, Kitchen Supervisor, or Lead Line Cook) in a high-volume restaurant.
• Required Expertise: Demonstrated hands-on experience on both Breakfast/Brunch lines and Dinner lines.
• Technical Mastery: Superior knife skills, deep knowledge of kitchen stations, equipment maintenance, and ticket expo leadership.
• Schedule Flexibility: Full availability including early mornings, late nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Personality: Strong communicator, fair leader, camera-friendly, with a positive attitude that keeps the kitchen moving forward with high energy.
• Physical Stamina: Ability to stand for long shifts in a high-heat environment and lift up to 50+ lbs safely.

• Competitive salary / hourly wage (commensurate with experience)
• A fun, supportive, and dynamic kitchen culture
• Career growth and leadership development opportunities
• A platform to showcase your culinary creations and kitchen personality on our social media channels