Sous Chef

Title: Sous Chef

State Role Title: Food Service Technician III

Hiring Range: $45,000 annually

Pay Band:

Agency: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Location: MAIN MUSEUM

Agency Website: vmfa.museum

Recruitment Type: Agency Employee Only - A

Job Duties

At the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA), we create unique experiences.

Amuse Restaurant is a contemporary fine dining restaurant overlooking the Robins Sculpture Garden, featuring an innovative menu and fresh, local ingredients. Just like the works of art in the museum and on the walls of Amuse, visitors delight in new masterpiece dishes and cocktails.

When dining at Amuse, every aspect of the meal is a touchpoint, a foundational pinning, evoking the right ambiance, feeling and desired energy. Our dedicated service professionals bear witness and make possible some of the best days ever for our guests.

"people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou

We welcome applications from experienced and skilled service professionals who are team-centric and highly motivated to join the museum as a Sous Chef.

This salaried, non-exempt position offers Commonwealth of Virginia employee benefits such as 12 paid holidays, a comprehensive benefits package to include health benefits, and more.

Why Join the Amuse Team?

Inclusive Workplace

We are proud of our diverse workforce and vibrant art-filled surroundings. We value your strengths and experiences. Come be yourself!

Flexible Scheduling

The team works to provide reasonable and advanced-scheduling notice to staff within the agreed upon availability. We are open 365 days a year, therefore there are variety of shifts to work. We are open for lunch service 7 days a week, and offer dinner service on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Team-centric

Work with people whose talents shine not only at work but also beyond work hours. Many of our staff are creatives who find an ease in serving others, have an eye for the details, and enjoy the flexibility this position offers.

Mission-Driven

Revenue from Amuse and other Enterprise operations directly supports museum operations. VMFA is the only art museum in the United States open 365 days a year with free general admission. Our purpose is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret art and to encourage the study of the arts.

Professional Environment

Professionalism is a key tenet in our workplace. We treat each other no less than how we treat our guests. Come create career-supportive relationships with some of the best service professionals in the industry. Learn and grow with us.

Perks

All VMFA staff enjoy free admission to special exhibitions, previews of special exhibitions, employee pricing for select museum programs and classes, and discounts at Amuse, Best Cafe and the VMFA Shop.

About the Work

The work is straightforward, working together to offer an elevated dining experience.

How can you succeed in this role?

Lead Kitchen Operations: Work alongside the Executive Chef and Sous Chef team to lead daily kitchen production, from menu planning and food prep to creating our signature daily specials.

Maintain Our High Standards: Use your knowledge of our current recipes and procedures to ensure consistency and excellence. Your expertise will be key in helping us maintain our food costs and our spotless, compliant kitchen.

Mentor and Manage the Team: Step up to a leadership role where you'll supervise, train, and mentor your fellow kitchen staff. Your clear communication and constructive feedback will be essential for team development.

Deliver Outstanding Service: Continue our commitment to exceptional guest experiences. Your role will be vital in ensuring our food and presentation consistently receive high ratings and that our front-of-house team has the support they need.

Lead Special Projects: Use your creativity to help with special menu planning and execution for museum events. You may even get the chance to lead cooking demonstrations.

Who We're Looking For:

A seasoned team member with a deep understanding of our kitchen operations.

A natural leader who is ready to take on a management role.

Proactive, responsible, and ready to step up in the absence of the Executive Chef.

A professional who is proud of the work we do and committed to our shared success.

Minimum Qualifications

Recent kitchen experience as a line cook or sous chef

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions and comprehend complex recipes. Knowledge of basic knife skills, chopping, and sauteing, grilling and food prep.

Understanding of various cooking methods, ingredients, equipment and procedures.

Team player as well as the ability to work alongside coworkers safely and in an efficient manner; ability to work in a face paced, high volume kitchen area.

Prepare food to the Executive Chef's specifications as well as assisting kitchen staff with daily tasks.

Setting up and stocking stations with necessary supplies.

Cooking menu items in cooperation with the rest of the kitchen staff as well as making menu items are served in a timely manner.

Maintaining a clean and sanitary work environment; maintain up to date ServSafe certification

Strong communication skills and ability to comprehend directions and instructions; ability to communicate efficiently, professionally and graciously with guests and co-workers

Ability to independently solve routine problems.

Flexible availability that includes weekends, evenings and holidays.

Additional Considerations

• Previous management and/or supervisory experience in a fine dining kitchen setting
• ServSafe certification

Agency employees enjoy benefits such as free admission to special exhibitions, previews of special exhibitions, employee pricing for select museum programs and classes, as well as discounts in Amuse Restaurant, Best Cafe and VMFA shop.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or resume is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or resume is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Selected candidates must pass a criminal history background check.

Interested individuals must submit an online application. Posting will close at 11:55 pm on on designated closing date.

Please contact the HR office at ... if you need assistance.

VMFA is an EEO/AA and Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Certified Employer. Diverse and inclusive hiring practices are at the heart of what we do at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources Services

Phone: please email

Email: ...

In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at ....

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.