What is a Sous Chef? Understanding Their Critical Role in Professional Kitchens

Being a sous chef isn’t easy—but it’s one of the most powerful, rewarding roles in the kitchen. You’re not just second-in-command. You’re a leader. A problem-solver. And an essential part of every successful service.

An Overview: What is a Sous Chef? 

A sous chef, often referred to as the “second-in-command” in a professional kitchen, works directly under the executive chef. The word “sous” is French for “under,” which is fitting given their leadership role just beneath the head of the kitchen. But don’t let the title fool you—this isn’t a supporting role in the background. It’s a leadership position that holds serious weight.

In most kitchens, the executive chef sets the tone, develops menus, and oversees the big-picture culinary vision. The sous chef, on the other hand, is the one turning that vision into reality every single day. They manage the kitchen’s daily operations, supervise kitchen staff members, handle prep and plating, and step in wherever they’re needed. If a station is falling behind, the sous chef is the one jumping in. If a dish isn’t up to par, the sous chef fixes it.

Sous chefs are also crucial to team communication. They bridge the gap between the executive chef and the rest of the kitchen brigade, translating high-level directives into actionable steps. They identify bottlenecks, resolve conflicts, and keep everyone on pace. In many ways, they’re the glue that holds the kitchen together.

Sous Chef Job Description: Understanding Their Responsibilities

So what exactly does a sous chef do? The answer: a little bit of everything. Ultimately, sous chefs are responsible for maintaining consistency, quality, and efficiency in every shift. Their hands are in every dish—and their impact is seen in every plate. Let’s take a closer look at the typical sous chef duties​.

Upholding Food Quality Standards

Along with the expo, the sous chef ensures that every dish leaving the kitchen is up to par. They’re often doing final checks for flavor, presentation, temperature, and consistency.

Mentoring and Managing Kitchen Staff

Though not always part of the formal sous chef job description, they are constantly teaching and guiding others—whether training new line cooks or helping prep cooks fine-tune knife skills.

Overseeing Kitchen Operations

Sous chef duties aren’t all culinary. From inventory management to scheduling and shift coordination, the sous chef also keeps the kitchen running smoothly behind the scenes.

Food Preparation and Cooking

A sous chef isn’t just supervising—they’re on the line, prepping, cooking, plating, and problem-solving as needed.

Crisis Management

Short-staffed? Burned sauce? Broken equipment? The sous chef is often the first to find a solution—and do it fast. This is another one that’s not clearly stated in most sous chef job descriptions, but these responsibilities do often fall to the sous chef. 

Collaboration with the Executive Chef

The sous chef plays a key role in menu development, recipe testing, and planning for specials, offering insights into what works and what doesn’t on the line.

Traits of a Top-Tier Sous Chef: What Makes the Best Stand Out

Some people are just born for the kitchen—but even the most naturally gifted culinary minds have to develop key traits to properly execute sous chef duties. The best of the best tend to have a few things in common. These traits aren’t just “nice to haves.” They are essential. And in real-world kitchens, they make all the difference:

• Strong Time Management: Between coordinating prep work, managing service, and keeping the team on track, timing is everything.
• Exceptional Communication Skills: A great sous chef can give clear instructions, manage expectations, and maintain calm during high-stress moments.
• Adaptability Under Pressure: Things go wrong. A great sous chef adjusts quickly, without losing their cool.
• Mentorship and Team Leadership: The best sous chefs lift others up. Even while managing the many sous chef duties, they find time to coach, teach, and make the kitchen better by helping others grow.
• Passion for the Craft: Sous chefs lead by example, and their passion is contagious. They care deeply about the food, the people, and the process.
• Attention to Detail: In a world where one overcooked scallop or under-seasoned sauce can ruin a dish, detail matters. A lot.
• Stamina and Endurance: Let’s face it: the hours are long, the work is intense, and the pressure is real. That’s pretty clear from reading through our sous chef job description. The best sous chefs can handle the grind while still showing up as leaders.

The Realities of Being a Sous Chef: The Highs and Lows

There’s no sugar-coating it—being a sous chef is tough. You’re juggling responsibilities, answering to leadership, managing a team, and often stepping into the line when needed. But it’s also one of the most rewarding positions in the kitchen.

Our team of professional chefs identified these common highs and lows:

But through all of this, many sous chefs will tell you—it’s worth it. Every challenge faced becomes a learning experience. Every service completed is a small victory. And every plate sent out with pride makes it all worthwhile.

How to Become a Sous Chef: Qualifications, Experience, & More

There’s no one-size-fits-all path to becoming a sous chef, but most professionals build their way up through a mix of education, experience, and the right attitude.

To get hired as a sous chef, focus on building your skills, learning from those around you, and showing initiative. Show that you’re ready to lead, ready to teach, and prepared to take responsibility for the kitchen’s success. Here’s what it typically takes:

Culinary School (Optional but Helpful)

While many successful sous chefs are self-taught, formal culinary education can speed up your growth and help you learn techniques, food safety, and kitchen operations.

On-the-Job Experience

Most sous chefs have years of experience as line cooks or station chefs. Hands-on experience is essential to understand the flow of service and the dynamics of a professional kitchen.

Leadership Training

A critical part of the answer to, “What is a sous chef?” is the leadership aspect of the role. Whether through mentorship or formal training, developing people skills and management experience is crucial to stand apart from other candidates.

Proven Track Record

Employers are looking for sous chefs who have demonstrated consistency, reliability, and culinary excellence in past roles. In other words, they want to know you can confidently meet the expectations outlined in their sous chef job description because you’ve successfully completed similar tasks before.

Food Safety Certification

Many kitchens require ServSafe® or other certifications as part of their hiring requirements, but this is not unique to just sous chefs.

REFINE YOUR CULINARY SKILLS WITH PARIS GOURMET

We know sous chef duties can be demanding—and we’re here to support you every step of the way. At Paris Gourmet, we’re proud to offer chefs like you access to the finest ingredients, exclusive recipes, and insider culinary insights. Whether you’re refining a signature dish or training a new team member, we provide guidance to help you lead with confidence and creativity.

Most importantly, we want you to stay connected to the why behind your work: the love of great food, the passion for the craft, and the satisfaction of leading your team to excellence. When you need a boost—whether it’s a new ingredient to experiment with or a consultation from our chef team—we’re ready to help. Reach out to us to connect with our culinary experts.