Junior Sous Chef

Junior Sous Chef


Company
Formento's
Location
Chicago, IL
Job Type
Full-time
Salary
50K–65K a year
Posted
3 days ago
Via
via Culinary Agents

Job Description
Formento’s is looking for a high-energy, hands-on Junior Sous Chef ready to take the next step in their career.

We are a fast-paced Italian steakhouse with a busy dining room, private events program, and adjacent sandwich shop (Nonna’s). This is a chef-driven kitchen with high standards, strong systems, and a leadership team focused on building a serious Back of House culture.

This is not a clipboard management position.

We’re looking for someone who:
• loves being on the line,
• moves fast,
• works clean,
• communicates well with cooks,
• and wants to grow into a stronger chef and leader.
What This Role Looks Like

This is a highly active, hands-on kitchen role.

You will:
• jump onto stations during service,
• support cooks during busy pushes,
• help maintain organization and standards,
• and fill operational gaps wherever needed.

Some days you may be:
• working grill,
• helping with prep,
• running private dining,
• supporting Nonna’s production,
• or assisting expo during service.

We need someone adaptable, physically quick, mentally sharp, and willing to do whatever the kitchen needs to succeed.

Who You Are
• A strong line cook or newer sous chef ready for more responsibility
• Comfortable in a high-volume environment
• Hungry to learn and improve
• Calm under pressure
• Not afraid of hard work
• Respectful, coachable, and team-oriented
• Someone who earns respect through consistency and effort—not ego

This role works closely with a predominantly Spanish-speaking kitchen team. Bilingual candidates or chefs comfortable working in multicultural kitchens are strongly preferred.

What We’re Looking For
• 2+ years of strong line cook or kitchen leadership experience
• Ability to confidently work stations during service
• Strong sense of urgency and organization
• Good communication and leadership instincts
• Open availability including nights, weekends, and holidays
• Desire to grow into larger leadership responsibilities over time

What You’ll Gain

This is a real growth opportunity inside a chef-driven operation.

You’ll work directly with:
• the Executive Chef,
• CDC,
• and leadership team

while learning:
• kitchen systems,
• prep structure,
• leadership,
• service management,
• organization,
• and operational execution at a high level.

We are looking for someone we can invest in long term.
Qualified candidates will be invited to stage during dinner service.
If you want to become a stronger chef and grow inside a serious kitchen, we’d love to meet you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers about Restaurant Jobs

Q What is the federal minimum wage for restaurant servers in the United States in 2026?
As per the U.S. Department of Labor, the federal minimum wage for restaurant workers is $7.25 per hour as of January 1 2026. Tipped employees receive a cash wage of $2.13 per hour with tips required to reach the full $7.25 minimum. Overtime pay at 1.5 times the rate applies after 40 hours in a workweek.
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As per the U.S. Department of Labor, non-exempt restaurant employees must receive overtime after 40 hours worked in a workweek during 2026. Employers must pay 1.5 times the regular rate for all hours over 40. Breaks of 30 minutes or more are not counted as working time if the employee is completely relieved of duties.
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As per U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, all new hires must complete Form I-9 by the end of their first day of work in 2026. Acceptable documents include a U.S. passport or green card combined with a driver's license. Employers must reverify work authorization before expiration of documents such as Employment Authorization Documents.
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As per the Internal Revenue Service, employers must withhold income tax, Social Security at 6.2 percent, and Medicare at 1.45 percent on all tips reported in 2026. Employees must report tips of $20 or more in a month to their employer by the 10th of the following month. Unreported tips are still subject to self-employment tax on Schedule SE.
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