Sous Chef - Catering & Events RSVP Catering | Fairfax, VA Full-Time About RSVP Catering RSVP Catering is a premier full-service catering company serving the Washington, DC metropolitan area. From weddings and corporate events to galas and large-scale celebrations, our culinary team is known for creative menus, exceptional food, and outstanding execution. We are looking for an experienced, hands-on Sous Chef to join our culinary leadership team. The ideal candidate has experience in off-premise catering, banquet production, hotels, or high-volume event kitchens and understands the unique challenges of preparing food that must travel, hold, and be executed beautifully on-site. What You'll Do Assist the Executive Chef in overseeing daily kitchen production and operations. Work with cooks and prep staff, providing direction, training, and support throughout production. Support food production for multiple events happening simultaneously, ensuring everything is completed accurately and on time. Maintain RSVP's standards for food quality, flavor, consistency, portioning, and presentation. Oversee proper packing, labeling, hot holding, cold holding, and organization of food for off-site events. Participate in and help lead off-site event execution, including buffets, plated dinners, chef-attended stations, and large-scale events. Help monitor inventory, product rotation, food utilization, and waste. Maintain a clean, organized, and food-safe kitchen at all times. Help train, mentor, and develop culinary team members while promoting a positive and professional kitchen culture. Troubleshoot production and event challenges quickly and calmly. Catering Experience We're Looking For Because catering is very different from traditional restaurant service, off-site catering or banquet experience is strongly preferred . Experience with the following is especially valuable: Off-premise catering and event execution High-volume banquet and catering production Preparing food that will be transported and finished or served off-site Cres Cor hot holding and transport cabinets Sterno and chafing dish setup and operation Cambros and insulated hot/cold food carriers Proper hot and cold holding procedures Packing and organizing food for event transportation Buffet setup and execution Plated dinner service Chef-attended and interactive food stations Working from BEOs, event orders, production sheets, and event timelines Qualifications 3+ years of professional culinary experience, with previous leadership or supervisory experience. Previous Sous Chef, Junior Sous Chef, Lead Cook, Banquet Chef, or similar experience preferred. Catering, banquet, hotel, country club, convention, or high-volume event experience strongly preferred. Strong culinary fundamentals and commitment to food quality and presentation. Excellent organization and time-management skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities and event deadlines simultaneously. Strong leadership and communication skills. Working knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and proper food handling procedures. Ability to remain calm, organized, and solutions-focused in a fast-paced environment. ServSafe certification preferred. Flexible availability based on event schedules, including some early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Physical Requirements Ability to stand and work for extended periods. Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. Ability to safely work around commercial kitchen equipment, hot holding equipment, and catering equipment. Ability to load, unload, push, pull, bend, and lift as required for kitchen and event operations. What Makes a Great RSVP Sous Chef We're looking for someone who is more than a talented cook. A successful RSVP Sous Chef is an organized leader and problem solver who understands that great catering requires planning, teamwork, attention to detail, and adaptability. You should be comfortable managing a busy production kitchen one day and helping execute a large off-site event the next. You understand that the job isn't finished when the food is cooked—the food must be packed correctly, transported safely, held properly, and served with the same quality and presentation our clients expect. If you enjoy the pace and variety of catering and want to be part of a culinary team producing creative events throughout the Washington, DC area, we'd love to hear from you.

Pay:

$79,807.03 - $84,402.52 per year

Benefits:

401(k) matching Dental insurance Flexible schedule Food provided Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person