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Sous Chef, Cornell Dining

Cornell University
65,447.00 - $75,632.00
United States, New York, Ithaca
May 04, 2026
Student & Campus Life (SCL) inspires transformation in all Cornell students on their journey of individual, academic, and personal evolution. Our division is comprised of leading student affairs experts who support our campus on pressing student life matters, including public service, health, wellbeing, connection and belonging, residential living, food services, sports, recreation, career services, and student activities and organizations, including sorority and fraternity life. We provide support and services to roughly 25,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students on multiple campuses in the U.S. and abroad.

As part of SCL, Cornell Dining is comprised of more than 30 on-campus eateries, including multiple all-access dining rooms, cafes, coffee shops, food courts, retail convenience stores, concessions stands, a restaurant, and catering services. From crafting holiday-themed meals to chef surprises and dining room special events, the Cornell Dining team of more than 400 skilled culinarians and front-line associates, and 600 student employees work hard every day to offer a variety of fresh and healthy food from all over the world. Cornell Dining's mission is a commitment to Nourishing the Future: both for our guests and for our team. This is accomplished with a team-oriented and customer service mindset, and an emphasis on training, education, professional development, and career path opportunities for our entire organization.

The Sous Chef, working in collaboration with the area Chef, supports all aspects of food planning, production, and preparation for the assigned dining unit(s). This role models strong culinary practices by ensuring menu standards, recipe adherence, and quality controls are consistently met, while maintaining full compliance with all safety and sanitation regulations. The Sous Chef is expected to make fiscally responsible decisions in daily operations, including thoughtful use of ingredients, effective waste reduction, and efficient production planning. In partnership with the Chef and Dining Managers, the Sous Chef provides onthejob coaching and feedback that strengthens teamwork and supports staff development. The Sous Chef also upholds proper food handling and quality standards in alignment with University, state, and federal requirements, helping create a safe, welcoming environment for staff, students, and guests.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

A successful Sous Chef will:

  • Be a highly selfmotivated team player who stays flexible and customerservice oriented, responding effectively to competing demands in a dynamic, highvolume, and timesensitive environment.

  • Demonstrate culinary excellence and contribute creative, practical ideas that help resolve unexpected issues, enhance unit performance, and ensure highquality, greattasting, and costeffective meal options for the Cornell community.

  • Work collaboratively and communicate clearly with a diverse population of students, staff, and community partners.

  • Demonstrate strong professional judgment, using excellent organizational and timemanagement skills to set priorities and manage workload effectively.

  • Actively motivate, encourage, and support staff performance through regular handson training, daily feedback, and consistent coaching.

Required Qualifications:

  • At least two years of training in a culinary program or an Associate's degree and two or three years of culinary work experience in the hospitality or food service environment, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

  • Technical/computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office Suite productivity tools.

  • Effective verbal and written communication skills

  • Working knowledge of appropriate food and health codes

  • Demonstrated skill in understanding cultural differences.

Must be able to successfully complete Cornell Dining's Sous Chef-level practical exam and a cooking demonstration which includes a series of culinary and managerial skills assessments designed to evaluate potential effectiveness in the role.

The position requires a varied work schedule, including availability on nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Additional professional or educational experience, preferably in a high-quality collegiate dining program with familiarity in board plan operations, retail operations, and menu cycles, is preferred but not required.

  • Strong understanding of food service management systems.

  • Culinary and food safety certification

  • Experience and comfort with Catering operations.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This position is located in Ithaca, New York. The successful applicant will be expected to work on campus.

University Job Title:

Chef I

Job Family:

Auxiliary Services

Level:

E

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$65,447.00 - $75,632.00

Remote Option Availability:

Onsite

Company:

Endowed

Contact Name:

Jana English

Contact Email:

jb853@cornell.edu

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

  • Prior relevant work or industry experience

  • Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

  • Unique applicable skills

  • Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell's non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell's union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

Current Employees:

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Online Submission Guidelines:

Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter. You can upload documents either by "dragging and dropping" them into the dropbox or by using the "upload" icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website.

Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email mycareer@cornell.edu.

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at accommodations@cornell.edu.

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing mycareer@cornell.edu.

Notice to Applicants:

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

EEO Statement:

Cornellwelcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of "... any person ... any study." No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual's genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeksjob candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. Wehire based on merit, andencourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

2026-05-04
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