Sous Chef/Kitchen Manager

Sous Chef / Kitchen Manager
The Oaks Golf Course – Cottage Grove, WI

The Oaks Golf Course is seeking a passionate, detail-oriented Sous Chef / Kitchen Manager to join our culinary team. Our restaurant operates year-round, with a full-time role that supports both high-volume banquet service through the golf season, and line cooking with smaller events in the winter months. We are looking for someone who is fun, energetic, eager to learn, and committed to excellence in food quality and team success.

This position works closely with our Head Chef to execute a high standard of cuisine while providing day-to-day leadership, operational support, and hands-on execution in the kitchen.

Responsibilities

• Support menu development, recipe refinement, food presentation, and consistent implementation of culinary standards.
• Lead and train kitchen staff, fostering a positive, collaborative, and high-performing team environment.
• Control food costs, manage inventory, and maintain efficient kitchen operations while delivering high-quality food.
• Oversee daily kitchen production, including banquet cooking during peak season and line cooking with smaller parties in the off-season.
• Maintain exceptional standards for food quality, plating, sanitation, and organization.
• Manage time effectively across prep, service, events, and administrative duties.
• Collaborate on continuous improvement of recipes, processes, and guest experience.
• Work a flexible schedule that includes days, nights, weekends, and holidays as needed for a seasonal hospitality operation that remains open 12 months a year.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of controlling costs while consistently producing high-quality food.
• Experience with menu creation or refinement, food presentation, staff training, and successful implementation.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop a kitchen team.
• Excellent time management and organizational abilities.
• High personal standards and genuine motivation for culinary excellence and attention to detail.
• Dedication to career growth and a willingness to learn and contribute in a collaborative kitchen.
• Positive, passionate, and fun attitude that contributes to a supportive team culture.

Ideal Candidate

While not required, we are especially interested in candidates who naturally excel at supporting others, asking thoughtful questions, exploring possibilities, and helping ideas move from concept to consistent execution. The right person will complement a Head Chef focused on creative development and driving projects to completion by providing strong enablement, operational follow-through, and a collaborative approach that elevates the whole team.

Schedule: Full-time, year-round. Flexible availability required for days, nights, weekends, and holidays. Peak banquet volume runs May–October; November–April emphasizes line cooking and smaller events.

The Oaks Golf Course offers a dynamic hospitality environment where quality food, guest experience, and a strong team culture matter. If you are passionate about great food, leading by example, and growing in your career, we would like to hear from you.

Pay: $50,200.00 - $56,000.00 per year

Benefits:

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

Work Location: In person