Jobs › Midtown Athletic Clubs

Sous Chef

Midtown Athletic Clubs · Chicago, IL · $27.00–$35.00 an hour · Full time

Posted Oct 1, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you supervised other cooks during a busy service.

What they are checking: Whether they can lead the back of house, since this sous chef role is a supervisor position.

How do you work with the Kitchen Manager when you disagree about a decision?

What they are checking: Whether they can raise concerns respectfully and then support the decision in front of the team.

What would you do

This role needs both morning and evening shifts plus weekends and holidays. Does that work for you?

What they are checking: Whether they can meet the posted availability, which the employer lists as a must.

A line cook keeps cutting corners on sanitation. How do you address it?

What they are checking: Whether they correct behavior directly and fairly instead of ignoring it or blowing up.

You're short a cook and the cafe is busy. What do you change to keep service moving?

What they are checking: How they reorganize stations and priorities on the fly while keeping standards.

About the work

How do you make sure every plate matches the recipe and presentation standard, even when you're slammed?

What they are checking: Their methods for consistency under pressure, which keeps a member restaurant's quality steady.

Walk me through how you handle a member's food allergy order from ticket to plate.

What they are checking: Whether they have a strict process to prevent cross-contact, which protects member health.

What temperatures and practices do you watch most closely for food safety?

What they are checking: Their working knowledge of safe holding, cooling and storage that keeps the kitchen sanitary and inspection-ready.

The menu here leans toward clean, convenient food. How would you keep healthy dishes flavorful?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the club's food style and can cook to it with skill.

How do you keep waste down when prepping for a day with unpredictable traffic?

What they are checking: Their judgment on prep levels and inventory, which affects cost and freshness.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Midtown Athletic Clubs.

Job Details Midtown is looking for a talented Sous Chef (Back of House Supervisor) to enhance our stellar restaurant experience. We are looking for an associate who is available in the mornings (8am-4pm) and evenings (2-11pm) and MUST be available weekends and holidays. What You’ll Do Our Sous Chefs are the artists and heart of our restaurants. They are motivated and passionate about helping others eat delicious and clean, convenient food. As an integral part of our F&B team, you’ll be preparing and artfully plating delicious meal options, and doing so, while maintaining a safe & sanitary workspace. Why You’ll Love It • You’ll be joining a team that takes “collaboration” to another level. We work together to support all aspects of the food & beverage experience and we don’t hesitate to step outside our comfort zones to help one another be successful. This is a unique learning opportunity for you to become familiar with multiple areas of the business, including fitness, racquet sports, and spa. • https://careers.midtown.com/about-us/benefits/ What Your Days Will Look Like / Sous Chef's Responsibilities: • Reporting directly to the Kitchen Manager • Quickly and efficiently preparing food orders with pride • Follow established recipes and presentation standards • Maintain clean and sanitary kitchen areas to promote a safe and enjoyable member experience • Assisting with periodic catering events throughout the club and event spaces • Assist with daily food prep work • Assisting in ordering all products based on par systems and inventory management. Overseeing all ordering and inventory to ensure low food costs • Assisting in the management of BOH staff including recruiting, hiring, scheduling, reviewing and terminating • Managing staff schedules and ensure cuts are being made whenever possible • Overseeing quality control of all food production and execution • Creating new menu items upon guest requests and seasonally. Recording the recipes of these menu items for consistent replication • Continually working through R&D process with the Kitchen Manager to further dishes on the menu • Addressing all kitchen-related problems and incidences in a timely and effective manner • Daily maintenance of BOH systems - Continually follow and tweak all BOH systems from AM walkthrough, temp logs, line checks, prep lists, order guides, etc. Qualifications: • 2-3 years of experience in a Sous Chef role • Patient and empathetic toward others • Practices high standards of cleanliness • Strong leadership skills • Highly organized • Efficient at multi-tasking • Experience in mass-volume production Physical Requirements: • Lift and move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds • Safely and effectively use all necessary tools, equipment, & cleaning chemicals • Stand and walk for an entire shift, including moving safely through all areas of the restaurant, which may include stairs, uneven and slick surfaces • Ability to bear exposure to hot and cold environments You’d Be a Great Fit If You… • Are passionate about preparing and cooking delicious meals for others • Have excellent professional references • Have a passion for helping others • Display Kindness • Bring optimism to work each day • Are relentless about showing pride in your work, every day • A willingness to listen to constructive feedback and apply it moving forward • Understand the importance of complying with Department of Health-sanitary guidelines • Have the ability to work gracefully and quickly under pressure Bonus Points if You Have: • At least two years of food preparation and cooking experience • Teamwork and collaboration as part of your DNA • Current ServSafe certification (food handler & allergen) • An insatiable desire to deliver exceptionally consistent and meticulously prepared food & beverages as their language of hospitality. The Other Stuff Our chef team is on time and ready to deliver our best work. We anticipate problems and do our best to take preventative measures for our members. At times, we host member events that include the food & beverage department. We would hate to miss out on your application because you do not meet every requirement – transferrable skills and education will also be considered, so please do not hesitate to apply! Benefits and Compensation Compensation: $27–$35 per hour, depending on experience. https://careers.midtown.com/about-us/benefits/ This job description is intended to describe the general requirements for the position. It is not a complete statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. Other duties not listed here may be assigned as necessary to ensure the proper operations of the department. MIDTOWN is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This job description is intended to describe the general requirements for the position. It is not a complete statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. Other duties not listed here may be assigned as necessary to ensure the proper operations of the department. MIDTOWN is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Apply at Midtown Athletic Clubs