Sous Chef

L’Ardente is the hospitality venture from the award-winning team behind Unconventional Diner and Love, Makoto. The restaurant celebrates the beautiful contrasts of Italy itself—haute yet simple, glam yet rustic, indulgent yet restrained. At its core, L’Ardente is the destination DC deserves right now: a Mediterranean balm in the heart of the capital.

Position Summary
We are currently seeking a motivated, passionate, and experienced Sous Chef to join our Back of House team at L’Ardente. This role is ideal for a strong kitchen leader who thrives in a fast-paced, high-standards environment and is eager to grow within a dynamic culinary group.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Chef de Cuisine to develop and execute menus aligned with the restaurant’s vision and standards

• Contribute creative ideas and new dishes as needed

• Identify, train, and mentor talented cooks to maintain excellence across the kitchen

• Train and supervise kitchen staff to ensure efficiency, quality, and consistency

• Oversee daily kitchen operations during service

• Manage ordering, inventory, and food cost controls

Requirements

• Minimum 1 year of experience as a Sous Chef

• Minimum 1 year of management experience

• Strong passion for food, hospitality, and service

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills

• Proven ability to teach, mentor, and lead a team

• Ability to adapt quickly and make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment