Lead Sous Chef

Join Our Culinary Team as a Lead Sous Chef! American Cruise Lines, the premier cruise line operating exclusively within the United States, is on the lookout for skilled Lead Sous Chefs to enhance our culinary team for the exciting 2026 season. Our state-of-the-art riverboats and iconic paddlewheelers, accommodating no more than 200 guests, provide a unique and intimate small-ship experience along America's rivers. With new vessels continuously being added to our expanding fleet, this is a fantastic opportunity to be part of creating exceptional culinary experiences across the nation. Here at American Cruise Lines, we pride ourselves on serving exceptional cuisine crafted by chefs with prestigious culinary training. Our menus utilize the freshest ingredients, drawing inspiration from regional and local specialties. As a Lead Sous Chef, you will play a vital role in our culinary team, aiming to create a variety of delightful dishes that showcase flavor and creativity. Your involvement spans all food production aspects, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner for our guests, as well as ensuring our crew is well-fed and happy through the meals you prepare. Providing meals without the option to dine ashore makes it essential to accommodate all crew food allergies and dietary restrictions. You will be responsible for preparing meals that are well-balanced, nutritious, and offer a diverse selection to satisfy different appetites. Collaborating closely with your culinary teammates each day, you will ensure smooth kitchen operations and flawless service for both guests and crew. We are driven by our core values: Optimism, Commitment, Patriotism, and Merit. These principles guide our culture, service, and team, leading us in our mission to Share America's Story on the Finest American Ships. Key Responsibilities: Collaborate with the Executive Chef to develop diverse menus featuring fresh ingredients. Prepare a daily variety of healthy and delicious buffet-style crew meals, ensuring high crew satisfaction. Regularly assess crew satisfaction regarding the meals provided. Organize kitchen workflows for optimal efficiency. Produce high-quality guest dishes that align with established menu selections. Adhere to guest and crew dietary requests and restrictions. Maintain order and discipline in the kitchen during working hours. Prioritize hygiene and food safety standards at every stage of food preparation. Ensure meals are prepared quickly while upholding delicious quality. Enforce all food safety protocols. Qualifications: A minimum of 5 years culinary experience in full-service resorts, hotels, or cruise ships. ServSafe Manager Certification strongly preferred. Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) required. Thorough knowledge of food safety standards. Must demonstrate strong multitasking, direction-taking, and teamwork abilities. Ability to remain composed under pressure. Problem-solving, self-motivation, and organizational skills are essential. Proficient in speaking, reading, and understanding basic cooking recipes. An effective leader with excellent time management skills. Strong oral communication and interpersonal abilities. Must pass a US Coast Guard regulated pre-employment drug test. Experience in training and teaching preferred. Ability to perform essential job functions with or without accommodation. Work Schedule: 7 days a week while onboard the ship. 6 to 8 weeks onboard followed by 1 to 2 weeks off. This is a full-time, exempt position. Essential Functions: Ability to work in an environment subject to continual motion due to ship movements. Ability to read and understand cooking recipes easily. Capacity to multitask, receive direction, and collaborate effectively with others. Ability to handle high-pressure work scenarios. Capability to work approximately 12 hours per day. Ability to assist during onboard emergencies by quickly navigating through tight spaces. Must be able to stand for entire shifts. Frequent lifting of up to 20 lbs., with occasional lifting of up to 50 lbs. Frequent bending, squatting, and reaching required. Willingness to live and work onboard a vessel for extended periods. Frequent use of stairs expected. Compensation and Benefits: Competitive daily rate. Health, dental, vision, and 401(k) with company match. Covered Expenses: Travel, room and board, uniforms, and training provided by American Cruise Lines. Equal Opportunity Employer: American Cruise Lines is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants. We base all employment decisions on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to any protected characteristics. This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities, and such duties may change without notice.

Created: 2026-03-04