Sous Chef
The Sous Chef is the culinary right hand to our resident Ranch Chef. Together, the Sous Chef and Ranch Chef drive day-to-day operations in the Lodge kitchen; they are responsible for producing the food we serve across all of our hospitality offerings. This is a hands-on role for an experienced lead cook or sous chef who is ready to take ownership & demonstrate creativity in an intimate, boutique-style kitchen. The ideal candidate will have opportunities for continued growth: learning the tropical ingredients of Hawaiʻi, the seasonal rhythms of a working ranch, and innovating within the venue’s foodservice program.
The majority of the Sous Chef’s time is spent in the kitchen, preparing and serving food for retreat groups, individual room bookings, private events, and the ranch store. The Sous Chef works independently, but as directed and under the supervision of the Ranch Chef. A meaningful part of the role is being a liaison to our garden team — spending time in the garden, understanding what is being grown, and bringing the freshest ranch-grown produce from the soil into the kitchen.
Duties & Responsibilities:
CULINARY (PRIMARY FOCUS)
Work under the direction of the Ranch Chef to prepare, cook, and plate food for retreat groups, overnight guests, private events, and the ranch store. Responsible for driving operations when the Ranch Chef is not present
Support menu planning and recipe development, drawing on fresh, seasonal, and ranch-grown ingredients
Work alongside Front of House staff; collect & clean servicewares and bus tables if the number of patrons does not warrant Front of the House support
Assist with ordering, receiving, and inventory of kitchen supplies; help minimize waste
Practice food preservation techniques such as pickling, fermenting, and dehydrating to make the most of ranch harvests
Uphold kitchen cleanliness, organization, food safety and sanitation standards at all times
Introduce meals & products to patrons; converse and be a positive brand ambassador for the ranch
Help train and guide seasonal staff & interns, and support a positive, collaborative kitchen culture
GARDEN LIAISON (SUPPORTING ROLE)
Spend scheduled time in the organic gardens, supporting with harvesting and light garden tasks
Coordinate harvests with the garden lead, ensuring the freshest produce reaches the kitchen when it’s needed
Build a working knowledge of the ranch’s crops, growing practices, and tropical produce varieties
Required Qualifications:
At least 2–3 years of professional experience as a sous chef (or in a comparable senior line-cook role)
Strong foundational cooking skills, knife skills, and command of core kitchen techniques
A genuine willingness to learn about tropical Hawaiʻi ingredients and to cook under the direction of our RanchChef
Ability to work efficiently and calmly under the pressure of service, and to help lead a team
Comfortable spending time outdoors in the garden and possess a real interest in ingredient-driven, farm-to-table cooking
Reliable, self-motivated, and able to work both independently and as part of a close-knit team
Comfortable with the demands of a professional kitchen and with rural, remote island living
A positive attitude and a collaborative, team-player mindset
1 or more seasons living & working in a remote location among coworkers.
Other Desired Qualifications:
Culinary training or a degree from a culinary program
Experience cooking with Hawaiian, Pacific, or tropical ingredients
Familiarity with farm-to-table, seasonal, or ingredient-driven kitchens
Food safety certification (e.g., ServSafe) or willingness to obtain one
Interest in gardening, organic agriculture, and land stewardship
Appreciation for Hawaiian culture and rural community life
If you are interested in joining our dedicated team, please apply with a letter of interest and experience, resume and references to: application@puuohoku.com
