Position Description:
Nestled along the Potomac River in Alexandria’s Robinson Landing, Ada’s on the River is an award-winning dining destination where exceptional food meets stunning views. Located in charming Old Town Alexandria, a favorite neighborhood for tourists and just a short trip from D.C., Ada’s draws inspiration from the pioneering spirit of Ada Lovelace, a 19th-century mathematician and innovator. Our restaurant offers a modern American menu infused with creativity and bold, wood-fired flavors.
We’re looking for a driven, hands-on Executive Sous Chef who thrives in a fast-paced, full-service, high-volume restaurant. This is a leadership role for a culinary professional who can execute at a high level while developing people, protecting quality, and keeping the kitchen running with precision.
Position Responsibilities:
Key Accountabilities include, but are not limited to:
- Lead the shift: Set the pace, standards, and culture for the culinary team.
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Own execution: Deliver consistent, high-quality food across every shift and service.
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Develop talent: Train, coach, and hold cooks accountable while building a strong internal pipeline.
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Drive kitchen performance: Maintain exceptional standards for prep, line execution, sanitation, organization, and ticket times.
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Own kitchen cost controls: Manage food costs, waste, inventory, ordering, and portion control with a sharp eye for detail.
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Partner with leadership: Collaborate with the Executive Chef and General Manager to drive sales, profitability, and operational excellence.
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Stay guest-focused: Understand that every plate is an opportunity to create a memorable experience.
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Own the details: Lead by example with urgency, organization, consistency, and professionalism.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Qualifications -
Includes, but is not limited to:
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3+ years of progressive culinary leadership experience in a full-service, high-volume restaurant.
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Strong working knowledge of scratch cooking, recipe execution, prep, and line operations.
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Proven ability to lead, coach, train, and hold a culinary team accountable.
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Strong understanding of food safety, sanitation, inventory, ordering, and cost controls.
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Ability to remain calm, focused, and decisive in a high-pressure service environment.
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Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
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A hands-on leadership style with a high sense of urgency and pride in execution.
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Passion for food, hospitality, and developing people.
Additional Information:
People are the core of our business. That’s why our benefits include:
- Eligible for a monthly profit-sharing bonus
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Health Insurance
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Vision, dental, and life insurance
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401K
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Paid Time Off (Vacation and Sick)
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Parking Pass
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Complimentary dining privileges at any of our ARP locations
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Career pathing and growth opportunities
