Sous Chef – Staple & Fancy (Ballard, Seattle) | Full Time | Career Growth | Excellent Benefits
Staple & Fancy is a standout in Ballard’s food scene, serving up Italian-inspired dishes with a modern twist, seasonal tasting menus, and exceptional service in a warm, intimate setting. We’re part of Ethan Stowell Restaurants (ESR) — a local restaurant group known for great food, strong teams, and real opportunities for growth.
We’re hiring a Sous Chef who’s hands-on, detail-driven, and ready to take their skills to the next level in a supportive, fast-paced kitchen.
Is this the right career move for you? Do you want to:
Lead kitchen operations with passion, ensuring high-quality dishes and smooth service in a fast-paced environment
Collaborate closely with the Chef to develop creative, seasonal menus using fresh, local ingredients
Mentor and train kitchen staff, fostering a positive team culture focused on growth and excellence
Maintain strict food safety, sanitation, and inventory controls in compliance with health regulations
Drive efficiency by managing prep work, kitchen organization, and timely communication during service
Work towards becoming the head chef in one of our locations.
Partner with the Chef on ordering, administrative duties.
Partner with the GM about front of the house culinary knowledge and training.
Does this feel like a match for your skills?
Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop kitchen staff
Excellent culinary skills and deep knowledge of food preparation, presentation, and flavor profiles and seasonal ingredients- or a willingness to learn!
Solid understanding of kitchen operations, inventory management, and cost control- or a willingness to learn!
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment while maintaining attention to detail
Disciplined AND creative, with an eye for detail and a love of seasonal culinary inspiration
Effective communication skills to collaborate with front-of-house staff and kitchen team
Local relatable experience preferred.
Washington State food handler card (required)
Perks & Benefits
Pay: $30–$33/hr Plus Overtime- This is a 45 hour per week position; there is 5 hours of overtime available to our Sous Chefs each week at 1.5 times the base rate. (potential earnings of $70K-$75K annually)Think of this as your springboard to Chef-dom. Sous Chefs at ESR are members of our management team and are compensated accordingly, with expectations of a standard 45 hour work week. This is a Non-exempt Hourly Management role and does not participate in tip sharing.
Vacation Pay - 80 hours annually
Paid Sick Time - 1 hour for every 30 hours worked (so you don't have to use your vacation time when you're sick!)
Medical, Dental & Life Insurance
401(k) Plan
Free shift meal & generous Dining discounts at all ESR restaurants
Pre-tax commuter and parking benefit
Supplemental insurance options (Disability, Life, Accident)
Employee Assistance Program
Ongoing training and career advancement
Why ESR?
We invest in people. ESR offers a safe, inclusive environment where growth is real and hard work gets recognized. Our kitchens are team-focused, ingredient-driven, and built for long-term careers — not just jobs.
📩 Ready to level up your career? Apply now and let’s start the conversation.