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Commercial Airline Catering - Sous Chef
Career Opportunities · Houston, TX
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Description
About US
Abby’s Catering is the longest-standing in-flight and corporate catering company in Houston, proudly serving the Houston & Dallas Metro markets. We specialize in chef-crafted cuisine using locally sourced and sustainable ingredients. Our reputation is built on exceptional service, impeccable food safety, and a memorable customer experience with every flight. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards in quality, safety, accountability, and teamwork — and we are looking for leaders who share these values.
Position Summary
The Sous Chef leads daily hot & cold culinary production to ensure all Abby’s Catering menu items meet quality, safety, and airline presentation standards. This position collaborates with the Executive Chef to maintain HACCP compliance and short-order operations within a 24/7 environment. Supports: Culinary Production Team Direct Reports: Line Cooks, Prep Cooks, Production Assistants SAFETY & COMPLIANCE
- Maintain daily compliance with all Food Safety, HACCP, and traceability standards
- Ensure accurate logs, conduct audits, and document/resolve deviations promptly
- Enforce sanitation and personal hygiene policies across production teams
- Maintain a hazard-free workspace and uphold safety protocols at all times
- Ensure aviation regulatory and airline-specific standards are met consistently EQUIPMENT &
Maintenance Support
- Oversee correct handling, cleaning, and sanitation of all kitchen equipment and tools
- Ensure equipment and workspaces are cleaned, sanitized, and properly stored
- Report equipment issues promptly and ensure corrective actions are completed
- Support workflow improvements and kitchen efficiency initiatives DUTIES
- Lead, train, and supervise culinary crews for high-performance execution
- Conduct daily production meetings and coordinate prep priorities by flight schedules
- Verify compliance with recipes, portion standards, and plating instructions
- Deliver finished products on time to meet Kitchen Departure Times for all flights
- Control cost through portion control, waste reduction, FIFO rotation, and labor oversight
- Provide food safety and plating technique training to front-line staff
- Maintain a clean, organized production environment across all shifts
- Promote teamwork, communication, and a positive work culture
- Support menu launches, production tests, and special airline programs
- Perform additional responsibilities assigned by the Executive Chef
Our Mission
&
Core Values
Abby’s Catering aims to remain the leading in-flight and corporate catering company in the Houston & Dallas Metro markets by sourcing locally, prioritizing food safety, and operating responsibly and efficiently. We live by CATCH — Our Core Values:
- Customer Service — Deliver excellence with every flight
- Accountability — Own results and commitments
- Teamwork — Collaborate to win
- Competitiveness — Strive for the highest standards
- Honesty — Act with integrity and respect Requirements
Job Requirements
- 3+ years culinary leadership experience in high-volume environments
- Ability to thrive in cold-room production as low as 36°F for extended periods
- Rotating shifts, weekends, and holiday availability required
- Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills
- Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred
- Ability to read/interpret airline plating instructions and batch recipes
- Computer skills including Microsoft Office and basic production systems
- Reliable, proactive, and able to work independently
- High School Diploma or equivalent required
- Culinary Arts certificate or degree preferred
- Aviation or airline catering experience a strong plus
- Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. — no sponsorship available
- Food Handler / Food Safety Manager Certification required (ServSafe or equivalent)
Work Environment
- Cold-room and hot production spaces
- Fast-paced, deadline-driven aviation operation
- Standing for long periods and moderate-to-heavy lifting required
- Exposure to carts, sharp tools, and high-traffic areas
- 24/7 operation with shift flexibility essential