Sous Chef 
Job Title: Sous Chef
Location: La Crosse, WI
Type: Full-time
Reports To: Executive Chef
About the Shrine
The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, Wisconsin, faithful to the message of the Blessed Virgin Mary, through her appearance on the American continent in 1531, serves the spiritual needs of those who suffer poverty in body and soul. It is a place of ceaseless prayer for the corporal and spiritual welfare of God’s children, especially those in most need. The Shrine welcomes thousands of pilgrims each year who seek spiritual growth, healing, and a connection with God through our liturgical, devotional, and educational offerings.
Position Summary
The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe is seeking a mission-focused Sous Chef to support our growing hospitality ministry.
The Sous Chef will work closely with the Executive Chef to oversee daily food production in the Culina Mariana Cafe and prepare for the opening of its new Pilgrim House in the spring of 2027. This position will play a key role in developing menus, standardizing recipes, and creating systems that support future food service operations, maintain high culinary standards, and ensure efficient kitchen operations. This hands-on leadership position is responsible for supervising staff, training team members, maintaining food safety standards, and helping deliver outstanding dining experiences for retreat guests.
Key Responsibilities
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Assist the Executive Chef with planning, preparing, and executing daily meals.
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Train, coach, and mentor kitchen and cafe staff.
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Maintain food quality, presentation, and portion control.
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Ensure sanitation and food safety compliance.
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Foster a positive work environment
Key Qualifications & Requirements
Required
- Experience as a sous chef, lead cook, or kitchen supervisor.
- Demonstrated leadership in a commercial kitchen environment.
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and stand for extended periods.
Preferred
- Culinary degree or formal culinary training.
- Experience with menu development and recipe standardization.
- Experience serving large groups, retreats, banquet events, or hospitality operations.
- Knowledge of inventory management and food cost control.
- Flexible and adaptable in a growing ministry environment.
- Appreciation for, and support of, the Catholic mission of the Shrine.
- Respect for the Catholic environment, including modesty in dress, language and action.
Before beginning work at the Shrine, all prospective employees must complete a screening for the presence of illegal or controlled substances in your system. A positive drug screen, or refusal to take the drug screen, will constitute grounds for withdrawal of an employment offer or termination of employment.
