Sous Chef

Sous Chef

Witham Full-Time 30000 - 42000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the kitchen team, ensuring high-quality food and safety standards.
  • Company: Join a vibrant hospitality business passionate about real cooking and fresh ingredients.
  • Benefits: Enjoy overtime pay, staff discounts, paid breaks, and a fun staff party!
  • Why this job: Be part of a supportive team with great opportunities for personal growth and career progression.
  • Qualifications: Experience as a Sous Chef or Junior Sous Chef with strong kitchen skills required.
  • Other info: Christmas and Boxing Day off, plus tips shared equally across the team!

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.

You love real cooking. We love real cooking. Customers love real cooking. It’s a no-brainer so you wonder why so many other places don’t do it. We do it, and you’ll be doing it with us - fresh, customer led, and with high-quality ingredients. As Sous Chef, you’ll be the Head Chef’s go-to for support, leading and engaging the kitchen team to deliver 14 great shifts week in, week out.

You’ll be leading shifts, making sure the kitchen runs effectively and safely. You’re as relentless as us about the detail, so you’ll be all over things like stocks, Health & Safety and Hygiene, manning the pass to ensure our food goes out on-spec and on-time, and always upholding 5* kitchen standards. You’ll be on it. Like a chef’s bonnet.

The Good Stuff

  • Overtime pay for every hour worked over contracted hours!
  • Staff food on every shift
  • 50% off staff discount to enjoy outside working hours from day one
  • Paid breaks
  • 28 days holiday (inclusive of Bank Holidays) pro rata
  • Enhanced maternity and paternity pay after 2 years service
  • The most talked-about staff party in hospitality - Loungefest!
  • Competitions and incentives (like jetting off on an all expenses paid trip with one of our suppliers)
  • Company pension scheme
  • Long service awards
  • Power over your pay with Wagestream
  • Emotional and practical support via the Licenced Trade Charity
  • Great opportunity for personal development and career progression in a fast growing business
  • Achievable bonuses
  • Tips shared equally across the team, based on hours worked
  • Christmas and Boxing Day off!

What you’ll bring

  • You are probably an existing Sous Chef, or perhaps a Junior Sous Chef/Assistant Kitchen Manager that is looking to take the next step in their career.
  • You will have experience of working with fresh ingredients and be able to demonstrate good chef/kitchen skills (food prep hot and cold, cleaning, knife skills, good hygiene practices).
  • Your work ethic is rolling your sleeves up and getting stuck in and leading from the front; playing an active role in delivering excellent kitchen and food standards as part of a high performing team.
  • Extremely driven and relentless at deconstructing the can’t mentality.
  • Familiar with KPIs and making decisions in the absence of the Head Chef considering labour; stock; food safety requirements plus others.
  • Epic communication skills with the ability to manage stakeholders and build rapport and trust (that would be with our Ops Chefs and Ops Managers).
  • Strong knowledge of best practice around rota scheduling, sales and labour forecasts, reporting, recruitment, HR etc.
  • You will have demonstrated successful delivery of training and recruitment for kitchen teams including Apprentices, KPs, Chefs, Junior Sous Chefs and Sous Chefs.

If you want to find out more about us, follow us on LinkedIn or @life.at.loungers on TikTok and Instagram.

Sous Chef employer: Lounges

At our establishment, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and supportive work culture that champions real cooking and high-quality ingredients. As a Sous Chef, you'll not only enjoy competitive benefits like overtime pay, generous staff discounts, and opportunities for personal development, but you'll also be part of a dynamic team that values your contributions and encourages career progression in a fast-growing business. With unique perks such as the renowned Loungefest staff party and shared tips, we ensure that every member feels valued and engaged in their culinary journey.
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Contact Detail:

Lounges Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Sous Chef

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with our brand and values. Understanding what we stand for in terms of fresh, customer-led cooking will help you align your passion and experience with our mission during any conversations.

✨Tip Number 2

Network within the culinary community. Attend local food events or workshops where you can meet other chefs and industry professionals. This can lead to valuable connections and insights about opportunities at StudySmarter.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you engage with kitchen teams. We value strong communication skills and the ability to motivate others, so think of examples that showcase your experience in these areas.

✨Tip Number 4

Research current trends in the culinary world, especially those related to fresh ingredients and health & safety practices. Being knowledgeable about these topics will demonstrate your commitment to excellence and innovation in the kitchen.

We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef

Leadership Skills
Kitchen Management
Food Preparation Skills
Knife Skills
Health & Safety Compliance
Hygiene Practices
Communication Skills
Team Building
Problem-Solving Skills
Stock Management
Labour Forecasting
Training and Development
Time Management
Attention to Detail
Ability to Work Under Pressure

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience as a Sous Chef or in similar roles. Focus on your skills with fresh ingredients, kitchen management, and any leadership roles you've held.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for real cooking and your commitment to high-quality standards. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to lead a kitchen team effectively.

Showcase Your Skills: In your application, emphasise your chef skills such as food preparation, hygiene practices, and communication abilities. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed kitchen operations or trained team members.

Highlight Your Work Ethic: Convey your strong work ethic and willingness to get stuck in. Share anecdotes that illustrate your dedication to maintaining high kitchen standards and your proactive approach to problem-solving.

How to prepare for a job interview at Lounges

✨Show Your Passion for Cooking

Make sure to express your love for real cooking during the interview. Share specific examples of dishes you've created or techniques you've mastered, as this will resonate with the company's focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients.

✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills

As a Sous Chef, you'll be leading the kitchen team. Be prepared to discuss your experience in managing shifts and how you engage and motivate your team. Highlight any successful training or mentoring you've provided to junior staff.

✨Know Your Health & Safety Standards

Familiarise yourself with health and safety regulations relevant to the kitchen environment. Be ready to discuss how you ensure compliance and maintain hygiene standards, as this is crucial for the role.

✨Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills, especially in high-pressure situations. Think of examples where you've had to make quick decisions regarding stock management or food safety, and be ready to share these experiences.

Sous Chef
Lounges
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  • Sous Chef

    Witham
    Full-Time
    30000 - 42000 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-04-20

  • L

    Lounges

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