At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the kitchen team, ensuring high-quality food and safety standards.
- Company: Join a vibrant company passionate about real cooking and fresh ingredients.
- Benefits: Enjoy overtime pay, staff discounts, paid breaks, and 28 days holiday.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive team with great opportunities for personal development and career growth.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Sous Chef or Junior Sous Chef with strong kitchen skills required.
- Other info: Participate in exciting staff events and competitions, plus enjoy Christmas off!
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.
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
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 cooking and high-quality ingredients will help you align your passion with our mission during any conversations or interviews.
✨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 our kitchen culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you engage with kitchen teams. We value strong communication and teamwork, so think of examples that showcase your ability to lead and motivate others effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current food trends and best practices in kitchen management. Being knowledgeable about the latest in food safety, hygiene, and kitchen efficiency will demonstrate your commitment to excellence in your role.
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the key responsibilities and skills required for the Sous Chef position. Tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience in leading kitchen teams and working with fresh ingredients.
Craft a Compelling CV: Ensure your CV showcases your culinary skills, previous roles, and any achievements in the kitchen. Include specific examples of how you've led teams, maintained high standards, and contributed to a positive kitchen environment.
Write a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for real cooking and your alignment with the company's values. Mention your experience with health and safety standards, and how you can contribute to maintaining 5* kitchen standards.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Make sure to emphasise your communication skills and ability to manage stakeholders. Discuss your familiarity with KPIs and your experience in training and recruiting kitchen staff, as these are crucial for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Lounges
✨Show Your Passion for Real Cooking
Make sure to express your love for cooking with fresh ingredients during the interview. Share specific examples of dishes you've created or techniques you've mastered that align with the company's focus on quality and customer-led cooking.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Sous Chef, you'll be leading the kitchen team. Be prepared to discuss your experience in managing shifts, training staff, and maintaining high standards. Highlight any instances where you've successfully led a team through busy service periods.
✨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 in your previous roles, as this is crucial for the position.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to make decisions under pressure. Think of scenarios where you've had to manage stock levels, handle food safety issues, or resolve conflicts within the team, and be ready to share those experiences.