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- Tasks: Lead the kitchen team, ensuring top-notch food prep and service.
- Company: Join a prestigious College known for its culinary excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary and a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Perfect for food lovers wanting to grow in a creative kitchen culture.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Professional Cookery and two years of kitchen experience required.
- Other info: Opportunity to develop signature dishes and work with fresh produce.
The predicted salary is between 36809 - 36809 £ per year.
Job Overview:
As a Sous Chef at one of the prestigious Cambridge Colleges, you will be an integral part of the kitchen team, working closely with the Head Chef to ensure the delivery of high-quality, nutritious meals for students, staff, and guests. Your role will include supervising and mentoring kitchen staff, ensuring food quality, maintaining cleanliness, and supporting the smooth running of the kitchen in this fast-paced, academic environment.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assist the Head Chef in menu planning and food preparation, ensuring that meals are balanced, seasonal, and meet the needs of the college community.
- Supervise the day-to-day operation of the kitchen, ensuring adherence to health and safety standards, food hygiene regulations, and the colleges policies.
- Lead, train, and motivate kitchen staff, helping to develop their culinary skills and ensuring consistency in food quality and presentation.
- Oversee food preparation and cooking for a variety of dining experiences, including formal dinners, buffets, and casual meals.
- Manage stock control, including inventory, ordering, and reducing food waste.
- Ensure efficient operation of the kitchen during the absence of the Head Chef, including overseeing kitchen schedules and handling issues that arise.
- Maintain strong communication with other departments, such as front-of-house and catering coordinators, to ensure seamless service delivery.
- Collaborate with the Head Chef to maintain the kitchens budget, ensuring cost-effective use of resources.
- Stay updated on culinary trends, introducing new techniques and concepts to enhance the dining experience at the College.
- Ensure the kitchen environment is always clean, organized, and compliant with health and safety regulations.
Qualifications and Experience:
- Proven experience as a Sous Chef or in a similar senior kitchen role, preferably in a large, high-volume catering environment.
- NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Professional Cookery
- Excellent knowledge of food preparation, cooking techniques, and presentation.
- Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and develop a team.
- Familiarity with Cambridge College dining traditions, and the ability to adapt to the specific needs of a college environment.
- Exceptional organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
- Solid understanding of food safety, hygiene standards, and risk management.
- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as required by the colleges dining schedule.
Desirable Attributes:
- Experience in institutional catering or university-level dining services.
- A passion for creating meals that cater to diverse dietary requirements and preferences.
- Ability to embrace the history and traditions of the College while contributing innovative ideas to the dining experience.
Application Process:
Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role, with specific reference to your experience in a similar setting.
This role offers a unique opportunity to work within one of the worlds most esteemed academic institutions, contributing to the vibrant, dynamic life at a Cambridge College.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £36,000.00-£40,000.00 per year
Additional pay:
- Performance bonus
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
Schedule:
- Weekend availability
AMRT1_UKCT
Sous Chef employer: BLW Recruitment LTD
Contact Detail:
BLW Recruitment LTD Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sous Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Showcase your leadership skills during the interview. As a Sous Chef, you'll be supervising and training other chefs, so be prepared to discuss your experience in managing a team and how you motivate others.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarize yourself with HACCP and food safety regulations. Be ready to talk about how you've implemented these practices in previous roles, as this is crucial for maintaining high standards in the kitchen.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your creativity in menu planning. Think of unique dishes or concepts you've developed in the past and be prepared to share them, as this role involves creating signature dishes for various events.
✨Tip Number 4
Highlight your ability to work under pressure. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed busy service periods while maintaining quality and efficiency in the kitchen.
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience: Make sure to emphasize your experience in kitchen management and supervision. Detail any previous roles where you led a team or managed food preparation, as this aligns with the responsibilities of the Sous Chef position.
Showcase Culinary Skills: Include specific examples of your culinary skills and creativity. Mention any signature dishes you've developed or unique cooking methods you excel at, as this will demonstrate your passion for food.
Emphasize Training Abilities: Since training staff is a key part of the role, highlight any experience you have in mentoring or training other chefs. Provide examples of how you've successfully developed others' skills in the kitchen.
Demonstrate Knowledge of Food Safety: Clearly outline your understanding of HACCP and food safety regulations. Mention any relevant qualifications, such as your Intermediate Food Hygiene certification, to show that you prioritize health and safety in the kitchen.
How to prepare for a job interview at BLW Recruitment LTD
✨Show Your Culinary Passion
Make sure to express your love for food and cooking during the interview. Share specific examples of dishes you enjoy creating and how you stay updated with culinary trends. This will demonstrate your creativity and passion, which are essential for the role.
✨Highlight Your Leadership Skills
Since the position involves supervising and training other chefs, be prepared to discuss your leadership style. Provide examples of how you've motivated staff in the past and how you handle pressure in a busy kitchen environment.
✨Demonstrate Knowledge of Food Safety
Familiarize yourself with HACCP and COSHH regulations, as these are crucial for the role. Be ready to discuss how you ensure compliance in the kitchen and any experiences you have had in training others on these standards.
✨Prepare for Menu Planning Discussions
Since you'll be assisting in menu planning, think about how you would approach creating a cyclic menu. Be ready to share ideas for incorporating fresh produce and developing signature dishes that align with the college's standards.
