Sous Chef

Offering a competitive salary, monthly tips, and an annual £2,598 Islay Living Allowance (paid monthly) for all off-site team. Wild coastlines, big skies and a close-knit island community set the rhythm of daily life on Islay. The roll of waves, breeze-blown dune grasses, and call of seabirds make up a rich island soundtrack. It’s a haven for people who live and breathe the outdoors. Exhilarating and revitalising, vibrant and relaxed - the wonder of the wilds here is limitless.

Set within this captivating landscape lies Another Place – The Machrie. Originating from the Gaelic term ‘machair’, meaning ‘the linking stretch of land that joins the grassy dunes with the shoreline’, The Machrie offers elevated comforts and unforgettable experiences.

Our Sous Chef role:

Across land, sea and air, Islay is brimming with fresh island produce – all coming together at The Courtyard and the hotel’s award-winning 18 Restaurant & Bar. From Loch Gruinart oysters, Islay scallops and Port Askaig lobster, to superb beef, lamb and game, and locally grown vegetables, our menus are as fresh as they come. Behind the bar, you’ll also find Islay whisky, gin, rum and an array of craft beers.

We’re looking for a knowledgeable, passionate, and hardworking Sous Chef to join our kitchen team at Another Place – The Machrie. You’ll be passionate about food, with previous experience of working within a similarly high-quality environment, and eager to express your culinary skills.

This role provides a unique opportunity for career development in an ambitious and expanding organization, with excellent long-term career prospects. We also offer a monthly share of tips and a competitive Islay Living Allowance of £2598 per year for off-site team.

As our Sous Chef you’ll be:

• Supervising and participating in the preparation, cooking, and portioning of food dishes, including team meals, maintaining the hotel's quality standards.
• Deputising in the absence of our Executive Chef and managing the kitchen.
• Ensuring training is conducted and recorded according to standards.
• Assisting our Executive Chef in organising, supervising, and steering the kitchen operation, ensuring team fulfil their duties to the hotel's standards.
• Providing effective and courteous guest service, handling queries, complaints, and resolving issues.
• Upholding the hotel's standards of appearance, cleanliness, and hygiene in the kitchen areas.
• Monitoring and checking the work of all chefs.
• Managing all areas of the kitchen and the team.
• Controlling schedules to ensure sufficient chefs are on duty and maximum productivity is maintained.
• Complying with legal requirements such as Food and Hygiene Regulations, the Health and Safety at Work Act, and Fire Regulations.
• Ensuring proper usage and maintenance of operating equipment, reporting any deviations from safety standards to the Head Chef or General Manager.
• Collaborating with our Executive Chef and General Manager to conduct weekly kitchen audits.
• Continually refreshing and updating your allergen awareness and knowledge (training will also be provided).

You’ll also be:

• Helping to ensure a safe environment for both staff and guests and following company Health and Safety policies and procedures.
• Following preservation standards for the proper handling of all food products (stored at the correct temperature).
• Promoting our shared responsibility to look after our team and planet.

With 43 beautifully designed rooms, a world-class Scottish championship links golf course, and a contemporary restaurant showcasing seasonal island produce (recognised with a 4* Silver AA award and a Rosette), The Machrie encapsulates the best of both worlds; a feeling of being looked-after, and the freedom to explore.

For our guests, how their stay makes them feel is crucial; cared about, looked after, welcome. It’s the heart and soul of our active relaxation concept, made possible by the people on our team.

The skills you’ll be sharing with us:

• Excellent time management and delegation skills
• Confident in communicating with team and guests
• Previous management experience within a similar establishment
• NVQ level 1&2, or equivalent, as a minimum
• A broad knowledge of ingredients, with a particular passion for Scottish and locally sourced, sustainable foods (preferred)
• A flexible attitude to working hours and variable shift patterns
• Basic computer skills
• Passionate about staying ahead of emerging trends in the high-end food industry, consistently bringing fresh ideas, refined techniques, and contemporary flair to the dining experience.
• Excellent international culinary knowledge across various cuisine types
• A cool head to maintain balance in a high-pressure kitchen environment
• A genuine care for our team and our wider community and environment
• Ability to make decisions quickly and effectively
• Enthusiastic about training and mentoring others
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records
• Ability to work on a variety of tasks simultaneously

Additional experience you’ll need:

• A valid driving licence and use of a personal vehicle.
• Previous experience of island living, or equivalent (desirable).

Life at Another Place – The Machrie

On Islay, The Machrie embraces all-season island living. With long winters, limited entertainment, and few distractions, it requires an appreciation and resilience for rural life. Due to the hotel’s remote location, you will require a valid driving license and access to a personal vehicle. We also offer team accommodation within same-sex residences (where possible).

As a team, we work together to deliver memorable moments for our guests to immerse themselves in the vibrancy of island living, and it’s our strong sense of community and our wider connection to the residents and natural beauty of Islay, that allows us to offer a space where outdoor living and indoor comforts coalesce – where both guests, locals, and team can rest, play, work, gather, and make the most of what matters.

What we’ll offer you in return:

• A relaxed, professional place to work in a beautiful location – Islay ‘the queen’ of the Hebridean archipelago off the West Coast of Scotland
• A welcoming team of like minds, eager to support and encourage each other
• Accommodation (as required, dependent on availability)
• Excellent career prospects in an ever-expanding organisation
• An Islay Living Allowance provided for team members residing off-site
• Use of our Championship Links Golf Course (7,000 yards from the back tees, rated one of the world's top 100), regardless of ability
• Special rates for you and your friends & family to stay at Another Place – The Machrie, Another Place – The Lake, SeaSpace, and Watergate Bay Hotels
• Discounts for you and your friends & family to eat at our variety of restaurants (including 18 Restaurant and Bar)
• Team social events throughout the year
• Team assistance scheme – a dedicated helpline for support & advice on topics from mental health through to managing your finances

From discounted stays to training and development opportunities, we're all about helping our team achieve their personal and professional goals. With far-reaching views stretching across the golf links and Laggan Bay, you’ll never be short on inspiration. Life at Another Place isn't just a job - it's a transformative career opportunity.

If you come alive in nature and have a genuine desire to expand your hospitality skills in a location where your attitude and experience truly matter, Another Place - The Machrie is the place for you. If you would love to join us as our Sous Chef, apply now and be part of our journey at Another Place – The Machrie, a wonderful place to work.