At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant kitchen team, crafting innovative dishes in a lively Cypriot taverna.
- Company: Join Arcade, a dynamic hospitality project celebrating global cuisines.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, staff discounts, and wellness support.
- Other info: Join a creative team in a fast-paced, unique restaurant environment.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting culinary journey and develop your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Sous Chef with a passion for fresh, high-quality food.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 45000 £ per year.
Zylia - A standalone taverna bringing together the best of Greek and Cypriot cuisine.
About Arcade: Arcade is one of UK’s most ambitious and exciting hospitality projects! A dynamic playground where world-class chefs, bold culinary ideas, and vibrant guest experiences come together under one roof. As a brand incubator, we launch, operate, and scale original concepts that celebrate global cuisines and exceptional drink culture.
About Zylia: Zylia is a small, soulful, 50‑cover restaurant that brings the spirit of a real Cypriot village taverna into the heart of London. Inspired by the aromas of charcoal cooking, the warmth of Mediterranean hospitality, and the generosity of a homecooked meal, Zylia is a place full of energy, tradition, and heart.
About The Role: Given our exciting growth plans at Arcade, we're looking for an experienced Sous Chef based in London to support our upcoming new opening in Covent Garden - Zylia! This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Sous Chef that wants to join our Senior Team and further develop their leadership skills.
The successful candidate will be an experienced kitchen all-rounder who is personable and passionate about all things food and drink. As Sous Chef working closely with our kitchen teams you will:
- Bring the experience and gravitas to steer, manage and guide a sizeable team of chefs for the standalone taverna.
- Manage the overall kitchen operation, including prep schedules, stock control, budgeting and maintenance.
- Take a lead role in ensuring our teams comply with health, safety and compliance procedures.
- Ensure the delivery of consistent, high quality and innovative dishes.
- Have the opportunity to lead, train and motivate your kitchen team.
- Play a supporting role in menu development.
We'd love to hear from you if you:
- Bring experience as a Senior Sous Chef or Sous Chef in a fresh food, high quality environment.
- Bring hands-on experience with charcoal or open-fire grilling.
- Have a strong understanding of meat cookery, temperature control, and high-volume service execution.
- Have experience in managing staff costs, scheduling and reviewing staff rotas.
- Have a track record in managing, training and motivating a kitchen brigade.
- Bring experience in reporting on kitchen finances and purchasing.
- Have a strong working knowledge of health and safety, compliance and procedures.
- Have strong knowledge of and practical understanding of all sections of the kitchen.
- Bring a highly creative approach to your work with excellent attention to detail.
- Are a natural leader who is keen to progress your career with a bold restaurant group.
Working at Arcade: Our teams are the most important part of our business, translating our passion for genuine hospitality to our guests every day. We are proud to work with industry-leading talent and recognise the importance of offering our teams the tools, guidance and experience necessary to build confidence and grow.
At Arcade, we’re more than just a restaurant group... We’re a collective of bold, diverse food and drink brands driven by creativity, collaboration, and a passion for hospitality. We believe in growing together, empowering our people, and creating opportunities to thrive across all areas of the business. Whether onsite, behind the scenes or head office, working at Arcade means being part of something exciting, fast-moving, and truly unique in the hospitality industry.
Benefits of being part of the team: Your commitment to be kind and work hard comes with a range of benefits such as:
- Refer a friend bonus.
- Internal wage advance facility to instantly access the wages you’ve earned.
- Delicious, seasonal meals when you’re at work.
- A restaurant recognition budget for Birthday goodies and career milestones.
- Dedicated staff chill out areas with kitchens and your own seating off the restaurant floor.
- Balanced rotas. Your time outside of work is important to us.
- 50% off food in our restaurants for you and your loved ones.
- 50% off food in JKS restaurants within Arcade for you and your loved ones.
- Access to counselling, remote GP/physio services, legal advice and more through Hospitality Action 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.
- Summer and Christmas team parties where we all down tools and have some fun!
Sous Chef – Lead Open-Fire Cypriot Taverna Kitchen employer: Arcade Covent Garden
Arcade is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, where creativity and collaboration thrive. As part of the team at Zylia, you will enjoy a range of benefits including balanced rotas, generous discounts, and opportunities for personal and professional growth in a dynamic environment. Join us in Covent Garden to be part of a culinary adventure that celebrates the spirit of Mediterranean hospitality while working alongside industry-leading talent.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sous Chef – Lead Open-Fire Cypriot Taverna Kitchen
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the restaurant scene in London! Visit places like Zylia and other taverna-style spots to understand their vibe. This will help you connect with the culture and show your passion during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network, network, network! Attend culinary events or workshops where you can meet industry professionals. A friendly chat can lead to job opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! If you get a chance, do a trial shift or a cooking demo. It’s a great way to demonstrate your expertise in open-fire grilling and meat cookery, which is key for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our team at Arcade.
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef – Lead Open-Fire Cypriot Taverna Kitchen
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When you're writing your application, let your love for food and cooking shine through! Share your experiences with Cypriot or Greek cuisine, and don’t be shy about mentioning any charcoal grilling skills you have. We want to see that you’re not just a chef, but a culinary enthusiast!
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Sous Chef role at Zylia. Highlight your experience in high-quality kitchens, especially with open-fire cooking. We’re looking for someone who can manage a team and deliver innovative dishes, so make that clear in your application!
Be Personable:We value personality just as much as skills! In your cover letter, let us know a bit about yourself and your approach to teamwork. We want to see that you can lead and motivate a kitchen brigade while keeping the atmosphere lively and positive.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Zylia. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our vibrant team at Arcade!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arcade Covent Garden
✨Know Your Charcoal Cooking
Since the role focuses on open-fire grilling, make sure you brush up on your techniques and knowledge about charcoal cooking. Be ready to discuss your experience with different meats and how you control temperatures for perfect results.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Sous Chef, you'll be leading a team, so highlight your past experiences in managing and motivating kitchen staff. Prepare examples of how you've trained others or improved team dynamics in previous roles.
✨Understand the Menu Development Process
Zylia is all about creativity and innovation in its dishes. Think about how you can contribute to menu development and come prepared with ideas that reflect the spirit of Cypriot cuisine. This will show your passion and initiative.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect practical questions related to kitchen operations, stock control, and health and safety compliance. Brush up on your knowledge of these areas and be prepared to discuss how you’ve handled similar situations in the past.
