At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead kitchen operations and develop exciting brunch and pizza menus.
- Company: Pod Cafe, a vibrant beachfront cafe in Portreath Beach.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible hours, staff discounts, and delicious food.
- Other info: Opportunity for growth as we expand our evening pizza service.
- Why this job: Join a creative team and shape a new culinary concept by the beach.
- Qualifications: Experience in fast-paced kitchens and a passion for fresh, healthy food.
The predicted salary is between 20250 - 24750 £ per year.
Location: Pod Cafe, Portreath Beach, Cornwall
Position: Sous Chef
Hours: 25–35 hours per week to start
Salary: Competitive / negotiable depending on experience, plus tips and perks
Job Type: Part-time, with the opportunity to transition to full-time
An Exciting New Chapter at Pod Cafe!
Overlooking the sand and surf at Portreath Beach, Pod Cafe is embarking on an ambitious transformation! We’re undergoing a refurbishment and rolling out an exciting new concept in two distinct phases.
STAGE 1 – LAUNCHING FIRST
Daytime Aussie brunch vibes with a vibrant, health-conscious twist. Think fresh colours, sourdough, colourful bowls, creative baking and feel-good fuel for beachgoers, locals and surfers.
STAGE 2 – COMING SPRING 2027
Evening handcrafted artisan sourdough pizzas with inventive toppings and fresh, high-quality ingredients.
If you’re a passionate, creative and cool-headed chef looking to join a tight-knit management structure and help steer this transformation from day one, this is your moment!
The Role
Working in close partnership with both our Head Chef and General Manager (GM), you’ll form part of the core leadership trio driving kitchen operations, food quality and team culture across the venue. Starting at 25–35 hours per week, you’ll have immediate input into our daytime brunch launch, baking recipes and kitchen systems, with the opportunity to expand your role as our evening pizza offering launches next year.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership & Teamwork: Work hand-in-hand with the Head Chef and GM to align front-of-house and back-of-house operations, ensuring seamless service and a great team atmosphere.
- Cool Head on the Line: Step up alongside the Head Chef during high-volume, fast-paced rushes, maintaining control, kitchen flow and exceptional food standards.
- Menu Development & Baking: Collaborate with the Head Chef on fresh brunch ideas, in-house baking recipes, healthy bowls and innovative daily specials, while helping develop sourdough pizza recipes ahead of Stage 2.
- Low-Waste Ethos: Champion intelligent kitchen practices, minimising food waste, managing stock efficiently and creating thoughtful, health-conscious dishes.
- Operations & Standards: Help oversee kitchen hygiene, food safety compliance, stock control and team coaching, working in line with the standards set by the GM and Head Chef.
What We Are Looking For – Absolute Must-Haves
- Fast-Paced & Fresh Food Experience: You thrive in high-volume, fast-turnaround environments without sacrificing quality. When the café gets seriously busy, you bring a cool head, calm focus and clear communication.
- Collaborative Leadership Style: You enjoy working side-by-side with the Head Chef and GM to solve problems, streamline preparation and motivate the kitchen team.
- Genuine Food Passion: You live and breathe food, stay ahead of modern culinary trends and love menu creation and recipe testing.
- Creativity & Healthy Focus: You’re passionate about fresh ingredients, low-waste cooking and vibrant, healthy food with an Aussie brunch flair.
- Baking / Sourdough Interest: Experience with baking and sourdough is a bonus, but a genuine eagerness to learn and develop these skills is equally welcome.
What We Offer
- A Key Management Role: Work directly alongside the Head Chef and GM to shape a brand-new concept and menu from the ground up.
- Stunning Location: Work right on the beachfront in beautiful Portreath.
- Growth Potential: Start at 25–35 hours per week, with room to grow as our evening pizza service launches.
- Work/Life Balance: Competitive pay and fair scheduling.
- Staff Perks: Great coffee, delicious food on shift and staff discounts.
Ready to Join the Transformation? If you have a cool head under pressure, a passion for fresh food and the ambition to help build something special on the Cornish coast, we’d love to hear from you!
Sous Chef employer: Basset Arms
MOR offers an exceptional working environment where the beauty of Carbis Bay enhances your dining experience. As a Coastal Waiter, you'll be part of a passionate team led by renowned chefs, with opportunities for personal growth and development in hospitality. Enjoy live-in accommodation and exclusive staff perks while delivering outstanding service in a stunning beachside setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sous Chef
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Check out foodie festivals, farmers' markets, and local fairs in your area. These are perfect opportunities to meet restaurant owners and managers face-to-face, and they often look for part-time help during busy seasons.
✨Join Hospitality Groups
Connect with local hospitality groups on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. These communities frequently post about part-time job openings that aren’t advertised elsewhere, plus it’s a great way to engage with the food scene in your area!
✨Show Up in Person
For part-time roles in the hospitality sector, don't underestimate the power of a walk-in. Grab your best smile and pop into local cafés or restaurants with your CV in hand. It shows initiative and can really make you stand out!
✨Apply Through Our Website!
Don’t forget to check out the openings at Basset Arms and apply directly through our website! We love seeing friendly faces and you’ll be surprised how many part-time roles pop up that may not be listed on job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Skills:In the hospitality and food service industry, showcasing your customer service experience is key. Be sure to highlight relevant roles in your CV or cover letter where you’ve directly engaged with customers—this could be from previous waitressing, barista jobs, or any roles that involved teamwork and communication. You want to convince us at Basset Arms that you can keep it cool under pressure!
Certifications Matter:If you’ve got any hospitality-related certifications—like food safety or first aid—definitely mention those! Including these credentials can set you apart from other applicants. It shows us that you're serious about the health and safety standards we maintain here at Basset Arms.
Flexibility is Your Friend:Since this is a part-time role, we’re looking for someone who can work various shifts. In your application, it’s useful to outline your availability clearly. Make it easy for us to see when you can jump in and help out—this shows that you’re committed and ready to adapt!
Let Your Personality Shine:In hospitality, personality plays a vital role. Use your cover letter to share why you’re passionate about food service and what brings you joy in helping customers. A personal touch can make your application memorable and help us at Basset Arms get a sense of who you are beyond your experience!
How to prepare for a job interview at Basset Arms
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In hospitality, your ability to work with customers and team members is crucial. Be prepared to share stories that highlight your experience in handling customer service situations, especially any tricky ones. We want to hear how you turned a potentially negative experience into a positive one!
✨Know the Menu Inside Out
You might get quizzed on the menu items or asked about your favourite dishes. Brush up on any special offerings at Basset Arms and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for their food. This shows you’re not just looking for any job, but you’re genuinely excited about working with their team.
✨Flexibility is Key
As you're going for a part-time role, emphasise your availability and willingness to work various shifts. Mention any instances where you've gone above and beyond for scheduling or helped out during busy times. This flexibility can make you stand out from the crowd!
✨Role-Play Scenarios
Be ready for role-play scenarios during your interview! Employers love to see how you handle on-the-spot situations, like dealing with a dissatisfied customer or managing a specific request from a patron. Practising these scenarios with friends can help boost your confidence.
