At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the kitchen team, create delicious dishes, and ensure top-notch food safety.
- Company: Join a vibrant café expanding into a new 200-cover operation.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible hours, and opportunities for extra commission.
- Other info: Supportive environment with a focus on teamwork and career development.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting transition and make your mark in a growing café.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Sous Chef and a passion for culinary creativity.
The predicted salary is between 29558 - 29558 £ per year.
Blue Arrow Derby is proud to be working in partnership with an excellent manufacturing & visitor attraction client within the Staffordshire area who are looking to recruit a Sous Chef on a full time, permanent basis to join their team. Our client is expanding their much-loved destination café into a 200-cover operation supported by a brand-new, purpose-catering facility within their bustling retail site. This is a pivotal moment in their journey – therefore we are looking for a passionate and driven Sous Chef to join and play a key role in shaping this exciting new chapter.
Hours: 40 hours per week – working 5 out of 7 days a week (on a 2-week rotation with every other weekend off) 8:30am – 4:30pm with a 4:00pm finish on Sundays.
Salary: £14.21 p/h / £29,558 per annum – with a chance to also earn extra commission.
The Sous Chef will be a vital member of the kitchen team, acting as the Head Chef's right hand and taking on a wide range of responsibilities:
- Food preparation: Follow recipes and prepare dishes to high standards of quality and consistency.
- Supervision: Train, motivate and lead kitchen staff, ensuring an efficient and happy team.
- Menu planning: Assist in designing creative, seasonal menus and daily specials.
- Inventory management: Order supplies, manage stock and control kitchen costs effectively.
- Food safety & hygiene: Maintain top-tier cleanliness and safety across all kitchen operations.
- Operational support: Provide hands-on support to always ensure smooth service.
- Administrative tasks: Manage paperwork, stock records, and kitchen documentation.
- Culinary expertise: Demonstrate strong cooking skills and accuracy in food preparation.
- Leadership & teamwork: Support a positive, collaborative kitchen environment.
- Organisation & time management: Ensure efficient planning and compliance with safety regulations.
- Communication: Communicate clearly with both kitchen staff and front-of-house teams.
What will you bring:
- Previous experience as a Sous Chef is essential.
- Previous experience working within a café/visitor attraction/restaurant environment is highly desirable.
- Food hygiene level 2 (dated within the last three years) is essential.
- Food allergens knowledge is desirable.
- Creative and innovative approach.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Confidence with a good sense of humour.
- Strong organisational and time management.
- Calm under pressure.
- Ability to manage workload and priorities.
- Attention to detail.
- Positive, enthusiastic attitude.
- Strong team-player.
- Multi-tasking ability.
- Willingness to undertake training.
Why should you apply:
This is more than just a job – it's a chance to help lead the transition into the new café/kitchen space, support the Head Chef and senior management team with menu development, team direction, and the overall kitchen organisation. You'll take the lead in the Head Chef's absence to ensure our team is inspired, organised, ready to deliver exceptional food to our growing number of guests. Blue Arrow is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to helping find great work opportunities for great people.
Sous Chef employer: Blue Arrow HS
Contact Detail:
Blue Arrow HS Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sous Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the culinary world, whether it's through social media or local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Consider creating a portfolio of your best dishes or even a short video showcasing your cooking techniques. This can really set you apart and give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their kitchen.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to restaurants or cafés you admire and express your interest in working with them. A little initiative can go a long way!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic opportunities waiting for passionate Sous Chefs like you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Let’s get you cooking in that new café!
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for cooking and the culinary arts shine through. We want to see your enthusiasm for food preparation and team leadership, so don’t hold back on sharing your love for creating delicious dishes!
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Sous Chef role. Highlight your previous experience in similar environments, especially any work in cafés or visitor attractions. We’re looking for specific examples that showcase your skills in menu planning and team supervision.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to describe your experiences and skills. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for our kitchen team.
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. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our company and what we stand for.
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Arrow HS
✨Know Your Recipes
Brush up on your culinary skills and be ready to discuss your favourite recipes. Be prepared to explain how you would approach menu planning and food preparation, showcasing your creativity and attention to detail.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
As a Sous Chef, you'll need to lead and motivate your team. Think of examples from your past experience where you've successfully trained or managed kitchen staff. Highlight your ability to maintain a positive and collaborative environment.
✨Understand Food Safety
Make sure you're up to date with food hygiene regulations and safety practices. Be ready to discuss how you ensure cleanliness and safety in the kitchen, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Communicate Clearly
Effective communication is key in a busy kitchen. Prepare to demonstrate how you would communicate with both kitchen staff and front-of-house teams to ensure smooth operations. Share examples of how you've handled communication challenges in the past.