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- Tasks: Lead kitchen operations, create menus, and manage a vibrant team.
- Company: Join a dynamic café group focused on fresh meals for children.
- Benefits: Enjoy daytime hours, 28 days holiday, and a great work-life balance.
- Why this job: Perfect for aspiring leaders wanting to make an impact in a fun environment.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Sous Chef or similar, with strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: No late finishes and at least one weekend day off every week.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Hours: Daytimes only, 10:00am - 5:30pm
Days Off: At least one weekend day off every week
Holidays: 28 days (including bank holidays)
We are looking for a reliable and experienced Sous Chef looking to progress into a management role to head up the kitchen across two vibrant cafés as a Cook Team Leader, serving simple, fresh meals, mainly for children (e.g. nachos, burgers, fish & chips, pasta, etc.). This is a daytime-only role offering a great work-life balance - no late finishes and at least one weekend day off.
What you'll be doing:
- Leading kitchen operations and cooking during service
- Creating and costing seasonal menus
- Managing the food budget and stock
- Overseeing food safety, HACCP, and all legal compliance
- Catering for dietary needs
- Supervising and motivating the kitchen team
- Handling all kitchen admin and paperwork
- Maintaining consistent food quality and cleanliness standards
What we're looking for:
- A strong leader with kitchen management experience
- Someone highly organised and confident with kitchen systems
- Solid understanding of food safety, allergens, and compliance
- Good tenure in previous roles
- Experience as a Sous Chef, Chef Manager, or similar
- Experience cooking in schools or pubs will be beneficial
Sous Chef - St Albans (day time only) employer: Collins King & Associates Limited
Contact Detail:
Collins King & Associates Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sous Chef - St Albans (day time only)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of a daytime kitchen environment. Since this role focuses on serving meals primarily for children, understanding dietary requirements and preferences is crucial. Highlight any relevant experience you have in similar settings during your conversations.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by discussing how you've successfully managed a kitchen team in the past. Be prepared to share examples of how you've motivated staff and maintained high standards, as this will resonate well with our expectations for a Cook Team Leader.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your knowledge of food safety and compliance regulations. Being well-versed in HACCP and allergen management is essential for this role, so be ready to discuss how you've implemented these practices in your previous positions.
✨Tip Number 4
Network within the culinary community, especially with those who have experience in schools or cafes. Building connections can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to recommendations that could strengthen your application with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef - St Albans (day time only)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in kitchen management and leadership roles. Emphasise any specific achievements or responsibilities that align with the job description, such as menu creation or food safety compliance.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for cooking and your leadership skills. Mention your experience in managing kitchen operations and how you can contribute to the vibrant café environment, especially in catering for children.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, focus on your previous roles as a Sous Chef or Chef Manager. Include specific examples of how you've successfully led a team, managed budgets, and ensured food safety standards.
Showcase Your Understanding of Dietary Needs: Since the role involves catering for dietary needs, mention any experience you have in this area. Discuss how you’ve adapted menus or ensured compliance with food safety regulations in past positions.
How to prepare for a job interview at Collins King & Associates Limited
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Sous Chef, you'll be expected to lead the kitchen team. Be prepared to discuss your previous leadership experiences and how you've motivated and managed a team in high-pressure situations.
✨Demonstrate Your Menu Planning Abilities
Since you'll be creating seasonal menus, think about examples of menus you've developed in the past. Be ready to explain your thought process behind menu creation, including cost management and catering to dietary needs.
✨Emphasise Food Safety Knowledge
Understanding food safety and compliance is crucial for this role. Brush up on your knowledge of HACCP and be prepared to discuss how you ensure food safety standards are met in the kitchen.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think about challenges you've faced in the kitchen and how you resolved them, especially in relation to managing staff or handling dietary requirements.
