At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen, ensuring quality and consistency in every dish.
- Company: Join The Wild Duck, a beloved pub known for its character and seasonal British cuisine.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, TRONC, bonuses, and 25% staff discount across venues.
- Other info: Enjoy ongoing training and development in a supportive kitchen environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team that values quality ingredients and great cooking.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Sous Chef or strong Junior Sous ready to step up.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Sous Chef – The Wild Duck, Ewen (Cirencester) Open Fire Cooking | Seasonal British Produce | A Kitchen with Character
We’re looking for a talented and driven Sous Chef to join the team at The Wild Duck, one of the Cotswolds’ most loved and characterful pubs. Set in the heart of Ewen, just outside Cirencester, The Wild Duck is known for its relaxed atmosphere, beautiful setting, and a food offering that celebrates seasonality, simplicity, and bold, honest flavours.
This is an exciting opportunity to step into a key leadership role within a kitchen that values quality ingredients, thoughtful cooking, and a calm, focused team culture.
About Country Creatures
Country Creatures operates a collection of standout pubs, inns and restaurants across the Cotswolds, known for exceptional hospitality and a strong food and drink offering rooted in quality and consistency.
The Role – Sous Chef
As Sous Chef, you’ll work closely with the Head Chef to lead the kitchen day-to-day — ensuring standards are maintained, the team is supported, and the food consistently delivers. You’ll be hands-on, organised, and commercially aware, with a genuine passion for great cooking and developing others.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Supporting the Head Chef in running a high-performing kitchen
- Leading service with confidence, ensuring quality and consistency
- Driving standards across prep, hygiene, and organisation
- Supporting stock control, ordering, and GP management
- Training and developing junior chefs
- Maintaining a calm, professional environment, even under pressure
What We’re Looking For
- Previous experience as a Sous Chef or strong Junior Sous ready to step up
- A passion for seasonal, ingredient-led cooking
- Strong understanding of kitchen operations, cost control, and food safety
- A natural leader who can motivate and support a team
- High standards, attention to detail, and pride in your work
- A positive, hands-on attitude and strong work ethic
What We Offer
- Competitive salary (dependent on experience)
- TRONC and bonus opportunities
- Work with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients
- A supportive and ambitious kitchen team
- Ongoing training and development
- 25% staff discount across all Country Creatures venues
Location: The Wild Duck, Ewen, Cirencester
Full-time, permanent role
If you’re a Sous Chef who cares about food, team culture, and delivering something genuinely special, we’d love to hear from you.
Sous Chef - Weekends Only in Cirencester employer: Country Creatures
Contact Detail:
Country Creatures Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sous Chef - Weekends Only in Cirencester
✨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 a lead on that perfect Sous Chef position at The Wild Duck.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, organise a tasting session or a pop-up event to showcase your cooking style and passion for seasonal ingredients. This hands-on approach can really make you stand out to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings; reach out directly to The Wild Duck or similar venues. Express your interest and ask if they’re looking for someone with your skills. A personal touch can go a long way!
✨Tip Number 4
Keep learning! Stay updated on the latest culinary trends and techniques. Consider taking a short course or workshop to enhance your skills. This shows your commitment to growth and can make you an even more attractive candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef - Weekends Only in Cirencester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking: When writing your application, let your love for seasonal and ingredient-led cooking shine through. Share any experiences or dishes that highlight your culinary creativity and commitment to quality.
Highlight Leadership Skills: As a Sous Chef, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to emphasise your leadership experience. Talk about how you've motivated others in the kitchen and maintained a calm environment, even during busy service times.
Be Organised and Detail-Oriented: We value high standards and attention to detail, so in your application, mention how you manage kitchen operations, stock control, and food safety. Show us you're the organised type who can keep everything running smoothly.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to see your application and get you on board with our fantastic team at The Wild Duck!
How to prepare for a job interview at Country Creatures
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with seasonal British produce and be ready to discuss your favourite ingredients. Show your passion for ingredient-led cooking by sharing examples of dishes you've created using local produce.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Prepare to talk about your experience in leading a kitchen team. Think of specific instances where you motivated junior chefs or maintained a calm environment under pressure. This will highlight your natural leadership qualities.
✨Showcase Your Kitchen Operations Knowledge
Brush up on your understanding of kitchen operations, cost control, and food safety. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve managed stock control and ordering in previous roles, as this is crucial for the Sous Chef position.
✨Emphasise Team Culture
The Wild Duck values a supportive team culture, so be ready to share how you contribute to a positive work environment. Discuss your approach to training and developing others, showcasing your commitment to teamwork and collaboration.