At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen, collaborating with various chefs and managing exciting food events.
- Company: Join a vibrant hospitality team creating a unique culinary space in East London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, opportunities for growth, and a creative work environment.
- Other info: Full-time role with evening and weekend shifts; great potential for career progression.
- Why this job: Be part of shaping a new concept while learning from diverse culinary talents.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Sous Chef or strong Junior Sous Chef with a passion for food.
The predicted salary is between 38000 - 45000 £ per year.
Full‑time – London Fields / Mare Street, East London.
About the role
We are building a new kind of hospitality space in Hackney: a curated kitchen and bar programme where chefs, bartenders and collaborators take over the space for short residencies, events and experiences. The concept is designed to constantly evolve, with a changing calendar of pop‑ups, dinners, tastings, private hires and social events. We are looking for a Sous Chef to help lead the kitchen and food programme day‑to‑day. This is not a traditional Sous Chef role. The right person will help run the kitchen during our in‑house food programme while also working closely with a rotating line‑up of chefs and collaborators during residencies and events. It’s an exciting opportunity to be part of opening a new concept from the ground up while learning from different personalities, styles and approaches across the industry. The role will work in close partnership with our Group Head Chef to shape and execute the food offering outside of collaborations, while helping maintain consistency, standards and operational excellence across a constantly evolving programme. This role will be central to the identity and rhythm of the space. We want someone who is organised, ambitious, adaptable and genuinely excited by food, hospitality and creative collaboration.
About the space
The venue is an intimate, industrial kitchen and bar in Mare Street, with a large open kitchen and counter seating at its heart. It is designed as a platform for rotating chefs, drinks‑led experiences and social hospitality. The space is curated and operated by us. While the concepts may change, the guest experience, standards and overall feel of the venue remain consistent. The Sous Chef will play a key role in protecting those standards while helping the kitchen remain flexible, creative and well executed.
What you’ll be responsible for
- Kitchen operations and service
- Support the day‑to‑day running of the kitchen and lead services when required.
- Work closely with the Group Head Chef to deliver the venue’s core food programme outside of collaborations and residencies.
- Take ownership of kitchen organisation, prep systems, cleanliness and service flow.
- Help ensure consistency, quality and strong execution across changing menus and concepts.
- Support the set‑up and operational execution of guest chef residencies, takeovers and collaborative events.
- Maintain calm and effective communication during busy services and fast‑paced event nights.
- Collaborations and events
- Work alongside visiting chefs and collaborators during residencies and events.
- Help support transitions between different kitchen concepts, menus and styles of service.
- Assist with kitchen set‑up, prep coordination and operational readiness for events and takeovers.
- Help ensure collaborators are supported operationally while maintaining the standards of the venue.
- Contribute ideas and feedback to improve the overall guest and kitchen experience across the programme.
- Team leadership and development
- Support and mentor junior kitchen team members.
- Help coach and develop a positive, accountable and professional kitchen culture.
- Lead by example during prep and service with strong standards and attention to detail.
- Support training and onboarding as the team grows.
- Health, safety and compliance
- Take ownership of kitchen health and safety standards.
- Ensure the kitchen consistently operates in line with food safety and hygiene requirements.
- Maintain strong systems around cleanliness, storage, labelling and HACCP procedures.
- Help monitor stock rotation, wastage and kitchen organisation to maintain efficient operations.
- Identify operational risks early and proactively solve problems before they affect service.
What we’re looking for
You likely have:
- Experience working as a Sous Chef or strong Junior Sous Chef in a quality‑led restaurant.
- Confidence running kitchen services and supporting day‑to‑day operations.
- Strong understanding of kitchen organisation, prep systems and food safety.
- Experience mentoring or supporting junior chefs.
- A calm, solutions‑focused approach during busy services.
- Strong communication and organisational skills.
- An interest in modern hospitality, collaborations and creative food concepts.
We think you’ll thrive if you are:
- Excited by learning from different chefs and styles of cooking.
- Comfortable working in a venue where things evolve regularly.
- Adaptable, organised and proactive.
- Passionate about hospitality and guest experience.
- Motivated by helping build a kitchen and concept from the ground up.
- Interested in being part of a creative and collaborative environment.
Ideal profile
- A Sous Chef looking for a more creative and varied environment.
- A Junior Sous Chef ready to step into a broader leadership role.
- Someone excited by being part of opening and shaping a new venue from the beginning.
Other details
Full‑time role based in Mare Street, East London. Evening and weekend availability required. Salary: £38,000 to £45,000 including tronc. Opportunity to help shape a new hospitality concept from the ground up. As the business continues to grow, there will also be opportunities for development and progression into more senior kitchen leadership roles across the wider group.
About us
We’re the team behind Crudo and Tiny Wine, two independent hospitality concepts we’ve built in London over the past few years. Crudo opened in 2019 and has grown into a group of restaurants built around modern Latin American food, strong atmosphere and warm, energetic service. Tiny Wine came out of our love for smaller, more intimate drinking spaces, with a big focus on personality, curation and creating a place people genuinely want to spend time in. A big part of what we’ve learned through both brands is that people come back for more than just the food or drinks. They come back for the feeling of the place, the team behind it, and the sense that something thoughtful is being built.
About Crudo Restaurant & Tiny Wine Bar: Crudo is a modern Latin‑inspired restaurant group in London, known for fresh ceviches and vibrant flavours. We're a growing team that values creativity, collaboration and offers opportunities to learn and grow. Rocola Studio is the next step in that. It gives us the opportunity to create a more flexible space built around a changing programme of chefs, drinks, events and collaborations. A space that can evolve constantly, while still being run with a clear point of view and strong operational standards. We’re excited by the idea of building something that feels social, current and full of life – somehow guests want to return to regularly, and somewhere chefs and collaborators are genuinely excited to be part of.
Senior / Sous Chef - New Opening employer: Crudo Restaurant & Tiny Wine Bar
Join a dynamic and innovative team in East London as a Senior/Sous Chef, where you'll be at the forefront of a unique hospitality concept that thrives on creativity and collaboration. With a focus on personal growth, you'll have the opportunity to learn from diverse culinary talents while shaping a vibrant kitchen culture in an intimate setting. Enjoy competitive salary packages, a supportive work environment, and the chance to influence a constantly evolving food programme that keeps both guests and chefs excited.
Contact Details:
Crudo Restaurant & Tiny Wine Bar Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior / Sous Chef - New Opening
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with fellow chefs, bartenders, and industry folks. Attend local food events, pop-ups, or workshops to meet potential collaborators and learn about new opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your creativity! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, share your ideas for unique dishes or concepts. Let them see your passion for evolving food experiences.
✨Tip Number 3
Be adaptable! In a dynamic kitchen environment, being flexible is key. Highlight your ability to work with different chefs and styles, and how you thrive in fast-paced settings during your conversations.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in our vision. Make sure to showcase your enthusiasm for being part of a creative and collaborative kitchen environment.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior / Sous Chef - New Opening
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for food and hospitality shine through. Share your experiences and what excites you about working in a creative kitchen environment like ours.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the unique aspects of this role. Highlight your adaptability and experience with collaborations, as we’re all about evolving concepts and teamwork.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your skills and experiences are easy to spot. Use bullet points if it helps!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to see your application and get to know you better. Plus, it shows you’re keen on being part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Crudo Restaurant & Tiny Wine Bar
✨Know Your Kitchen Basics
Before heading into the interview, brush up on your kitchen operations knowledge. Be ready to discuss your experience with prep systems, food safety, and how you maintain cleanliness and organisation in a busy kitchen. This role is all about adaptability, so show them you can handle the heat!
✨Show Your Collaborative Spirit
Since this position involves working closely with various chefs and collaborators, be prepared to share examples of past experiences where you successfully worked in a team. Highlight your ability to support others while maintaining high standards, as this will resonate well with their focus on creative collaboration.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Food
Let your enthusiasm for food and hospitality shine through during the interview. Talk about your favourite culinary experiences, what excites you about modern hospitality, and how you envision contributing to their evolving kitchen concept. They want someone who is genuinely excited about the role!
✨Prepare Questions About Their Vision
Come armed with thoughtful questions about their new concept and how they see the kitchen evolving. This shows that you're not just interested in the job, but also in being part of something bigger. Ask about their approach to guest experiences and how they plan to maintain consistency amidst change.
