At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist the Head Chef in managing kitchen operations and delivering exceptional dining experiences.
- Company: Estelle Manor, a stunning rural retreat with a vibrant culinary scene.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, exclusive staff rates, wellness perks, and 28 days holiday.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and create memorable culinary experiences in a beautiful setting.
- Qualifications: Experience in kitchen management and a passion for mentoring and training.
- Other info: Enjoy biannual socials, stocked colleague spaces, and opportunities for personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 39661 - 54000 £ per year.
Estelle Manor is a rural retreat set on an 85-acre estate in Oxfordshire. The manor has four restaurants, a 3,000 sq metre Roman-inspired spa (Eynsham Baths), 108 bedrooms and a gym with class studios and padel courts. There is a kids' club and a workspace. As the countryside companion to Maison Estelle, the manor is a hosted home, bringing people together that have plenty to say and nothing to prove.
You will assist the Head Chef in managing all food-related quality and standards, food safety and health in the kitchen. You will take pride in ensuring all dishes leaving the kitchen meet standards, act as an engaging and inspirational trainer and coach to your brigade, and have a passion for delivering exceptional and memorable experiences for our members and guests.
The on target earning potential for this role is £50,000-£54,000 per annum OTE based on a 45 hour contract – comprising a base salary of £39,661 plus an estimated £12,000-£15,000 in gratuities and service charge. Please note this role is paid hourly so this is a projected salary and OTE.
Responsibilities:- Assisting the Head Chef to oversee and manage the daily operations within the kitchen at our Glasshouse Restaurant.
- Delivering on the food concept vision and helping to develop innovative menu ideas, identifying new culinary opportunities within Estelle Manor.
- Updating briefs across departments on menu items, communicating provenance, allergens, nutritionals and other distinctive information.
- Overseeing budget and operations, assisting and engaging with the kitchen's senior leadership team to manage all food health & safety standards.
- Standing in for the Head Chef in their absence and making managerial decisions within the kitchen, ultimately responsible for the quality of all items leaving the kitchen.
- A team-oriented, positive, driven, organized and solution-focused leader.
- An inspiring leader who relishes training and mentoring the team.
- Excellent communication and training skills.
- Experience working across all kitchen sections.
- Experience managing daily operations, setup, standards and operating procedures.
- Ability to perform under pressure and deliver results to deadlines.
- Proactive, with initiative to explore issues and generate new ideas with creative thinking.
- Passionate about delivering exceptional guest experience with keen attention to detail.
At Estelle, we prioritise your wellbeing and growth, offering a range of perks to enrich your experience. Enjoy exclusive staff rates, biannual socials, and Birthday Wheel surprises. Nurture your wellbeing with stocked colleague spaces and daily Smart Fridges. Engage in forums shaping The Estelle Way and utilise the provided uniforms and onsite seamstress support. You will be valued, supported, and celebrated.
We have a range of perks and benefits:
- Biannual company socials plus smaller social and sports groups.
- Exclusive staff rates and F&B discounts across sister properties.
- Estelleversary and Birthday Wheel gifting for all employees.
- Colleague spaces stocked with food, drinks and locally sourced coffee.
- Seasonal, daily stocked Smart Fridges with freshly prepared meals on shift.
- Pension, health cash plan and life assurance schemes.
- 28 days holiday, inclusive of bank holidays, increasing with length of service.
- Colleague Forums and Sustainability Committees to help shape The Estelle Way.
- Uniform provided, cleaned and pressed.
- Onsite seamstresses to ensure your uniform fits and can be repaired.
Gratuities (tips) are paid on a pro-rata basis regardless of role. In 2025, full-time employees can expect to receive around £9,000 in gratuities in addition to base salary.
Senior Sous Chef in London employer: Estelle Manor
Contact Detail:
Estelle Manor Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Sous Chef in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the kitchen culture at Estelle Manor! Before your interview, check out their social media and website to see what they're all about. This will help you connect with the team and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their culinary journey.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your cooking skills and be ready to showcase them! If you get the chance, ask if you can do a trial shift or a cooking demonstration. This is your moment to shine and show off your creativity and passion for delivering exceptional dishes.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to highlight your leadership skills! As a Senior Sous Chef, you'll be inspiring and training your brigade. Share examples of how you've successfully led a team in the past, and how you plan to bring that energy to Estelle Manor.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for a smoother process! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows that you’re keen on joining the Estelle family and ready to dive into the exciting culinary world they offer.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Sous Chef in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When you're writing your application, let your love for cooking and creating dishes shine through. Share any unique culinary experiences or inspirations that have shaped your journey in the kitchen.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a Senior Sous Chef, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to emphasise your experience in training and mentoring others. We want to see how you've inspired your brigade and contributed to a positive kitchen environment.
Be Specific About Your Experience: Don't just list your previous roles; dive into the details! Talk about the specific kitchen sections you've worked in and any innovative menu ideas you've developed. This helps us understand your expertise and creativity.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Estelle Manor!
How to prepare for a job interview at Estelle Manor
✨Know Your Culinary Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your culinary knowledge, especially around the food concept vision and innovative menu ideas. Be ready to discuss your experience in managing kitchen operations and how you've maintained food safety standards in previous roles.
✨Show Off Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Sous Chef, you'll need to inspire and train your team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully mentored others and improved team performance. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively and lead under pressure.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in real-life kitchen scenarios. Think about how you'd handle high-pressure situations or resolve conflicts within the team. Practising these responses can help you feel more confident during the interview.
✨Express Your Passion for Guest Experience
Estelle Manor values exceptional guest experiences, so be prepared to share your passion for creating memorable dining moments. Discuss any unique ideas you've implemented in the past that enhanced guest satisfaction and how you plan to bring that to Estelle.