At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the kitchen team, ensuring high standards of food quality and hygiene.
- Company: Join a family-run garden centre with a popular restaurant focused on homemade, local cuisine.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, daytime hours, and generous employee discounts.
- Other info: Flexible holiday options and a contributory pension scheme available.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team creating delicious, seasonal dishes in a vibrant environment.
- Qualifications: Proven culinary skills and experience in a fast-paced restaurant setting.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
Your local, family-run, independent garden centre, restaurant and shop Haddenham Garden Centre is a family owned business which has been established for 45 years. Our popular restaurant “The Gardener’s Retreat” has a state of the art kitchen and focuses on homemade, locally sourced food and drink. We are currently looking to recruit an experienced Sous Chef who drives for standards and results as well as having a passion for serving great food. The role offers sociable daytime hours and one weekend off per month. The working hours will be an average of 42.5 hours per week.
As our Sous Chef, you would:
- Deputise for the Head Chef in their absence ensuring the kitchen is managed efficiently and professionally.
- Ensure daily work areas are allocated to staff in the most hygienic, efficient and cost-effective way to achieve quality results.
- Assist in the ordering, storage and management of all food and kitchen sundries items ensuring compliance with current legislation.
- Assist with menu planning and food preparation, ensuring the consistency of a high standard of food quality and presentation at all times.
- Help maintain budgets and financial control within the area by purchasing food/kitchen items in line with agreed budgets and by ensuring effective wastage control.
- Help plan and implement daily specials, promotions and events in conjunction with the Head Chef and Restaurant Manager.
- Help train and develop staff in achieving consistently high standards of food production and cleanliness in the workplace and to encourage a continual improvement process.
- Accurately co-ordinate and manage all office admin functions associated with kitchen employees in the absence of the Head Chef, including updating of training records, preparation of rotas, completion of timesheets for staff payroll, absence reviews and management of staff holidays.
- Ensure compliance with Health and Safety and food safety regulations.
Do You have?
- Outstanding culinary skills.
- Experience working in a fast‑paced, high‑volume restaurant at a similar level.
- The ability to organise, delegate and get things done in a timely manner.
- Team player attitude – able to work closely with the Head Chef.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Personal drive to help us develop the business.
You will also be a great communicator, calm under pressure and be driven by creating high quality, seasonal fresh food. With us you’ll help train, motivate and inspire the team to help grow our successful food operation.
What can we offer you?
- Competitive Salary plus share of gratuities.
- Sociable daytime hours with one weekend off per month.
- Attractive employee discounts following successful completion of probationary period.
- Contributory Pension scheme.
- Flexible holiday and Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day off.
Sous Chef – Daytime Hours employer: Haddenham Garden Centre
Haddenham Garden Centre is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and family-oriented work environment where culinary passion meets community spirit. With sociable daytime hours, competitive salary, and opportunities for employee discounts and growth, you will thrive in a role that values your contributions while enjoying the benefits of working in a well-established, independent business dedicated to quality and sustainability.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sous Chef – Daytime Hours
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Chat with fellow chefs, attend local food events, or join culinary groups. 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! If you can, whip up a dish and share it on social media or even bring a sample to your interview. It’s a tasty way to demonstrate your passion for great food and your culinary expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the restaurant! Get to know Haddenham Garden Centre and its menu. When you show that you understand their focus on homemade, locally sourced food, it’ll impress them and show you’re genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at The Gardener’s Retreat!
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef – Daytime Hours
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for cooking and serving great food shine through. Share any experiences that highlight your culinary skills and your commitment to using locally sourced ingredients.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Sous Chef role. Highlight relevant experience in fast-paced kitchens and any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how you can bring your unique flair to our team!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your qualifications and achievements. Remember, we appreciate a well-organised application!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our family-run business!
How to prepare for a job interview at Haddenham Garden Centre
✨Know Your Culinary Stuff
Brush up on your culinary skills and be ready to discuss your experience with homemade, locally sourced food. Be prepared to share specific examples of dishes you've created or menu items you've contributed to in previous roles.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Emphasise your ability to work as part of a team. Share stories that highlight your collaboration with chefs and kitchen staff, especially how you’ve helped train or motivate others in a fast-paced environment.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect questions about managing kitchen operations, such as how you would handle ordering and storage of food items. Think through scenarios where you had to maintain hygiene standards or manage budgets effectively.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion
Let your passion for creating high-quality, seasonal food shine through. Talk about what inspires you in the kitchen and how you keep up with food trends, as well as your commitment to continuous improvement in food production.
