At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant kitchen, delivering high-quality dishes in a busy waterfront venue.
- Company: Join the award-winning Lake View Garden Bar, part of Hargreaves Enterprises.
- Benefits: Earn £17.00 per hour, enjoy free meals, and access discounts across venues.
- Other info: Enjoy a fun work environment with opportunities for training and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic kitchen with strong leadership support.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or a confident Sous Chef ready to step up.
The predicted salary is between 35040 - 35040 € per year.
Work somewhere worth running a kitchen. Imagine leading a kitchen where the terrace is packed, the lake is right outside, and every service has the energy of peak season. This isn't a quiet backstreet kitchen. Lake View Garden Bar is a busy, three-level waterfront venue in Bowness-on-Windermere, serving fresh food and drinks to guests who are genuinely on holiday and in a good mood. We're a Cumbria Tourism Awards finalist and Best Beer Garden award winner, and the standard we hold ourselves to reflects that.
We're looking for a Head Chef who can take real ownership of the kitchen, lead a team with confidence, and deliver consistent, high-quality food in a high-volume environment. You'll work closely with and report to our Executive Chef, so you'll have strong leadership above you as well as a team below you.
- Leading the kitchen team day-to-day, setting standards and driving performance
- Delivering consistent, high-quality dishes across busy services
- Controlling GP margins and minimising waste
- Ensuring food safety, hygiene, and compliance at all times
- Training and developing your team on skills and consistency
- Working closely with the Executive Chef and wider management team to keep service running smoothly across the venue
This role suits someone who's confident running a kitchen, not just working in one.
- Previous experience as a Head Chef, or a strong Sous Chef ready to step up
- Strong on standards, consistency, and kitchen discipline
- Food safety and hygiene knowledge (Level 2 minimum)
- Available for evenings, weekends, and peak seasons
Pay: £17.00 per hour
- Monthly tip pool
- Free meals on shift
- Discounts across all Hargreaves Enterprises venues
- Access to in-house training and industry qualifications (Level 2 to 5)
- Annual staff party
- Company events
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Employee mentoring programme
- Health and wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
Job type: Full-time, Permanent
Executive Sous Chef, Full Time in Windermere employer: Hargreaves Enterprises
At Lake View Garden Bar, we pride ourselves on being a vibrant and dynamic workplace where creativity thrives and every team member is valued. Nestled in the picturesque Bowness-on-Windermere, our award-winning venue offers not only competitive pay and a monthly tip pool but also a supportive environment with ample opportunities for professional growth through in-house training and mentoring. Join us to lead a passionate kitchen team, enjoy free meals on shift, and participate in exciting company events that celebrate our collective achievements.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Sous Chef, Full Time in Windermere
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with other chefs and hospitality professionals. Attend local events, join culinary groups, or even hit up social media platforms to find opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a job opening!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, organise a tasting event or a pop-up kitchen to showcase your culinary talents. This not only gives you a chance to impress potential employers but also helps you build your personal brand in the industry.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to appear. Reach out directly to restaurants or venues you admire, like Lake View Garden Bar. A well-timed email or call can put you on their radar before they even start looking for candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep learning and growing! Take advantage of any training opportunities available, whether it’s through in-house programmes or online courses. The more skills you have, the more attractive you’ll be to employers looking for a confident leader in the kitchen.
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Sous Chef, Full Time in Windermere
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When you're writing your application, let your love for cooking and food shine through. We want to see that you’re not just about the job, but that you genuinely care about creating amazing dishes and leading a team to do the same.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:Make sure to mention any experience you have in leading a kitchen or team. We’re looking for someone who can take charge and inspire others, so share examples of how you've done this in the past.
Be Specific About Your Experience:Don’t just list your previous roles; tell us about the specific skills and achievements you’ve gained. Whether it’s managing GP margins or training staff, we want to know how you’ve made an impact in your previous kitchens.
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 don’t miss out on any important updates from us during the process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hargreaves Enterprises
✨Know Your Kitchen Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the Lake View Garden Bar’s menu and the type of cuisine they serve. This will show your genuine interest in the role and help you discuss how you can contribute to their high standards.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a potential Executive Sous Chef, it’s crucial to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team, managed high-pressure situations, and trained staff to maintain consistency and quality.
✨Discuss Food Safety and Hygiene Knowledge
Be ready to talk about your food safety and hygiene practices. Highlight any relevant certifications you have and share specific instances where you ensured compliance and maintained high standards in your previous roles.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the kitchen culture, the team dynamics, and how they measure success. This shows that you’re not just interested in the job, but also in how you can fit into their environment.