Sous Chef in Stafford

Sous Chef in Stafford

Stafford Full-Time 25000 - 30000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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Hoar Cross Hall

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead kitchen operations and create exceptional dining experiences for guests.
  • Company: Join a premier spa and hotel destination with a rich heritage.
  • Benefits: Competitive pay, free meals, spa access, and discounts on stays.
  • Why this job: Elevate your culinary career in a stunning historic estate.
  • Qualifications: Experience as a Sous Chef or strong CDP ready for the next step.
  • Other info: Flexible shifts with opportunities for professional growth.

The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.

Hoar Cross Hall is one of the UK’s premier Spa and Hotel destinations, home to award-winning experiences, exceptional dining, and a proud heritage of warm hospitality. We are looking for an experienced and passionate Sous Chef to join our talented culinary team and help us deliver outstanding dining experiences for our guests.

If you are driven, creative, and thrive in a high-quality kitchen environment, this is an exciting opportunity to develop your career within Barons Eden.

About the Role

As Sous Chef at Hoar Cross Hall, you will take a leading role in supporting the daily operations of the kitchen. Working closely with the Head Chef, you will help manage the team, maintain exceptional food standards, and ensure the smooth, efficient running of all kitchen activities. In the Head Chef’s absence, you will confidently step up to take full responsibility for the kitchen.

Key Responsibilities

  • Leadership & Kitchen Management
    • Supporting and deputising for the Head Chef in daily kitchen operations.
    • Providing leadership, motivating the kitchen team, and maintaining a positive and professional working environment.
    • Supervising, training, and developing kitchen staff, ensuring high standards of performance.
    • Assisting with rota planning, ensuring the kitchen is appropriately staffed to meet business demands.
  • Food Quality & Menu Development
    • Ensuring all dishes served across the restaurant and buffet areas meet Hoar Cross Hall’s high standards.
    • Maintaining excellent presentation, consistency, and quality in every dish.
    • Contributing ideas for monthly menus and supporting the design and development of dishes using the freshest ingredients.
    • Working alongside the Head Chef to minimise waste and ensure cost-effective food production.
  • Stock Control & Supplier Coordination
    • Maintaining strong relationships with suppliers, ensuring quality and value for money.
    • Overseeing ordering and stock levels, especially in the Head Chef’s absence.
    • Ensuring goods received meet required standards and returning any substandard produce.
    • Assisting with monthly stock-takes and weekly time sheets.
  • Health, Safety & Compliance
    • Ensuring full compliance with Food Hygiene, Health & Safety, and COSHH requirements.
    • Promoting high standards of cleanliness through structured cleaning schedules.
    • Ensuring all kitchen staff follow uniform, hygiene, and PPE guidelines.
    • Completing daily food and fridge temperature checks.
    • Following Fire and Evacuation procedures and taking appropriate action when required.
  • Communication & Guest Service
    • Maintaining strong communication with the Head Chef, Restaurant Manager, and wider senior team through daily briefs and weekly meetings.
    • Handling guest feedback and complaints professionally in the Head Chef’s absence.

What We’re Looking For

  • Experience as a Sous Chef or strong CDP ready for the next step.
  • Passion for fresh, seasonal ingredients and creative menu development.
  • Excellent leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and guide a team.
  • Excellent organisation, time management, and attention to detail.
  • Proactive, positive attitude with the ability to perform under pressure.
  • Solid understanding of food safety, hygiene, and compliance standards.

Shift Patterns

Full-Time - 45 hours per week, 5 days out of 7 per week – this includes weekends, holidays, and evenings. Typical shift patterns: 08:00 – 17:30hrs and 13:30 – 23:00hrs. Note: Full flexibility is key as you will be expected to work as and when necessary to meet the needs of the team and the business.

Why Join Us

  • Work in a stunning, historic estate with a commitment to excellence in hospitality.
  • Competitive Rate of Pay.
  • Complimentary use of the leisure and spa facilities.
  • Free meal per shift from our staff canteen.
  • Complimentary Spa Day at Eden Hall on work anniversaries.
  • Employee Benefits Program.
  • Free Parking.
  • Refer-a-Friend scheme.
  • Discount on overnight stays and spa days.
  • 30% discount on food and drink.
  • Excellent Induction and training programme.
  • Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

People say you can’t choose your family, well we choose you to be part of ours!

Sous Chef in Stafford employer: Hoar Cross Hall

Hoar Cross Hall is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture within a stunning historic estate in Staffordshire. As a Sous Chef, you will benefit from competitive pay, complimentary leisure and spa access, and a strong focus on employee development, ensuring you thrive in your culinary career while being part of a supportive team that values creativity and excellence in hospitality.
Hoar Cross Hall

Contact Detail:

Hoar Cross Hall Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Sous Chef in Stafford

✨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 Hoar Cross Hall.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! If you can, whip up a signature dish and share it on your social media or even bring it along to an interview. It’s a great way to demonstrate your passion for fresh ingredients and creative menu development.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for the kitchen! Brush up on your knowledge of food safety, hygiene, and compliance standards. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're ready to step up and take responsibility when needed.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team at Hoar Cross Hall.

We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef in Stafford

Leadership Skills
Kitchen Management
Food Quality Assurance
Menu Development
Stock Control
Supplier Coordination
Health and Safety Compliance
Food Hygiene Standards
Communication Skills
Guest Service
Time Management
Attention to Detail
Ability to Work Under Pressure
Team Motivation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your love for fresh, seasonal ingredients and creative menu development shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you’re genuinely excited about the culinary world!

Highlight Your Experience: Make sure to detail your experience as a Sous Chef or a strong CDP ready for the next step. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and lead a team, so share examples of how you've done this in your previous roles.

Be Organised and Detail-Oriented: In your application, emphasise your excellent organisation and time management skills. Mention any specific instances where your attention to detail made a difference in food quality or kitchen operations – we love to hear about those!

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Hoar Cross Hall. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!

How to prepare for a job interview at Hoar Cross Hall

✨Know Your Ingredients

Familiarise yourself with seasonal ingredients and how they can elevate dishes. Be ready to discuss your favourite ingredients and how you’ve used them creatively in past roles.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples of how you've motivated and developed kitchen teams in previous positions. Highlight any specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them to maintain a positive working environment.

✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Quality

Be prepared to talk about your approach to food quality and presentation. Share experiences where you ensured high standards were met, and discuss how you handle feedback from guests or team members.

✨Understand Compliance and Safety Standards

Brush up on food hygiene, health and safety regulations, and COSHH requirements. Be ready to explain how you’ve implemented these standards in your previous kitchens to ensure a safe working environment.

Sous Chef in Stafford
Hoar Cross Hall
Location: Stafford
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