Sous Chef

Sous Chef

Darlington Full-Time 28800 - 43200 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a passionate kitchen team, ensuring exceptional food quality and mentoring junior chefs.
  • Company: Cairn Group is a leading UK hospitality company with over 60 years of experience.
  • Benefits: Enjoy real-time pay access, discounts on stays, food, wellness, and fun activities.
  • Why this job: Join a supportive environment where your contributions are valued and career growth is encouraged.
  • Qualifications: Experience in culinary leadership and a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences.
  • Other info: Celebrate milestones with long-service awards and enjoy year-round incentives.

The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.

Hospitality Starts Here – Build Your Future with Cairn Group

Are you ready to grow your career in hospitality? At Cairn Group, we believe work should be rewarding, exciting, and full of opportunities to learn and develop. Whether you\’re creating unforgettable guest experiences or supporting your team, you\’ll be part of a friendly, supportive environment where your contributions are valued. With the opportunity to learn, develop, and be recognised, Cairn Group is a place where you can build a career, you’re proud of.

About the Role:

As Senior Sous Chef at Cairn Group, you’ll support the Head Chef in leading a passionate kitchen team to deliver exceptional food and an unforgettable dining experience.

You’ll take ownership of daily operations, deputising in the Head Chef’s absence, and ensuring high standards of consistency, quality, and presentation. From managing prep to overseeing service and mentoring junior chefs, your leadership will help create a positive, efficient kitchen environment.

You’ll also assist in developing menus, managing supplier relationships, and maintaining excellent food hygiene and safety standards across every service.

Benefits:

  • Get Paid in Real-Time or build savings with Wagestream: Take control of your earnings. Track your pay live, access funds when needed, build savings and get expert financial tips—all in real-time.
  • Stay, Relax and Recharge: Enjoy discounted stays across our all our venues. Treat yourself or bring your friends and family along for a well-earned break.
  • Delicious Discounts: Indulge a little with discounts off food and drinks across our hotels, bars and restaurants.
  • Spa Discounts: Self-care matters! Treat yourself with exclusive wellness offers at our spas and leisure clubs.
  • Retail, Cinema & Fun Discounts: Enjoy exclusive access to savings on shopping, cinemas trips and fun days out.
  • Rise with Us: From apprenticeships to leadership programmes, we support you to grow and reach your career goals.
  • Superstar Awards: Your hard work deserves the spotlight! Each month we celebrate and reward our team members who showcase our values and bring hospitality to life.
  • Long-Service Awards: Celebrate key milestones with us, starting from just one year of service—plus enjoy extra annual leave as a thank-you for your commitment.
  • Recommend a Friend: Bring great people into the team and earn a bonus when they join!
  • 24/7 Support: We’re committed to your wellbeing. Access our confidential Employee Assistance Programme anytime, anywhere.
  • Bereavement Leave – When life gets tough, we ensure you have the time and support you need to be with your loved ones.
  • Pension Scheme: Plan for your future with your pension plan, designed to help you build long-term security.
  • Year-Round Incentives: Enjoy fun incentives, exciting challenges, and surprise perks throughout the year!

About You:

You will thrive at Cairn Group because you are:

  • A Hospitality Hero – You inspire others with your passion for food and dedication to exceptional guest experiences.
  • A Service Superstar – You consistently deliver high-quality dishes and support smooth kitchen service with confidence and flair.
  • A Team Player – You motivate and guide your team, creating a supportive and high-performing kitchen culture.
  • Cool Under Pressure – You remain calm, efficient, and focused during high-volume service and in unexpected situations.
  • A Polished Professional – You uphold food safety and hygiene standards while presenting yourself with professionalism and pride.
  • Proactive & Organised – You manage prep, stock, and service with efficiency, and support the Head Chef in planning and team coordination.
  • Experienced & Motivational – You bring a wealth of culinary knowledge, with experience leading kitchen brigades and mentoring developing chefs.

About Us:

Cairn Group is a leading UK hospitality company with over 60 years of expertise in hotel acquisition, ownership, management, investment, and development. Our journey has been shaped by successful partnerships with global brands and a commitment to creating thriving, guest-focused properties.

At Cairn Group, our values – Respect, Integrity, Sustainability, and Excellence (RISE) – are at the heart of everything we do. We respect our team and guests, act with integrity, and invest in our people to build a sustainable future – for our business, our communities, and the planet. Every day, we work to deliver excellence, going the extra mile to create outstanding experiences for our guests.

#INDLP

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Sous Chef employer: Holiday Inn Scotch Corner

Cairn Group is an exceptional employer in the hospitality sector, offering a vibrant and supportive work culture where your contributions are truly valued. With a strong focus on employee growth through various training programmes and recognition initiatives, you can build a rewarding career as a Sous Chef while enjoying unique benefits like real-time pay access, discounted stays, and wellness offers. Join us in creating unforgettable guest experiences in a dynamic environment that prioritises both personal and professional development.
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Contact Detail:

Holiday Inn Scotch Corner Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Sous Chef

✨Tip Number 1

Network with current or former employees of Cairn Group. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and what it takes to succeed as a Sous Chef. Engaging with them on platforms like LinkedIn can also help you get noticed.

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your leadership skills during any informal interactions or interviews. Discuss specific examples where you've successfully led a kitchen team or mentored junior chefs, as this aligns perfectly with the role's requirements.

✨Tip Number 3

Familiarise yourself with Cairn Group's values of Respect, Integrity, Sustainability, and Excellence (RISE). Be prepared to discuss how you embody these values in your work, as they are central to the company's ethos.

✨Tip Number 4

Stay updated on current culinary trends and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to menu development. This shows your proactive approach and passion for creating exceptional dining experiences, which is crucial for the Sous Chef position.

We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef

Culinary Skills
Leadership and Team Management
Menu Development
Food Safety and Hygiene Standards
Time Management
Creativity in Food Presentation
Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Ability to Work Under Pressure
Inventory Management
Training and Mentoring
Attention to Detail
Customer Service Orientation
Adaptability

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in the kitchen, particularly any leadership roles or responsibilities you've had. Emphasise your culinary skills and any specific cuisines you excel in, as well as your ability to manage a team.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for hospitality and how it aligns with Cairn Group's values. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to lead a kitchen team and create exceptional dining experiences.

Showcase Your Achievements: Include quantifiable achievements in your application, such as improvements in kitchen efficiency, menu development successes, or awards received. This will help illustrate your impact in previous roles.

Highlight Teamwork and Leadership Skills: Cairn Group values teamwork and leadership. Make sure to provide examples of how you've motivated and guided your team in past positions, especially in high-pressure situations.

How to prepare for a job interview at Holiday Inn Scotch Corner

✨Show Your Passion for Food

During the interview, express your enthusiasm for culinary arts and hospitality. Share specific examples of dishes you love to create and how you ensure exceptional guest experiences.

✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills

As a Sous Chef, you'll be leading a team. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've motivated and guided kitchen staff in previous roles.

✨Highlight Your Organisational Skills

Talk about how you manage kitchen operations, from prep to service. Discuss your methods for maintaining efficiency and organisation, especially during busy periods.

✨Emphasise Food Safety Knowledge

Cairn Group values high standards of food hygiene. Be ready to discuss your experience with food safety regulations and how you ensure compliance in the kitchen.

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