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- Tasks: Manage the kitchen, design seasonal menus, and ensure top-notch food presentation.
- Company: Join Houston & Hawkes, an award-winning independent caterer in Central London.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, 28 days holiday, and training with renowned chefs.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team that values excellence and professional growth.
- Qualifications: Experience in fine dining or contract catering and a passion for food.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for personal innovation and recognition.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Sous Chef role at Houston & Hawkes.
Location: Central London.
Shift Pattern: Monday-Friday.
Sous Chef Duties:
- To manage the kitchen in the absence of the head chef.
- Setting up the kitchen and ensuring all ingredients are fresh and in date.
- Preparing ingredients, designing seasonal menu items, controlling and directing the food preparation process.
- Ensure the presentation of the food is consistent with the standards set by head chef.
- Focusing on all customers including guests, staff and visitors & meeting dietary and allergen requirements whilst ensuring quality of food and service.
- Demonstrate Personal Development.
Sous Chef Requirements:
- Proven experience in contract catering, 5* hotel or fine dining restaurant.
- A genuine passion for food.
- Industry acumen and knowledge of external catering developments & innovations.
- Ability to work efficiently and competently under pressure.
- Excellent time management and organisational skills.
- High level of self-motivation and not constrained by conventional time keeping.
- NVQ chef qualifications, or equivalent.
- Honesty, transparency and consistency, someone who can gain and hold the respect of others.
- Personal innovation and passion.
- Demonstrative customer focus and service skills.
- Computer literate.
Sous Chef Additional Benefits:
- Free meals at work.
- Contributory pension scheme.
- Free access to the company Employee Assistant Programme.
- Company events including all company Christmas party.
- Uniform provided.
- 28 days holiday including bank holidays.
- Recognition schemes and people awards.
- Family-friendly support, including enhanced maternity and paternity leave and adoption leave.
- Day off on your birthday.
- Referral bonuses.
- Training and development opportunities, including regular masterclasses with renowned chef Sally Abe.
Who We Are:
Houston & Hawkes is a young and dynamic independent caterer based in the South East. We are proud to be an award‑winning company, ranked among the top 30 companies to work for in the hospitality industry, and a certified B Corp company. We believe in creating memorable experiences for our customers through our vibrant, creative, and sustainable food offerings. We operate coffee bars, staff restaurants, and delis, tailored to our clients’ hospitality and event needs. Committed to social responsibility, passionate about Great British produce and dedicated to our talented teams. Join Houston & Hawkes and be part of a team that values excellence, creativity, and professional growth.
Sous Chef employer: Houston & Hawkes
Contact Detail:
Houston & Hawkes Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sous Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the culinary world, whether it's through social media or industry events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Sous Chef role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, create a portfolio of your best dishes or even a video showcasing your cooking techniques. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their kitchen, and we reckon they’ll be impressed!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by researching Houston & Hawkes. Understand their values and what makes them tick. We want to see your passion for food and how you can contribute to their mission of creating memorable experiences.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our dynamic team at Houston & Hawkes.
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When you're writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Share any experiences that highlight your culinary creativity and passion. We want to see how you can bring that enthusiasm to our kitchen.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Sous Chef role. Highlight your relevant experience in contract catering or fine dining, and don’t forget to mention any specific skills that match what we’re looking for. It helps us see why you’d be a great fit!
Be Honest and Transparent: We value honesty and transparency at Houston & Hawkes, so be genuine in your application. If there are areas where you’re still growing, mention them! We appreciate candidates who are open about their development journey.
Apply Through Our Website: To make sure your application gets to us quickly, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure we see your application and can get back to you as soon as possible. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Houston & Hawkes
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the types of ingredients and seasonal produce that Houston & Hawkes uses. Be ready to discuss how you would incorporate these into your menu designs, showcasing your passion for food and creativity.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your previous roles in contract catering or fine dining that highlight your ability to manage a kitchen under pressure. Discuss how you've maintained high standards of food presentation and quality, as this will resonate well with their expectations.
✨Demonstrate Customer Focus
Think about how you can meet dietary and allergen requirements while ensuring customer satisfaction. Be prepared to share instances where you’ve gone above and beyond for guests, showing your commitment to excellent service.
✨Emphasise Personal Development
Houston & Hawkes values personal growth, so be ready to talk about any training or masterclasses you've attended. Highlight your willingness to learn and adapt, especially in a dynamic environment like theirs.
