Relief Sous Chef - London

Relief Sous Chef - London RELIEF SOUS CHEF Houston & Hawkes | London | 42,000 per annum | 40 hours per week | Monday to Friday Variety, exceptional food and the opportunity to bring your skills to some of our most prestigious Central London client sites. Houston & Hawkes is looking for a talented Relief Sous Chef to join our culinary team, working across a portfolio of premium Central London client sites. This is an exciting opportunity for a confident, adaptable chef who enjoys variety, loves working with different teams and can bring exceptional standards wherever they are needed. One day you may be supporting a vibrant retail service, the next helping deliver an elegant fine dining lunch or high-end hospitality event. You'll work alongside talented chefs across our business, bringing creativity, consistency and a calm, professional approach to every kitchen you support. THE ROLE Provide hands-on culinary support across a portfolio of premium Central London client sites Relief Sous Chefs, Head Chefs and kitchen teams during busy periods, holidays and operational requirements Prepare and deliver exceptional food across both retail and fine dining hospitality Support high-end hospitality, working lunches, events and bespoke client requirements Step confidently into different kitchens and quickly understand each site's food offer, team and priorities Maintain exceptional quality, consistency and presentation wherever you are working Bring creativity and fresh ideas while respecting the individual style and requirements of each site Support menu preparation, ordering, stock control, food cost and waste management where required Work collaboratively with chefs and front-of-house teams to deliver seamless service Support and guide junior chefs, sharing knowledge and maintaining strong kitchen standards Maintain excellent food safety, allergen, hygiene and health and safety standards at all times WHAT YOU'LL BRING A strong background in contract catering, five-star hotels, Michelin-level restaurants or another premium food environment Experience across both retail food and fine dining hospitality is highly desirable A genuine passion for fresh, beautifully prepared food and exceptional presentation The confidence to move between different Central London sites and adapt quickly to new kitchens and teams Strong culinary skills with the ability to maintain consistently high standards Excellent organisation and the ability to work calmly in changing environments A positive, flexible and hands-on approach Strong communication skills and the ability to build relationships quickly A professional approach and genuine pride in the food you produce WHY JOIN HOUSTON & HAWKES? 42,000 per annum 40 hours per week Monday to Friday A varied culinary role across some of our most prestigious Central London client sites The opportunity to experience different food styles, teams and premium operations Birthday off every year Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave Free meals on duty Contributory pension scheme Life assurance Employee Assistance Programme CODE Hospitality membership Foodie Socials bringing our chefs together to explore new flavours, techniques and ideas Ongoing learning, development and genuine career progression Summer Awards Party celebrating our people and achievements An unforgettable Christmas Party at one of London's outstanding venues ABOUT HOUSTON & HAWKES Houston & Hawkes is an award-winning independent caterer creating vibrant, creative and exceptional food and hospitality experiences across some of the UK's most prestigious client sites. We're a Certified B Corp, recipient of the King's Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development 2026 and proud to be ranked No. 14 in The Caterer's Best Places to Work in Hospitality. If you are a talented chef who enjoys variety, loves both retail and fine dining and wants the opportunity to work with exceptional teams across Central London, we would love to hear from you.