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- Tasks: Lead the kitchen, ensuring exceptional food quality and mentoring junior chefs.
- Company: The Candover, a beautiful rural pub with a warm atmosphere.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, unique supplier trips, and a supportive culture.
- Why this job: Step into a key leadership role and shape the kitchen's future.
- Qualifications: Advanced cooking skills and experience in mentoring kitchen staff.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team in a stunning countryside setting.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 42000 £ per year.
Near Basingstoke
Full time
Base salary + Service Charge
Estimated earnings potential of £32k-£42k per annum
Are you a highly experienced and ambitious Chef looking to step into a key leadership role within a beautifully designed rural pub that combines premium cooking with a warm, hearty atmosphere? Do you have a passion for modern British dining, enhanced by the generosity and spirit of Mediterranean hospitality?
About The Candover: The Candover is a relaxed country pub with rooms set in the heart of the Hampshire countryside. With timber and stone floors, limewashed walls, antique furnishings and a cosy bar with open fires, it is the kind of place you wander into after a walk and feel instantly at home. While contemporary, attentive hospitality underpins everything we do, our approach remains simple, traditional and welcoming, offering great beer, fantastic wine and exceptional food cooked over fire and wood. Warmth, professionalism and personality sit at the heart of everything we do. We take inspiration from modern British dining and pair it with the warmth and generosity of Mediterranean hospitality, creating dishes and drinks that feel relaxed, vibrant and full of flavour. Celebrating quality produce and natural flavours, our food is confident but never fussy. Expect flame-grilled meats, seasonal vegetables and lighter plates that bring balance and freshness. Each dish is prepared to be both comforting and contemporary, offering the kind of food you want to eat every day but made with the care and attention that makes it feel special.
About The Role: We are seeking a highly experienced Sous Chef who is ready to operate at near Head Chef level and take the next step in their career. You will bring passion, personality, and ambition to play a key role in shaping the kitchen from day one. This role is ideal for someone who is excited by the opportunity to work directly under an Executive Chef, gaining deep exposure to leadership, menu development and commercial decision-making, with the clear intention of stepping into a Head Chef position as and when the business requires one.
Why Work with Us? The beating heart of The Candover is its staff, which is why we have embedded a fantastic working environment and supportive culture into our foundations. In addition to working amongst beautiful surroundings, we passionately offer clear career development pathways to invest in the development of our team. Alongside, other benefits of working with us can include occasional unique supplier trips, meaningful role‑specific benefits, and a positive and collaborative culture. The Candover is a workplace where growth, wellbeing, and great experiences go hand in hand.
Key Responsibilities:
- Take full responsibility for the day-to-day running of the kitchen during prep and service
- Lead cooking across the kitchen, including fire and wood-led sections
- Maintain exceptional standards of food quality, consistency and presentation
- Contribute creatively while maintaining a strong commercial and operational focus
- Take ownership of stock management, ordering and supplier liaison
- Lead, mentor and develop Sous Chefs, Senior CDPs and junior kitchen team members
- Ensure full compliance with food hygiene, health & safety and legal requirements
- Represent the kitchen in cross-department collaboration when required
What We’re Looking For:
- Confident overseeing the full day‑to‑day running of the kitchen, ensuring smooth, efficient prep and service
- Advanced cooking expertise - skilled across all sections, including fire‑ and wood‑led cooking, with the ability to lead by example
- High‑level standards and consistency maintaining exceptional levels of food quality, flavour and presentation across every service
- Creative yet commercial mindset
- Stock and supplier management
- Proven experience in mentoring and developing Sous Chefs, Senior CDPs, and junior team members, fostering a strong kitchen culture
- Food Safety and compliance expertise
- Strong cross‑department collaboration and communication skills
Tips are pooled and distributed fairly and transparently by our appointed troncmaster in line with the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023. Apply now for the opportunity to work within a professional, supportive environment and build a long-term career in hospitality.
Senior Sous Chef in Hampshire employer: HR Dept (Recruitment Agency)
Contact Detail:
HR Dept (Recruitment Agency) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Sous Chef in Hampshire
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow chefs, industry contacts, or even friends who might know someone at The Candover. A personal connection can make all the difference in landing that interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you get the chance, bring a dish or two to share during your interview. It’s a great way to demonstrate your cooking expertise and passion for modern British dining.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the pub! Familiarise yourself with The Candover's menu and ethos. Being able to discuss how your experience aligns with their approach to food and hospitality will impress the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our fantastic team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Sous Chef in Hampshire
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for modern British dining and Mediterranean hospitality shine through. We want to see how excited you are about the role and what you can bring to our kitchen!
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience, especially in leading kitchens and mentoring team members. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their skills in fire and wood-led cooking, so don’t hold back!
Be Authentic: We value personality just as much as experience. Don’t be afraid to let your unique voice come through in your application. Share your culinary journey and what makes you a great fit for The Candover!
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to review your application and get you one step closer to joining our fantastic team!
How to prepare for a job interview at HR Dept (Recruitment Agency)
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the key ingredients and dishes that The Candover is known for. Be ready to discuss how you would enhance their menu with your own creative flair while maintaining their focus on quality and presentation.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Highlight your mentoring experience and how you've fostered a positive kitchen culture, as this role requires someone who can inspire and develop others.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion
Express your enthusiasm for modern British dining and Mediterranean hospitality during the interview. Share personal stories or experiences that showcase your love for cooking and how it aligns with The Candover's ethos.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect to answer practical questions about kitchen management, stock control, and food safety compliance. Brush up on your knowledge in these areas and be prepared to discuss how you would handle specific scenarios in the kitchen.
