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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 teams.
- Other info: Join a collaborative environment focused on growth and wellbeing.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 42000 £ per year.
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
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
Contact Detail:
HR Dept Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Sous Chef in Hampshire
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before your interview, check out The Candover's vibe and values. Engage with their social media or even pop in for a drink. This way, you can show genuine interest and connect with the atmosphere they’ve created.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! During the interview, be ready to discuss your cooking techniques and how you handle kitchen challenges. Bring examples of dishes you've created that align with their modern British and Mediterranean style to really impress them.
✨Tip Number 3
Ask questions that matter! Inquire about their approach to menu development and team culture. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you. Remember, it’s a two-way street!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining The Candover family. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to step up in your culinary career!
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 love for modern British dining and Mediterranean hospitality shine through. We want to see your enthusiasm for food and how it connects with the warm atmosphere we create at The Candover.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in leading kitchens and mentoring team members. We’re looking for someone who can step into a key leadership role, so showcase your skills in a way that aligns with our values and the responsibilities of the Senior Sous Chef position.
Be Authentic: We value personality just as much as skill. Don’t be afraid to let your unique voice come through in your application. Share your culinary journey and what makes you excited about this opportunity at The Candover.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of joining our team, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to review your application and get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at HR Dept
✨Know Your Ingredients
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of seasonal ingredients and how they can be used in modern British and Mediterranean dishes. Be ready to discuss your favourite ingredients and how you would incorporate them into the menu at The Candover.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Sous Chef, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and mentor a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed kitchen staff in the past, highlighting any specific challenges you overcame and the positive outcomes that resulted.
✨Emphasise Your Creativity
The Candover values creativity in its kitchen. Think about unique dish ideas or menu concepts you could bring to the table. During the interview, share your thoughts on how you can contribute to the restaurant's vision while maintaining a commercial focus.
✨Understand the Culture
Familiarise yourself with The Candover's ethos of warmth and hospitality. Be prepared to discuss how you can embody this culture in your role. Share personal anecdotes that reflect your passion for creating a welcoming atmosphere in the kitchen.
