At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Head Chef in delivering exceptional culinary experiences for events and private dining.
- Company: Join a vibrant culinary team at Co-op Live, focused on premium hospitality.
- Benefits: Enjoy private medical insurance, generous holiday allowance, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to innovate and grow within a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative kitchen environment where your culinary skills can shine.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Sous Chef or in a similar role, with strong culinary and leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
In this role you will support the Head Chef in managing all aspects of culinary operations, with a particular focus on Conferences & Events, private dining, and premium hospitality experiences. The Sous Chef will play a key role in planning, preparing, and delivering bespoke culinary experiences for corporate events, private functions, client tastings, and special occasions. Working closely with the Head Chef and wider operational teams, the role will help ensure that every event is delivered to the highest culinary standards, combining creativity, consistency, and exceptional guest experience. Alongside supporting day-to-day kitchen operations, the Sous Chef will contribute to menu development, tasting sessions, and event planning activities while continuing to support matchdays, concerts, and major venue events as required. In the Head Chef's absence, the Sous Chef acts as the primary culinary leader, maintaining continuity and excellence across all kitchen operations.
Day to Day Key Responsibilities
- Kitchen Operations & Service: Support the Head Chef in leading day-to-day kitchen operations, ensuring exceptional food quality, consistency, and service across conferences, events, private dining, premium hospitality, and major venue events.
- Team Leadership & Development: Lead, coach, and develop the kitchen team, creating a positive, high-performing environment while supporting recruitment, onboarding, training, and performance.
- Food Quality & Innovation: Maintain the highest culinary standards through quality control, menu execution, and the development of seasonal dishes, event menus, and premium hospitality experiences.
- Conferences, Events & Matchdays: Play a key role in delivering outstanding culinary experiences across conferences, corporate events, private dining, matchdays, concerts, and large-scale venue operations.
- Operational Excellence: Support stock management, food cost control, ordering, waste reduction, and kitchen efficiency while ensuring the team is prepared for every service.
- Food Safety & Compliance: Champion food safety, HACCP, health & safety, and hygiene standards, ensuring compliance across all kitchen operations.
- Collaboration & Continuous Improvement: Work closely with the Head Chef, Operations, Sales, and Front of House teams to deliver exceptional guest experiences and continuously improve the culinary offering.
Qualifications & Skills
Essential
- Previous experience as a Sous Chef or in a similar leadership role within premium hospitality, conferences & events, hotels, restaurants, banqueting or large-scale venues.
- Strong culinary skills with experience delivering high-quality food in fast-paced, high-volume environments.
- Experience leading, coaching and developing kitchen teams.
- Good understanding of food safety, HACCP, allergen management and health & safety standards.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and services.
- Experience with stock control, ordering, waste management and food cost control.
- A collaborative approach with excellent communication skills and a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences.
- Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate (or equivalent).
Desirable
- Experience working within stadiums, arenas, hotels or destination hospitality venues.
- Experience delivering conferences, private dining, banqueting or corporate hospitality events.
- NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Professional Cookery (or equivalent).
- Advanced Food Hygiene qualification.
- A passion for menu development, food innovation and creating memorable dining experiences.
Benefits
- Private Medical Insurance (Vitality) - including Virtual GP access and rewards
- Group Life Assurance - 4x salary paid to your nominated beneficiary
- Birthday Day Off - an extra day to celebrate
- Complimentary Meals on Shift - breakfast, lunch, fruit and hot drinks
- Employee Assistance Programme & Wellbeing Platform - including counselling support
- Employee Discounts Platform (Blackhawk) - cashback and savings across major retailers
- Company Pension Scheme
- Generous Holiday Allowance - plus bank holidays
- Career Development Opportunities - with progression across the campus
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land C&E Sous Chef
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Job Search Place Limited. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Job Search Place Limited
Don't be shy about reaching out to Job Search Place Limited directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace C&E Sous Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Job Search Place Limited and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Job Search Place Limited
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
