At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Head Chef in creating delicious, nutritious dishes and managing kitchen operations.
- Company: Join KYN, a new care home company focused on personalised resident care.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, 28 days leave, free meals, and ongoing training.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in residents' lives through exceptional culinary experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in a 4-5 star venue and a passion for high kitchen standards.
The predicted salary is between 19.53 - 19.53 £ per hour.
Salary and Contract: £19.53 per hour, 40 hours per week – Permanent contract.
Location: KYN Bickley, Bickley Park Rd, Bromley BR1 2AZ.
About KYN: KYN is a brand‑new care home company focused on an elevated approach to care: individualized journeys built around the needs and interests of our residents in beautiful surroundings with life‑enriching practices. Our first home, KYN BICKLEY, opened in February 2023. It is an 86‑bedroom home offering elegant and comfortable bedrooms, communal dining and reclining areas, and inviting outdoor terraces overlooking landscaped gardens bordered by woodland. We have three further care homes in development in London.
About The Opportunity: As a Sous Chef, you will be responsible for:
- Supporting the Head Chef in the day‑to‑day running of the kitchen and delivering consistent, high‑quality, delicious and nutritious dishes for residents and their families.
- Supporting the Life Enriching Activity Lead/Co‑ordinators in implementing a whole‑home approach to provision of meaningful occupation for all residents, taking a proactive attitude towards engagement of all residents at all times.
- Taking full responsibility of the kitchen in the absence of the Head Chef and maintaining the high standards set.
- Ensuring all dishes are prepared and presented in line with KYN's exceptional standards.
- Maintaining high standards of cleanliness and best practices at all times.
- Driving consistency of our food offering and ensuring menus are delivered to agreed specification.
- Being organized and attentive to detail to deliver seamless service.
- Ensuring the team adheres to all kitchen service standards in every task.
- Monitoring health and safety, compliance and procedures to maintain standards in both kitchen and dining teams.
- Supporting teams in understanding the menu and ingredients so they can articulate this to residents, families and guests.
- Exceeding expectations and consistency in every role or task undertaken.
- Building relationships with residents and fully understanding their needs.
- Managing and overseeing stock in the kitchen, monitoring and auditing to guarantee availability.
- Investigating discrepancies, seeking resolution, and implementing preventative measures.
- Ensuring stock is stored, rotated, and temperature‑checked in accordance with policies and regulations, reporting any variances.
- Purchasing stock in accordance with purchasing policies and procedures.
- Minimizing wastage through stock rotation and portion controls.
- Understanding budgeted and actual departmental targets including sales, covers, gross profits (food), stocks, average spends and departmental profits.
- Controlling and monitoring payroll costs by allocating labour resources in line with forecasted and actual business levels, using productivity ratios and payroll management.
- Possessing knowledge of health and safety and food safety within a kitchen.
- Coaching team members in these standards and supporting them in maintaining robust food safety management.
- Ensuring thorough audits are undertaken and actions addressed efficiently.
- Ensuring the team is always trained, adheres to cleaning schedules and standards.
- Ensuring up‑to‑date risk assessments and standard operating procedures are in place for all food and beverage tasks.
- Keeping resident dietary data accurate, up‑to‑date, secure and confidential.
- Respecting residents' privacy; ensuring confidentiality is never breached.
- Building a strong team dedicated to delivering KYN's mission and vision.
- Building personal and professional relationships with every team member.
- Acting as a role model in work ethic, service quality and professional skills.
- Actively coaching, training and developing the team.
- Building relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
- Creating a team environment that promotes good morale and high commitment and pride.
About You: Experience working within a 4‑5‑star hospitality venue. Professional with a proven track record of delivering and maintaining kitchen standards at the highest level while keeping a safe, clean and compliant environment. Strong communication and influencing skills, approachable manner, and keen eye for detail. Passionate and able to drive standards that meet and exceed expectations to elevate residents' lives. Trustworthy, caring, adaptable, friendly, patient and continuously striving for excellence.
Our Commitment To You: Competitive salary and benefits. 28 days annual leave including bank holidays. Complimentary meals, hot drinks and snacks during shift. Bespoke company induction and ongoing training programmes at all levels. Access to best‑in‑class equipment and technology. Custom‑made uniforms provided. Employee assistance programme and other wellbeing benefits. Discount schemes. Company contributory pension scheme and life insurance. And much more.
To find out more about KYN, our teams and values please visit www.kyn.co.uk/careers. KYN is an equal opportunities employer. To be considered for this role you will have to provide proof of right to work in the UK and consent to an enhanced DBS check.
Sous Chef employer: KYN
KYN Bickley is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and growth of its staff, offering a competitive salary and a range of benefits including 28 days of annual leave, complimentary meals, and ongoing training programmes. With a commitment to creating a supportive work culture, KYN fosters personal and professional development while providing a beautiful environment for both employees and residents, making it a rewarding place to build a career in care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 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 KYN. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to KYN
Don't be shy about reaching out to KYN 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 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 KYN 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 KYN
✨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!