At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a culinary team at The O2 Arena, ensuring top-notch food quality and service.
- Company: Join Levy UK, a leader in hospitality and event catering.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, healthcare, 23 days' leave, and more perks.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of an innovative team creating unforgettable experiences for guests.
- Qualifications: 5 years' catering experience and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Full-Time / Permanent £44125 + excellent benefits including healthcare, wellbeing support, 23 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, life assurance, meals on duty, and more.
We're looking for a Retail Sous Chef to support the planning and development of recipe specifications across Levy UK Retail within the O2 Arena, while assisting the Retail Head Chef in managing the culinary team and ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality food and service. Maintain Levy standards, comply with food safety and statutory regulations, and promote efficient, economical and sustainable kitchen operations.
Retail Sous Chef - The Role:
- Supervise food preparation, cooking and service, ensuring consistent quality, presentation, portion control and customer choice.
- Maintain high food hygiene standards and ensure all food is prepared, stored and served safely and correctly.
- Manage food costs, purchasing, GP and stock levels, ensuring budgets are achieved and wastage is minimised.
- Support menu planning and food development, focusing on seasonal, sustainable and cost-effective ingredients.
- Manage labour costs and schedules, minimising agency and overtime spend while ensuring staffing meets business demands.
- Implement company promotions, maintain well-stocked retail areas and identify opportunities to drive sales.
- Deliver excellent customer service, responding to requests, providing allergen information and acting on customer feedback.
- Ensure full compliance with Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) policies, completing training, risk assessments and relevant records.
- Support, train, coach and develop kitchen teams, monitoring recruitment, retention and succession planning.
- Maintain Levy UK standards, SOPs and sustainability goals, ensuring all cleaning schedules, stock takes and operational paperwork are completed accurately.
What we're looking for:
- Minimum 5 years' catering experience, ideally within a similar role or fast-paced food service environment.
- Desired catering qualifications (NVQ Level 1 & 2 or City & Guilds 706/1 & 2) and a Basic Food Hygiene Certificate.
- Proven experience leading, managing and developing successful teams, with the ability to coach others and hold them accountable.
- Strong knowledge of food production, preparation methods, purchasing and general kitchen operations.
- Excellent financial and commercial awareness, with the ability to manage costs, drive profitability and achieve business results.
- Strong communication and customer service skills, with the ability to build effective client relationships and deliver exceptional customer experiences.
- Adaptable, self-motivated and innovative, able to lead change, respond to business needs and encourage others to embrace new ideas.
- Strong leadership and decision-making skills, with the confidence to address challenges, identify talent and maintain high standards under pressure.
What you'll get in return:
- Competitive salary with bonus and full company benefits.
- 23 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, your birthday off, and a holiday purchase scheme.
- Healthcare & wellbeing: Aviva Digicare, Medicash (dental, optical, therapy treatments).
- Mental health support: 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- Family benefits: Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave. 2 days additional leave after returning from maternity leave, day off for your baby's first birthday, enhanced family leave.
- Perks & discounts: Shopping, entertainment, and travel discounts, 20% off Nuffield Health and 10% off PureGym memberships.
- Financial wellbeing: Pension scheme, Life Assurance, preferred rates on salary finance products.
- Development opportunities: Professional subscriptions, ongoing training and structured career pathways.
- Meals on duty included.
Why Join Us?
Levy UK & Ireland is part of Compass Group, the world's largest catering company, and a vibrant leader in hospitality. We believe in celebrating individuality and building inclusive teams where everyone feels they belong. Our diverse team fuels creativity, innovation, and excellence. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome candidates from all backgrounds to join us in creating a supportive, empowering workplace where everyone can thrive. Together, we create unforgettable experiences and shape the future of hospitality.
Retail Sous Chef - The O2 Arena employer: Levy Restaurants UK
Levy is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre where creativity and passion for food thrive. With competitive benefits such as healthcare, wellbeing support, and generous annual leave, employees are encouraged to grow and develop their culinary skills while being part of a team that delivers unforgettable dining experiences in a prestigious venue.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Sous Chef - The O2 Arena
✨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 Levy Restaurants UK. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Levy Restaurants UK
Don't be shy about reaching out to Levy Restaurants UK 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 Retail Sous Chef - The O2 Arena
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 Levy Restaurants UK 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 Levy Restaurants UK
✨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!
