At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the kitchen team, ensuring high-quality food and safety standards.
- Company: Join a vibrant hospitality group passionate about real cooking.
- Benefits: Enjoy overtime pay, staff meals, discounts, and 28 days holiday.
- Other info: Great opportunities for personal development and exciting staff events.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team and elevate your culinary career.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Sous Chef or Junior Sous Chef with strong kitchen skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
You love real cooking. We love real cooking. Customers love real cooking. It's a no-brainer so you wonder why so many other places don't do it. We do it, and you'll be doing it with us - fresh, customer led, and with high-quality ingredients. As Sous Chef, you'll be the Head Chef's go-to for support, leading and engaging the kitchen team to deliver 14 great shifts week in, week out. You'll be leading shifts, making sure the kitchen runs effectively and safely. You're as relentless as us about the detail, so you'll be all over things like stocks, Health & Safety and Hygiene, manning the pass to ensure our food goes out on-spec and on-time, and always upholding 5* kitchen standards. You'll be on it. Like a chef's bonnet.
The Good Stuff
- Overtime pay for every hour worked over contracted hours!
- Staff food on every shift
- 50% off food and drinks (including alcohol) from day one at all three of our brands - Lounge, Cosy Club and Brightside
- Paid breaks
- 28 days holiday (inclusive of Bank Holidays) pro rata
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay after 2 years service
- The most talked-about staff party in hospitality - Loungefest!
- Competitions and incentives (like jetting off on an all expenses paid trip with one of our suppliers)
- Company pension scheme
- Long service awards
- Power over your pay with Wagestream
- Emotional and practical support via the Licenced Trade Charity
- Great opportunity for personal development and career progression in a fast growing business
- Achievable bonuses
- Tips shared equally across the team, based on hours worked
- Christmas and Boxing Day off!
What you'll bring
- You are probably an existing Sous Chef, or perhaps a Junior Sous Chef/Assistant Kitchen Manager that is looking to take the next step in their career.
- You will have experience of working with fresh ingredients and be able to demonstrate good chef/kitchen skills (food prep hot and cold, cleaning, knife skills, good hygiene practices).
- Your work ethic is rolling your sleeves up and getting stuck in and leading from the front; playing an active role in delivering excellent kitchen and food standards as part of a high performing team.
- Extremely driven and relentless at deconstructing the can't mentality.
- Familiar with KPIs and making decisions in the absence of the Head Chef considering labour; stock; food safety requirements plus others.
- Epic communication skills with the ability to manage stakeholders and build rapport and trust (that would be with our Ops Chefs and Ops Managers).
- Strong knowledge of best practice around rota scheduling, sales and labour forecasts, reporting, recruitment, HR etc.
- You will have demonstrated successful delivery of training and recruitment for kitchen teams including Apprentices, KPs, Chefs, Junior Sous Chefs and Sous Chefs.
If you want to find out more about us, follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram @thelounges.
Locations
Sous Chef - Basildon employer: Lounge Café Bars
Join a vibrant and dynamic kitchen team in Basildon, where your passion for real cooking is celebrated and rewarded. With a strong focus on employee well-being, we offer generous benefits including overtime pay, staff meals, and a supportive work culture that prioritises personal development and career progression. Experience the excitement of our renowned staff parties and enjoy a workplace that values your contributions while providing opportunities for growth in a fast-growing business.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sous Chef - Basildon
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the kitchen vibe! Before your interview, pop by the restaurant if you can. Check out how the team works together and the energy in the place. It’ll help you understand their culture and give you some great talking points during your chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Bring a portfolio of your best dishes or even a video of you in action. This is your chance to demonstrate your passion for real cooking and how you lead a kitchen team. We love seeing creativity and flair!
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to chat about KPIs and kitchen management. Brush up on your knowledge of stock control, food safety, and team training. We want to see that you’re not just a great cook but also a savvy leader who can keep everything running smoothly.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to get noticed and shows you’re serious about joining our team. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef - Basildon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking:When you're writing your application, let your love for real cooking shine through! Share your experiences with fresh ingredients and how you’ve contributed to a high-quality kitchen environment. We want to see that you’re as passionate about food as we are!
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Sous Chef, you'll be leading the kitchen team, so make sure to showcase your leadership experience in your application. Talk about times you've supported your team or taken charge during busy shifts. We’re looking for someone who can engage and motivate others!
Be Detail-Oriented:We’re all about the details, from hygiene practices to food safety. In your application, mention specific examples of how you maintain high standards in the kitchen. This will show us that you’re relentless about upholding our 5* kitchen standards!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lounge Café Bars
✨Know Your Ingredients
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of fresh ingredients and cooking techniques. Be ready to discuss your experience with various dishes and how you ensure quality in every plate. This will show your passion for real cooking, which is something we value highly.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Sous Chef, you'll be leading the kitchen team, so it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership abilities during the interview. Share examples of how you've motivated your team, handled conflicts, or improved kitchen efficiency. We want to see that you're not just a great cook but also a great leader.
✨Be Prepared for Practical Questions
Expect questions about Health & Safety, hygiene practices, and how you manage kitchen operations. Prepare specific scenarios where you've successfully upheld these standards. This will help us see that you're detail-oriented and committed to maintaining our 5* kitchen standards.
✨Communicate Effectively
Strong communication skills are key in a busy kitchen environment. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Be ready to discuss how you build rapport with team members and manage stakeholders, as this is essential for success in our fast-paced setting.
