At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the kitchen team, ensuring high-quality food and safety standards.
- Company: Join a vibrant hospitality group known for real cooking and fresh ingredients.
- Benefits: Enjoy overtime pay, staff meals, discounts, and 28 days holiday.
- Other info: Great opportunities for personal development and fun staff events.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate 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 - 35000 £ 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.
Sous Chef - Bicester employer: Lounge Café Bars
At our Bicester location, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and supportive work culture that celebrates real cooking with fresh, high-quality ingredients. As a Sous Chef, you'll enjoy competitive benefits including overtime pay, generous staff discounts, and opportunities for personal development in a fast-growing business, all while being part of a team that values excellence and camaraderie. Join us for an exciting career where your passion for food and leadership can truly shine.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sous Chef - Bicester
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the kitchen team before your interview! If you can, pop in for a casual chat or even a trial shift. This shows you're genuinely interested and gives you a feel for the vibe.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for fresh ingredients during the interview. Share your favourite dishes and how you source quality produce. We love real cooking, so let that shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with KPIs and how you've managed kitchen operations. We want to see that you're not just a great cook but also a savvy leader who can keep things running smoothly.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions about the team culture and growth opportunities. It shows you're serious about joining us and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you. Apply through our website to get started!
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef - Bicester
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 kitchen team. 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 any leadership experience you have. 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:We encourage you to apply directly 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 at StudySmarter!
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 shows your passion for real cooking, which is a big deal for the company.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Sous Chef, you'll be leading the kitchen team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed shifts or trained new staff. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively and build rapport with your team, as this is crucial for maintaining high standards.
✨Be Prepared for Practical Questions
Expect questions about Health & Safety, hygiene practices, and how you handle kitchen KPIs. Think of specific scenarios where you had to make decisions under pressure, as this will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and commitment to safety.
✨Emphasise Your Work Ethic
The company values a hands-on approach, so be ready to talk about times when you rolled up your sleeves and got stuck in. Share stories that reflect your relentless drive and dedication to maintaining 5* kitchen standards, as this aligns perfectly with their ethos.
