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.
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 - St Ives Cambridge employer: Lounge Café Bars
At our St Ives Cambridge 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 - St Ives Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get chatting with other chefs and industry folks at events or online. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a great Sous Chef role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills in the kitchen! If you can, arrange a trial shift or a cooking demo. It’s a fantastic way to showcase your talent and passion for real cooking.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on places that align with your values. Check out our website for openings where you can thrive in a fresh, customer-led environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you note or message can keep you top of mind and show your enthusiasm for the role. We love seeing that kind of initiative!
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef - St Ives Cambridge
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, managed shifts, or trained new staff. We’re looking for someone who can engage and inspire others!
Be Detail-Oriented:We’re all about the details, so don’t forget to mention your knowledge of Health & Safety, hygiene practices, and kitchen standards. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you maintain these standards in your work. It’s all about keeping our kitchen running smoothly!
Apply Through Our Website:Ready to take the plunge? Make sure you apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to get your application and for you to show us what you’ve got. We can’t wait to hear from you and hopefully welcome you to our team!
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, so highlight your leadership experience. Prepare examples of how you've motivated your team or handled challenges in the kitchen. This will demonstrate that you're ready to take charge and support the Head Chef effectively.
✨Understand Health & Safety Standards
Familiarise yourself with health and safety regulations relevant to the kitchen environment. Be prepared to discuss how you maintain hygiene and safety standards in your previous roles. This will show that you take these responsibilities seriously and can uphold the 5* kitchen standards they expect.
✨Communicate Like a Pro
Epic communication skills are key! Think about how you've built rapport with team members and stakeholders in the past. Be ready to share specific examples of how you’ve managed relationships in the kitchen, as this will highlight your ability to work well with others and lead effectively.
