At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the kitchen team, ensuring high-quality food and safety standards.
- Company: Join a vibrant hospitality brand 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 exciting 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 - Letchworth Garden City employer: Lounge Café Bars
Join a vibrant and passionate team at our Letchworth Garden City location, where we prioritise real cooking with fresh, high-quality ingredients. As an employer, we offer a supportive work culture that values personal development, competitive benefits like overtime pay, generous staff discounts, and a unique opportunity to participate in exciting events like Loungefest. With a focus on career progression and a commitment to maintaining 5-star kitchen standards, we ensure that every member of our team feels valued and empowered to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sous Chef - Letchworth Garden City
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Chat with fellow chefs, attend culinary events, and connect with industry folks on social media. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a Sous Chef position!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills in the kitchen! If you can, offer to do a trial shift or a cooking demo. It’s a great way to showcase your talent and passion for real cooking, just like we do!
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings; reach out directly to restaurants you admire. A friendly email or call can make a big difference and show your enthusiasm for joining their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing applications from passionate chefs who are ready to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in. Plus, it’s the best way to stay updated on all our openings!
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef - Letchworth Garden City
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, so don’t forget to mention your knowledge of Health & Safety, Hygiene, and kitchen standards. Include specific examples of how you’ve maintained these standards in your previous roles. It’s all about keeping our kitchen running smoothly!
Apply Through Our Website:Ready to join us? Make sure to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed! We love seeing applications that come directly from our site, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to be part of our amazing 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 what they value.
✨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 motivate others and maintain high standards, as this will resonate well with their expectations.
✨Understand Health & Safety Standards
Familiarise yourself with health and safety regulations relevant to the kitchen environment. Be prepared to discuss how you uphold hygiene practices and manage food safety. This demonstrates your commitment to maintaining a 5-star kitchen standard.
✨Communicate Effectively
Epic communication skills are a must! Think about how you can build rapport with your team and other stakeholders. During the interview, practice clear and confident communication to show that you can manage relationships effectively in a busy kitchen.