At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the kitchen team, ensuring high-quality food and safety standards.
- Company: Join a vibrant hospitality group known for fresh, real cooking.
- Benefits: Enjoy overtime pay, staff meals, discounts, and 28 days holiday.
- Other info: Be part of exciting events like Loungefest and share tips equally!
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic kitchen environment with growth opportunities.
- 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.
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 - New Milton employer: Lounge Café Bars
Join a vibrant and passionate team at our New Milton location, where we prioritise real cooking with fresh, high-quality ingredients. As a Sous Chef, you'll enjoy a supportive work culture that values your contributions, offers competitive benefits like overtime pay, generous discounts, and opportunities for personal development and career progression. With a focus on teamwork and excellence, you'll thrive in an environment that celebrates culinary creativity and fosters growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sous Chef - New Milton
✨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 of the place.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for fresh ingredients and real cooking during your interview. Share stories about your favourite dishes and how you’ve tackled challenges in the kitchen. We love hearing about your experiences!
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss how you handle kitchen safety and hygiene. We’re all about maintaining those 5* standards, so come prepared with examples of how you've ensured a safe and clean working environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! Show us you’re keen by asking about the team dynamics, training opportunities, and how we celebrate success. It’s a two-way street, and we want to make sure it’s a good fit for both of us.
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef - New Milton
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:Ready to take the next step? Make sure to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to get your application and for you to learn more about what we do. 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 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.
✨Be Prepared for Practical Questions
Expect questions about Health & Safety, hygiene practices, and kitchen standards. Think of specific scenarios where you upheld these standards or improved processes. This will show that you’re detail-oriented and serious about maintaining a 5-star kitchen.
✨Communicate Like a Pro
Epic communication skills are key! Practice how you would explain your ideas or decisions to the team. Be ready to discuss how you build rapport with colleagues and manage stakeholders, as this is crucial for a smooth-running kitchen.
