At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the kitchen team, ensuring high-quality food and safety standards.
- Company: Join a vibrant hospitality brand passionate about real cooking.
- Benefits: Enjoy overtime pay, staff discounts, paid breaks, and 28 days holiday.
- Other info: Be part of exciting events like Loungefest and enjoy shared tips!
- 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 - 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.
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 an employer, we offer a supportive work culture that values personal development, competitive benefits like overtime pay, generous discounts, and a unique staff party experience. With opportunities for career progression and a commitment to employee well-being, you'll thrive in an environment that celebrates culinary excellence and teamwork.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sous Chef - New Milton
✨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 great Sous Chef position!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills in the kitchen! If you get the chance, offer to do 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; apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team. Plus, it shows you’re keen on being part of our fresh, customer-led approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of health and safety standards, kitchen KPIs, and team management. Being well-prepared will help you stand out as the perfect fit for our high-performing kitchen team!
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef - New Milton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking:We want to see your love for real cooking shine through in your application. Share your experiences with fresh ingredients and how you’ve led a kitchen team in the past. Let us know why you’re as relentless about quality as we are!
Be Specific About Your Skills:When listing your skills, be specific! Mention your expertise in food prep, hygiene practices, and any relevant kitchen management experience. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so highlight what makes you a great fit.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor it to us by referencing our values and what we do. Show that you understand our commitment to high-quality ingredients and customer-led cooking. It’ll make your application stand out!
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 ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come through our own channels!
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 something we value highly.
✨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 junior staff. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively and build rapport with your team, as this is crucial for us.
✨Understand Health & Safety Standards
Familiarise yourself with health and safety regulations, as well as hygiene practices. Be prepared to discuss how you maintain these standards in a busy kitchen environment. We want to see that you're as relentless about detail as we are!
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations, like managing stock levels or handling a busy service. Think through your decision-making process and how you would uphold our 5* kitchen standards under pressure. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and readiness for the role.
