At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the kitchen team, ensuring high-quality food and safety standards.
- Company: Join a successful restaurant group with a passion for real cooking.
- Benefits: Enjoy overtime pay, staff discounts, paid breaks, and 28 days holiday.
- Other info: Exciting staff parties, competitions, and a supportive work culture.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic kitchen environment with opportunities for growth.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Sous Chef or Junior Sous Chef with strong kitchen skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
This is an exciting opportunity to join our new opening and become part of one of the most successful restaurant groups in the UK.
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.
Sous Chef - New Opening - Welwyn Garden City employer: Lounge Café Bars
Join our vibrant team in Welwyn Garden City as a Sous Chef and be part of one of the UK's most successful restaurant groups, where real cooking is at the heart of what we do. Enjoy a supportive work culture that values your contributions with benefits like overtime pay, generous staff discounts, and opportunities for personal development and career progression. With a focus on high-quality ingredients and a commitment to excellence, you'll thrive in an environment that celebrates culinary passion and teamwork.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sous Chef - New Opening - Welwyn Garden City
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend local culinary events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the lookout for a Sous Chef role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, create a portfolio of your best dishes or even a short video showcasing your cooking techniques. This can really set you apart from other candidates and give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their kitchen.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to restaurants you admire, especially if they’re known for real cooking. A friendly email expressing your interest can go a long way in landing an interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing passionate chefs who are eager to join our team. Make sure to highlight your experience with fresh ingredients and your commitment to high standards in your application. Let’s cook up something great together!
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef - New Opening - Welwyn 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 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 your leadership experience in your application. Talk about times you've supported your team or taken charge during busy shifts. We need someone who can rally the troops!
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 quality, just like we are!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply 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. 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 restaurant.
✨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 Health & Safety Questions
Since maintaining high standards of hygiene and safety is crucial, expect questions about your knowledge of health regulations. Brush up on best practices and be ready to share how you've implemented these in your previous roles.
✨Communicate Like a Pro
Epic communication skills are key in this role. Think of examples where you've successfully managed relationships with colleagues or stakeholders. Being able to build rapport and trust will set you apart as a candidate who can thrive in a busy kitchen environment.