Sous Chef - Retail & Hospitality in Southampton

Sous Chef - Retail & Hospitality in Southampton

Southampton Full-Time 24000 - 30000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Lounge Café Bars

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the kitchen team, ensuring high-quality food and safety standards.
  • Company: Join a vibrant hospitality group with a passion for fresh cooking.
  • Benefits: Enjoy staff meals, discounts, paid breaks, and 28 days holiday.
  • Other info: Great opportunities for career progression and team bonuses.
  • Why this job: Take your culinary skills to the next level in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience as a Sous Chef or Junior Sous Chef with strong kitchen skills.

The predicted salary is between 24000 - 30000 £ per year.

You love real cooking. 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.

  • 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!
  • Company pension scheme
  • Long service awards
  • 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

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) playing an active role in delivering excellent kitchen and food standards as part of a high performing team. Familiar with KPIs and making decisions in the absence of the Head Chef considering labour; food safety requirements plus others. 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 - Retail & Hospitality in Southampton employer: Lounge Café Bars

Join a vibrant and dynamic team in Southampton where your passion for real cooking meets a supportive work culture. As a Sous Chef, you'll enjoy competitive benefits including overtime pay, generous discounts, and opportunities for personal development within a fast-growing business. With a focus on high-quality ingredients and a commitment to excellence, this role offers a rewarding environment for culinary professionals looking to advance their careers.

Lounge Café Bars

Contact Details:

Lounge Café Bars Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Sous Chef - Retail & Hospitality in Southampton

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Chat with fellow chefs, attend industry events, and connect with people 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 fit for the team.

Tip Number 3

Be ready to chat about your experience! Prepare some stories that highlight your leadership skills and how you've tackled challenges in the kitchen. This will help you stand out during interviews.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are keen to join us directly.

We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef - Retail & Hospitality in Southampton

Leadership Skills
Kitchen Management
Food Preparation
Health & Safety Compliance
Hygiene Standards
Knife Skills
Training and Development

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Cooking:Let us know how much you love real cooking! Share your experiences with fresh ingredients and highlight any unique dishes you've created. We want to see your enthusiasm shine through in your application.

Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Sous Chef, you'll be leading the kitchen team, so make sure to showcase your leadership experience. 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 Health & Safety to hygiene standards. In your application, mention how you ensure these standards are met in your kitchen. Show us that you’re as relentless as we are when it comes to maintaining 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 receive your application and get to know you better. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!

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 favourite dishes and how you would prepare them, as well as any unique twists you might add. This shows your passion for real cooking and aligns with the company's focus on high-quality ingredients.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Sous Chef, you'll be leading a team, so it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership abilities during the interview. Share examples of how you've successfully managed shifts, trained new staff, or resolved conflicts in the kitchen. This will highlight your capability to support the Head Chef and engage the kitchen team effectively.

Be Prepared for Health & Safety Questions

Since the role involves upholding 5* kitchen standards, expect questions about Health & Safety and Hygiene practices. Familiarise yourself with relevant regulations and be ready to discuss how you've implemented these in previous roles. This will show that you're detail-oriented and serious about maintaining a safe kitchen environment.

Understand the Business Side

Get a grasp on KPIs, rota scheduling, and labour forecasts, as these are key aspects of the role. Be prepared to discuss how you've made decisions based on these factors in past positions. This will demonstrate your understanding of the operational side of running a kitchen and your readiness to take on more responsibility.