At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the kitchen team, ensuring high-quality dishes and smooth operations.
- Company: Join a vibrant hospitality group known for fresh, real cooking.
- 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 - 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. 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 - Southend-on-Sea employer: Lounge Café Bars
Join a vibrant and dynamic team in Southend-on-Sea, where we prioritise real cooking with fresh, high-quality ingredients. As an employer, we offer a supportive work culture that values personal development and career progression, alongside fantastic benefits like overtime pay, generous discounts, and the most talked-about staff party in hospitality. With a focus on teamwork and excellence, you'll thrive in an environment that celebrates your contributions and encourages you to lead from the front.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sous Chef - Southend-on-Sea
✨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 get a feel for the team and the vibe.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Reach out directly to restaurants you admire, even if they’re not advertising a Sous Chef role. A friendly email or call can put you on their radar for future openings.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We love seeing passionate chefs who are eager to join our team. Plus, it’s the best way to stay updated on all our latest opportunities.
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef - Southend-on-Sea
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, managed shifts, or trained new staff. We’re looking for someone who can engage and inspire 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 plunge? 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 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 and motivated your team in previous roles. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively and build rapport with your colleagues.
✨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 the kitchen. This will demonstrate your commitment to upholding the 5* kitchen standards they expect.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about how you'd handle specific kitchen scenarios, like managing stock levels or dealing with a busy service. Think through your responses ahead of time, showcasing your problem-solving skills and ability to make decisions under pressure.
