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 meals, discounts, and 28 days holiday.
- Other info: Great opportunities for personal development and career progression.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic kitchen and make a real impact on our culinary experience.
- 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.
If you want to find out more about us, follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram @thelounges.
Sous Chef - New Opening - Sunderland employer: Lounge Café Bars
Join our vibrant team at one of the UK's most successful restaurant groups, where your passion for real cooking will thrive in a supportive and dynamic environment. With generous benefits like overtime pay, staff discounts, and opportunities for personal development, you'll be part of a culture that values hard work and creativity. Located in Sunderland, this new opening offers a unique chance to grow your career while enjoying a fun and engaging workplace, complete with exciting staff events and a commitment to excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sous Chef - New Opening - Sunderland
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the restaurant group! Research their values and what makes them tick. When you walk into that interview, show them you’re not just another candidate – you’re genuinely excited about joining their team and contributing to their fresh cooking ethos.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your kitchen skills before the interview. You might be asked to demonstrate your cooking techniques or discuss how you handle kitchen challenges. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led a team or tackled a busy service.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or Instagram. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the job. This can give you insider knowledge and make you stand out as a candidate who’s truly interested.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about wanting to be part of our exciting new opening in Sunderland!
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef - New Opening - Sunderland
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 excited about food as we are!
Be Specific About Your Skills:Don’t just list your skills; give us examples! Talk about your experience with food prep, hygiene practices, and leading a team. The more specific you are, the better we can see how you fit into our kitchen culture.
Highlight Your Leadership Experience:As a Sous Chef, you’ll be leading shifts and supporting the Head Chef. Make sure to mention any previous leadership roles or experiences where you’ve motivated a team. We love seeing candidates who can lead from the front!
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, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
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. This shows your passion for real cooking, which is a big deal for the restaurant group.
✨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 in the past. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively and build rapport with your team and other stakeholders.
✨Be Prepared for Practical Questions
Expect questions about health and safety standards, hygiene practices, and how you handle kitchen KPIs. Think of specific scenarios where you had to make decisions under pressure, as this will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
✨Emphasise Your Work Ethic
The restaurant group values a hands-on approach. Be ready to talk about times when you rolled up your sleeves and got stuck in. Show them that you're relentless about maintaining high kitchen standards and that you thrive in a fast-paced environment.
