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 - Welwyn Garden City employer: Lounge Café Bars
Join our vibrant team as a Sous Chef in Welwyn Garden City, where we prioritise real cooking with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Enjoy a supportive work culture that values your contributions, offers generous benefits like overtime pay, staff discounts, and opportunities for personal development, all while being part of one of the UK's most successful restaurant groups. With a focus on career progression and a fun, engaging environment, this is an excellent opportunity for passionate chefs looking to make their mark.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sous Chef - New Opening - Welwyn Garden City
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the restaurant group! Research their values and what makes them tick. When you walk into that interview, show us you’re not just another candidate but someone who genuinely connects with our passion for real cooking.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your kitchen skills before the big day! We want to see you in action, so be ready to demonstrate your culinary prowess. Whether it’s food prep or plating, show us you can handle the heat!
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or Instagram. Ask them about their experiences and get insider tips. This could give you an edge and show us you’re serious about joining our team.
✨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 take the initiative to engage directly with us.
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 mention any previous leadership roles or experiences. Talk about how you've engaged and motivated your team in past positions. We’re looking for someone who can lead from the front!
Be Detail-Oriented:We’re all about the details, so don’t forget to mention your knowledge of health and safety standards, hygiene practices, and kitchen operations. Show us that you’re relentless about maintaining high standards in everything you do!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to get your application and for you to stay updated on the process. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team right from the start!
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 prepare them. This shows your passion for real cooking, which is something the restaurant group values 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 in the past. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively and build rapport with your team, as this will be crucial in your role.
✨Understand Health & Safety Standards
Familiarise yourself with the latest health and safety regulations in the kitchen. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure hygiene and safety standards are upheld in your current or previous roles. This will demonstrate your commitment to maintaining a 5-star kitchen environment.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills, especially in high-pressure situations. Think about times when you've had to make quick decisions regarding stock management or food safety. Showing that you can think on your feet will impress the interviewers.