Lead Sous Chef: Own the Kitchen, Drive Quality in Basildon

Lead Sous Chef: Own the Kitchen, Drive Quality in Basildon

Basildon Full-Time 30000 - 40000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Lounge Underwear Ltd.

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the kitchen team, ensuring high-quality food and safety standards.
  • Company: Join a vibrant hospitality group passionate about real cooking.
  • Benefits: Enjoy overtime pay, staff meals, discounts, and 28 days holiday.
  • Other info: Be part of exciting events like Loungefest and enjoy shared tips!
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic kitchen environment with growth opportunities.
  • 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 are probably an existing Sous Chef, or perhaps a Junior Sous Chef/Assistant Kitchen Manager that is looking to take the next step in your career. 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.

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.

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!

Lead Sous Chef: Own the Kitchen, Drive Quality in Basildon employer: Lounge Underwear Ltd.

Join a vibrant kitchen culture where real cooking is celebrated and quality ingredients are at the forefront. As a Lead Sous Chef, you'll not only lead a passionate team but also enjoy fantastic benefits like overtime pay, generous discounts, and opportunities for personal development in a fast-growing business. With a focus on employee well-being and a supportive work environment, this role offers a rewarding career path in a dynamic setting.

Lounge Underwear Ltd.

Contact Details:

Lounge Underwear Ltd. Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Sous Chef: Own the Kitchen, Drive Quality in Basildon

Tip Number 1

Get to know the kitchen team before your interview! Pop in for a chat or even a trial shift if you can. It shows you're keen and helps you understand the vibe of the place.

Tip Number 2

Show off your passion for fresh ingredients during the interview. Share your favourite dishes and how you source quality produce. We love hearing about real cooking!

Tip Number 3

Be ready to discuss your experience with KPIs and how you've managed kitchen operations in the past. We want to see that you're not just a great cook, but also a savvy leader.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to get noticed and shows you’re serious about joining our team. Plus, we love seeing those applications come in directly!

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Sous Chef: Own the Kitchen, Drive Quality in Basildon

Leadership Skills
Kitchen Management
Health & Safety Compliance
Hygiene Standards
Food Preparation Skills
Knife Skills
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Real Cooking:Let us know how much you love real cooking! Share your experiences with fresh ingredients and how you've led a kitchen team in the past. We want to see that you're as passionate about quality food as we are.

Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Lead Sous Chef, you'll be leading shifts and engaging the kitchen team. Make sure to showcase any previous leadership roles or experiences where you've motivated others to deliver great results. We love a hands-on approach!

Be Detail-Oriented:We're all about the details, from hygiene practices to food safety. In your application, mention specific examples of how you've maintained high standards in the kitchen. Show us you're relentless about getting it right!

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 your progress. Plus, it shows you're keen to join our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Lounge Underwear Ltd.

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 company.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Lead Sous Chef, you'll be leading a team, so highlight your leadership experience. Share specific examples of how you've motivated your kitchen team or handled challenges during busy shifts. This will demonstrate that you're ready to take charge and drive quality.

Be Prepared for Practical Questions

Expect questions about health and safety standards, hygiene practices, and kitchen management. Prepare to discuss how you maintain these standards in your current role. This will show that you’re detail-oriented and serious about upholding high kitchen standards.

Communicate Like a Pro

Epic communication skills are key! Think about how you’ve built rapport with colleagues and managed stakeholders in the past. Be ready to share examples of how you’ve effectively communicated in a kitchen environment, especially under pressure.