At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the culinary team, manage kitchen operations, and create innovative menu ideas.
- Company: Rockliffe Hall, a luxury resort blending heritage and modern hospitality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, private medical insurance, enhanced annual leave, and staff discounts.
- Other info: Work in a stunning countryside setting with exceptional facilities and career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a prestigious team and make your mark in a transformative culinary environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in kitchen management and a passion for culinary excellence.
The predicted salary is between 38000 - 40552 £ per year.
Location: Rockliffe Hall, Darlington
Salary: £38,000 to £40,552.20 per annum
Hours: Full time – 45 hours per week, including weekends
Reporting to: Head Chef, General Manager and Managing Director
Responsible for: Sous Chef and Kitchen Team
Job Purpose: We’re looking for an experienced Senior Sous Chef to deputise for the Head Chef in their absence for the management of the kitchen operation, ensuring our company standards are maintained at all times.
Key responsibilities of the Senior Sous Chef role:
- Achieve gross profit targets set within the kitchen, through stock takes, portion control, product costing and wastage measures.
- Liaise with recommended suppliers as required to ensure a good food product and price.
- Monitor the quality of goods delivered and ensure correct stock rotation is adhered to, and the correct procedures are followed.
- Write the department rota ensuring manning levels are consistent with business levels and within budgetary constraints.
- Manage team member sickness and holiday entitlement to ensure minimum disruption to guest service.
- Train and develop the kitchen team, including scheduling attendance to statutory training as required.
- Conduct regular job chats and annual appraisals, ensuring objectives are set for all Kitchen team members.
- Interact and work well with the Front of House supervisors and other members of the management team.
- Work as a team and communicate effectively at all levels.
- Manage performance of Kitchen team members by adhering to company procedures.
- Display a positive “can do attitude” to Senior Managers, team members and the Front of House team.
- Represent the Kitchen team at daily and weekly meetings as necessary.
- Accountability for the food P & L profitability, for the safe running of all kitchen areas and ensuring Health & Safety guidelines are adhered to as per the hotel and company standards.
- Develop new menu ideas and implement them with descriptions and recipes.
- Deliver cook offs, training and information specification sheets for new menu items for the Kitchen and Front of House team.
- Maintain the quality and presentation of all food served to ensure that it is up to Rockliffe standard.
- Plan and place orders to selected food suppliers on a daily and weekly basis to ensure stock availability.
- Meet deadlines and work calmly under pressure and willingly undertake any tasks when requested by senior management.
- Take part in the recruitment and selection process of new team members when appropriate, ensuring they receive an in-depth departmental induction.
About Us: Set within a 375-acre estate on the banks of the River Tees, Rockliffe Hall is a five-star resort that blends heritage, luxury and natural beauty. Located in the quiet village of Hurworth, in the heart of the Tees Valley and close to the borders of County Durham and North Yorkshire, it offers a peaceful countryside setting with exceptional facilities. Surrounded by sweeping views and beautifully kept gardens, the resort features elegant bedrooms and a sense of quiet luxury, shaped by a warm northern spirit. Guests can enjoy an award-winning spa, play on the longest golf course in the UK and experience both elevated and relaxed dining offerings, all within a restored eighteenth century estate designed for both relaxation and indulgence.
Why join? Be part of an exceptional Chef Team within a prestige hospitality environment during an exciting period of transformation and growth.
Benefits:
- A Day in the Life of a Guest Stay (Overnight Stay within the First 6 Months)
- Pension Scheme (Aegon)
- Hospitality Rewards Scheme
- Life Assurance (Legal & General)
- Private Medical Insurance (WPA)
- Selected Discounts Across the Resort
- Enhanced Annual Leave for Long Service
- Annual Leave – 20 Days plus Bank Holidays
- Employee Assistance Programme (Hospitality Action)
- Staff Meals
- Uniform Laundry Service
Our success is dependent on every single individual in our team.
Senior Sous Chef — Lead Culinary Team at Luxury Resort employer: Only Chefs Ltd
Rockliffe Hall is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work as a Senior Sous Chef in a prestigious five-star resort set in the picturesque Tees Valley. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, our team enjoys a supportive work culture, competitive benefits including private medical insurance and enhanced annual leave, and the chance to be part of a transformative culinary experience in a stunning countryside setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Sous Chef — Lead Culinary Team at Luxury Resort
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow chefs, suppliers, and industry contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you get the chance, offer to do a trial shift or a cook-off. This is your moment to shine and demonstrate what you can bring to the kitchen at Rockliffe Hall.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared for interviews! Brush up on your culinary knowledge and be ready to discuss your experience managing kitchen teams and achieving profit targets. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our fantastic team at Rockliffe Hall.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Sous Chef — Lead Culinary Team at Luxury Resort
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Culinary Arts:When writing your application, let your love for cooking shine through! Share your culinary journey and what inspires you in the kitchen. We want to see that you're not just a chef, but a true food enthusiast.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Sous Chef role. Highlight relevant experience, especially in managing kitchen teams and achieving profit targets. We appreciate when applicants take the time to align their skills with our needs.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points for key achievements and responsibilities. We love clarity, so make it easy for us to see why you’re the perfect fit for our team!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our fantastic team at Rockliffe Hall.
How to prepare for a job interview at Only Chefs Ltd
✨Know Your Culinary Stuff
Brush up on your culinary techniques and be ready to discuss your experience with menu development, stock management, and team training. They’ll want to see that you can not only cook but also lead a kitchen effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed a kitchen team in the past. Highlight your ability to train staff, handle performance issues, and maintain high standards under pressure. They’re looking for someone who can step up when the Head Chef is away.
✨Understand the Business Side
Familiarise yourself with concepts like gross profit targets, portion control, and wastage measures. Be ready to discuss how you’ve achieved these in previous roles, as they’ll want to know you can manage the kitchen’s financial health.
✨Be Ready for a Cook-Off
They might ask you to demonstrate your cooking skills during the interview. Prepare a signature dish that showcases your style and creativity. This is your chance to impress them with both your culinary skills and presentation!
