Sushi Sous Chef in London

Sushi Sous Chef
The Opportunity We are looking for an experienced and passionate Sushi Sous Chef to join a quality-driven Japanese restaurant and play an important role within the sushi kitchen.
This is a hands-on leadership role for a chef who cares deeply about Japanese food, exceptional produce and the details that make a dish memorable. Working closely with the senior kitchen and management team, you will help deliver consistently high standards across preparation and service, support the development of the team and contribute ideas to the continued evolution of the menu.
We are looking for someone who is equally comfortable working the counter during a busy service, supporting and developing junior chefs, maintaining high standards and getting involved in new dishes and ideas.
Your Role As Sushi Sous Chef, you will be a key member of the sushi team, supporting the senior kitchen leadership and helping to ensure everything leaving the counter is consistent, beautifully prepared and delivered to a high standard.
You will:
Lead the preparation and service of hand rolls, nigiri, sashimi and other sushi dishes, maintaining high standards of taste, texture, presentation, portioning and timing.
Work with high-quality British and seasonal produce , using Japanese techniques to showcase the quality and character of the ingredients.
Take responsibility for sushi rice during service, ensuring it is prepared, seasoned and held correctly and consistently.
Support the receiving, preparation, breakdown and portioning of fish, making the most of each product while maintaining quality, yield and traceability.
Maintain excellent knife skills and set a strong example for precision, consistency and safe working practices.
Support the senior kitchen team with menu development, new dishes and specials.
Help develop and refine recipes, ensuring dishes are properly tested and documented.
Bring ideas and creativity to the kitchen while understanding the importance of consistency and delivering an established style.
Take an active role at the sushi counter during service, ensuring dishes are finished and dispatched at the right pace and to the right standard.
Support the wider kitchen team wherever required, particularly during busy services.
Leadership & Team Development You will play an important leadership role within the sushi kitchen, helping to create a positive, professional and well-organised working environment.
You will:
Lead by example, maintaining high standards of food, preparation and behaviour.
Support the organisation of daily preparation and allocation of sections.
Coach and develop junior chefs in sushi preparation, fish handling, knife skills, recipes and presentation.
Help new team members settle into the kitchen and understand its standards and ways of working.
Support the development of junior members of the team and encourage progression where appropriate.
Help maintain a strong and supportive team culture.
Remain calm and positive during busy services, stepping in wherever needed.
Raise any performance, conduct or operational concerns with the senior kitchen team or management.
Work closely with the wider kitchen team to ensure a smooth and collaborative service.
Food Quality & Standards Quality is at the heart of the role. You will help ensure the product remains exceptional and consistent every day.
This includes:
Maintaining consistently high standards across sushi rice, fish, hand rolls, nigiri, sashimi and supporting dishes.
Working with seasonal British ingredients and understanding how their quality and character can be best showcased through Japanese techniques.
Checking the quality, freshness and condition of ingredients throughout service.
Making considered use of fish cuts and by-products while maintaining quality and presentation.
Following recipes, portions and presentation standards consistently.
Identifying opportunities to improve the product and sharing ideas with the senior kitchen team.
Responding positively to guest and management feedback and helping to implement improvements.
Kitchen Support & Organisation Working alongside the senior kitchen team, you will also support the smooth day-to-day running of the sushi section.
This will include:
Planning and organising preparation according to bookings, forecasted covers, events and stock levels.
Supporting ordering and par levels to ensure the section is appropriately stocked.
Helping to monitor food cost, yields, stock levels and waste.
Supporting regular stock counts and maintaining accurate records.
Checking deliveries and ensuring ingredients are stored correctly.
Ensuring equipment is clean, maintained and fit for purpose, reporting any issues promptly.
Helping ensure the sushi kitchen is organised, clean and ready for service.
Supporting the senior kitchen team with staffing and section requirements where needed.
Food Safety & Allergens You will play an important role in maintaining excellent food safety standards within the sushi kitchen.
This includes:
Maintaining high standards of hygiene and cleanliness.
Ensuring raw fish is received, stored, prepared and handled safely and correctly.
Following all temperature, traceability, cleaning and food safety procedures.
Ensuring ingredients are correctly labelled, dated and stored.
Following accurate recipe and allergen information.
Communicating clearly with the front of house team regarding allergens, ingredients and any changes to dishes.
Never making assumptions about allergen safety and always following the agreed procedure for guest requests.
Helping ensure the team follows safe knife, equipment and food handling practices.
Working with the Wider Team You will work closely with the senior kitchen team, management and front of house to ensure the restaurant operates as one team.
You may be involved in:
Private dining and events.
Bespoke menus and special occasions.
Menu tastings and new dish development.
Working with seasonal British produce and developing ideas around new ingredients and availability.
Supporting the team during busy or challenging services.
Responding to guest feedback and sharing relevant observations with management.
Supporting the wider restaurant wherever required.
What We're Looking For We are looking for an experienced sushi chef with strong technical ability, a genuine passion for Japanese food and the confidence to take on a senior role within a busy kitchen.
You will ideally have:
Strong experience within a high-quality Japanese or sushi-led restaurant.
Previous experience as a Senior Sushi Chef, Sushi Sous Chef, Sous Chef or similar level.
Excellent knowledge of sushi preparation, including hand rolls, nigiri and sashimi.
Strong fish preparation and knife skills.
A good understanding of sushi rice and the importance of precision and consistency.
Experience supporting and developing a kitchen team.
Good knowledge of food safety, HACCP, raw fish handling and allergens.
Experience with stock management, waste control and kitchen organisation.
The ability to remain calm, organised and hands-on during busy services.
A genuine passion for Japanese food and exceptional produce.
An appreciation for seasonality and an interest in working creatively with British ingredients.
The Person You'll be a natural leader who is still happiest with a knife in your hand.
You'll have high standards without being difficult to work with, be confident enough to take responsibility and open-minded enough to listen to others. You'll care about the details, take pride in your work and enjoy helping those around you develop.
This is an opportunity for someone who wants to take the next step in their sushi career working with exceptional produce, developing their technical skills, supporting a talented team and playing an important role in the continued development of the restaurant. .
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