At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the kitchen team, ensuring exceptional food quality and service standards.
- Company: Join Buzzworks, a vibrant hospitality group with 22 stylish venues across Scotland.
- Benefits: Earn £40,000+ with flexible shifts, staff discounts, and wellness support.
- Other info: Opportunities for genuine internal progression and personal development.
- Why this job: Step up your culinary career in a fast-paced, supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in high-volume kitchens and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 33500 € per year.
At Buzzworks, we’re more than just a hospitality group, we are a community. With 22 stylish venues (and growing) across Scotland, we deliver exceptional food and unforgettable hospitality experiences with personality, flair and attention to detail. From Mediterranean dining and premium grill concepts to vibrant neighbourhood restaurants, our kitchens are built around fresh ingredients, strong systems and passionate teams.
If you’re driven by high standards, thrive in a fast-paced environment and love developing others, you will feel right at home here.
The Buzz:
- On-target earnings £40,000+ (Salary + Tronc)
- Flexible working options, shifts that work around your life
- Leadership & Development opportunities
- 40% staff discount across all Buzzworks venues
- Stream – access your pay as you need it
- Extra holidays at 1, 3 and 5 years’ service
- Wellbeing support, gym membership & wellness hub access
- Proud to be Top 100 Best Companies to Work For
- Genuine internal progression, we promote from within
The Role:
As Sous Chef, you’ll play a key leadership role within the kitchen — supporting your Head Chef while helping drive standards, performance and culture every day. This is a hands-on position in a high-volume environment where consistency, pace and teamwork are everything. You’ll lead from the front during service, ensure dishes leave the pass to spec every time and contribute to strong commercial performance behind the scenes.
You will:
- Support and lead the kitchen team to deliver exceptional standards during service
- Drive food quality, presentation and consistency
- Assist in managing GP, stock control and labour performance
- Support rota planning and daily kitchen organisation
- Mentor and develop chefs at every level
- Run service and daily briefings in the Head Chef’s absence
- Maintain a safe, compliant and well-structured kitchen
- Build strong communication between BOH and FOH teams
We’re looking for a chef who is:
- Experienced in a fast-paced, high-volume kitchen
- Commercially aware and confident with ordering and margins
- Passionate about quality, standards and presentation
- A natural leader who motivates and develops others
- Calm under pressure and consistent in their approach
If you’re ready to step up, grow your leadership skills and build a long-term career with one of Scotland’s most forward-thinking hospitality groups, we’d love to hear from you.
Buzzworks is an equal opportunity employer. We believe a diverse, empowered team is key to our mission: To make people feel great through hospitality.
Sous Chef in Kilmarnock employer: The Duke - Kilmarnock
At Buzzworks, we pride ourselves on being more than just a hospitality group; we are a vibrant community dedicated to delivering exceptional dining experiences across Scotland. As a Sous Chef at The Duke in Kilmarnock, you will enjoy a supportive work culture that prioritises employee development, flexible working options, and a range of benefits including generous staff discounts and wellbeing support. Join us to grow your leadership skills in a dynamic environment where your passion for quality and teamwork will be truly valued.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sous Chef in Kilmarnock
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the venue! Before your interview, check out The Duke and its vibe. Familiarise yourself with their menu and style. This shows you’re genuinely interested and ready to jump in.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former staff on social media. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have. It’s all about making those connections!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! If you get the chance, bring a dish or two that showcases your culinary flair. It’s a great way to demonstrate your passion and creativity right off the bat.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Buzzworks family.
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef in Kilmarnock
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your love for food and hospitality shine through. We want to see your enthusiasm for creating exceptional dining experiences and how you can contribute to our vibrant kitchen culture.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in fast-paced kitchens. We’re looking for specific examples of how you've led teams, maintained high standards, and managed kitchen operations. Personalise it to reflect what we value at Buzzworks!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your skills and experiences. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for the Sous Chef role.
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 community at Buzzworks!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Duke - Kilmarnock
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the menu and the types of dishes served at Buzzworks. Be ready to discuss how you would maintain quality and presentation, as well as any ideas you might have for new dishes or improvements.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Highlight your ability to mentor and develop others, as this is crucial for the Sous Chef role. Think about specific situations where you motivated your team under pressure.
✨Understand the Business Side
Brush up on your knowledge of stock control, GP management, and ordering processes. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to the commercial performance of the kitchen, as this will show your awareness of the business aspect of the role.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice how you would communicate with both the back of house (BOH) and front of house (FOH) teams. Strong communication is key in a fast-paced environment, so think of examples where you’ve successfully bridged gaps between teams.
