At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead kitchen operations and ensure top-notch food quality across multiple sites.
- Company: Colicci, a family-run brand serving London's iconic green spaces.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, no late nights, free food, and exciting career growth.
- Other info: Enjoy 40% off at all sites and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Join a vibrant team and make a real impact in a people-first environment.
- Qualifications: Hands-on leadership experience and adaptability to work across various locations.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Colicci is a family-run hospitality brand, proudly serving London’s iconic green spaces. Our Dulwich Park café is a vibrant destination for locals and visitors, known for its fantastic coffee, freshly made food, and incredible pizzas. We're looking for a hands-on Sous Chef to support our kitchen leadership team across 4 sites in the South East London area, ensuring consistency in food quality, standards, and performance. The role acts as a flexible resource to cover holidays, support peak trading periods, new openings, and strengthen underperforming kitchens. If you’re a natural, adaptable leader with a zest for hospitality, this is your chance to make your mark in a fast-paced, people-first environment.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Leading the kitchen – ensuring smooth operations and maintaining top food quality.
- Bringing energy – managing operations efficiently and proactively.
- Building & mentoring your team – developing skills, training chefs and ensuring high standards.
- Managing stock & suppliers – maintaining fresh ingredients and controlling costs.
- Ensuring excellence in hygiene & safety – upholding the highest kitchen and food safety standards.
- Collaborating with the General Manager – driving the café’s success through an outstanding food offering.
What We’re Looking For:
- Provide hands-on BOH leadership support across 5 sites.
- Cover Head Chef / Sous Chef absences.
- Support new openings, menu rollouts and peak trading periods.
- Ensure consistency in food quality, specs, and brand standards across sites.
- Drive compliance: Food Safety, HACCP, allergen procedures and audit readiness.
- Support kitchen teams with training, coaching and performance improvement.
- Work closely with Operations Managers and Head of Food on site performance.
- Assist with stock control, ordering, GP protection and waste reduction.
- Act as a “troubleshooter” for sites requiring immediate operational support.
- Flexibility to align working pattern with business needs, including peak trading periods; weekends and school holidays.
- Adaptability to work across multiple sites rather than a single location.
Why Join Colicci?
- Competitive salary + performance bonus – your success is rewarded.
- No late nights - most of our locations close by 5pm during winter hours and 7pm during summer.
- Free food & hot beverages on shift - get to choose a menu item of your choice.
- Paid breaks - for all team members.
- Exciting career growth – be part of a thriving, growing business.
- Team discounts – enjoy 40% off across all our sites.
- A supportive team culture – where passion thrives.
Ready to Lead Something Special? We’d love to hear from you.
Area Support Sous Chef - South East London - No Late Nights! employer: The Horniman Café
Colicci is an exceptional employer that prioritises a supportive team culture and offers exciting career growth opportunities within the vibrant hospitality sector of South East London. With competitive salaries, no late nights, and generous employee benefits such as free meals and discounts across all sites, we foster an environment where passion for food and service can truly thrive. Join us to make your mark in a fast-paced, people-first setting that values adaptability and leadership.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Area Support Sous Chef - South East London - No Late Nights!
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the hospitality industry, especially those who might know someone at Colicci. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info about the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills in person! If you get the chance, visit one of Colicci's cafés and engage with the staff. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also gives you a feel for their operations and culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to kitchen leadership and food safety. We want you to demonstrate your adaptability and problem-solving skills, so think of examples from your past experiences.
✨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 being part of the Colicci family.
We think you need these skills to ace Area Support Sous Chef - South East London - No Late Nights!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Hospitality:When writing your application, let your love for the hospitality industry shine through. Share experiences that highlight your enthusiasm and commitment to delivering top-notch service, especially in a vibrant café setting like ours.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Area Support Sous Chef role. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that align with our needs, such as leadership in kitchen operations and maintaining food quality across multiple sites.
Be Clear About Your Flexibility:Since this role requires adaptability, be upfront about your availability and willingness to work across different locations. Mention any previous experience you have in similar flexible roles to show us you're ready for the challenge.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to join our team at Colicci!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Horniman Café
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with Colicci’s menu and their approach to food quality. Being able to discuss specific dishes, ingredients, and preparation methods will show your passion and knowledge, which is crucial for a role like this.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Highlight your experience in training and mentoring staff, as well as how you’ve handled challenges. This will demonstrate your adaptability and ability to manage operations smoothly.
✨Emphasise Your Flexibility
Since the role requires working across multiple sites and adapting to peak trading periods, be ready to discuss your flexibility. Share experiences where you’ve successfully adapted to changing circumstances or stepped up during busy times.
✨Discuss Food Safety Knowledge
Colicci places a strong emphasis on hygiene and safety standards. Brush up on your knowledge of food safety regulations, HACCP, and allergen procedures. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve implemented these practices in previous roles to ensure compliance and excellence.
