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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the kitchen team, ensuring high-quality food and safety standards.
- Company: Join a vibrant hospitality brand known for fresh, 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 - 35000 £ 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'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.
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!
What you'll bring
- 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 their career.
- 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.
If you want to find out more about us, follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram @thelounges.
Sous Chef in Reading employer: The Lounges
Contact Detail:
The Lounges Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sous Chef in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Chat with fellow chefs, attend culinary events, and connect with industry folks on social media. You never know when a casual conversation might lead to your next big opportunity.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills in the kitchen! If you can, organise a cooking demo or a tasting session for potential employers. Let them see your passion for real cooking and how you handle fresh ingredients.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out directly to restaurants you admire and express your interest. A personal touch can make all the difference.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team. Plus, it’s the best way to stay updated on new opportunities and get noticed by our hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking: Let us know how much you love real cooking! Share your experiences with fresh ingredients and any creative dishes you've made. We want to see your enthusiasm shine through in your application.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a Sous Chef, you'll be leading the kitchen team, so make sure to showcase your leadership experience. Tell us about times you've motivated others or taken charge during busy shifts. We love a proactive approach!
Be Detail-Oriented: We’re all about the details, from hygiene to food safety. In your application, mention how you ensure high standards in the kitchen. This will show us that you share our commitment to excellence.
Apply Through Our Website: Ready to join our team? Make sure to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. We can’t wait to see your application and hopefully welcome you aboard!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Lounges
✨Know Your Ingredients
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of fresh ingredients and cooking techniques. Be ready to discuss your favourite dishes and how you prepare them. This shows your passion for real cooking, which is something we value highly.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Sous Chef, you'll be leading the kitchen team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed shifts or trained new staff in the past. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively and build rapport with your team, as this is crucial for us.
✨Understand Health & Safety Standards
Familiarise yourself with health and safety regulations, as well as hygiene practices. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure these standards are met in the kitchen. We take pride in maintaining 5* kitchen standards, so showing your commitment to this will impress.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills, especially in high-pressure situations. Think about times when you've had to make quick decisions regarding stock management or food safety. Demonstrating your ability to handle challenges will show us you're the right fit.