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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 group known for fresh cooking and a fun work culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy overtime pay, staff meals, discounts, and a lively staff party!
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team that values real cooking and personal growth.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Sous Chef or Junior Sous Chef with strong kitchen skills required.
- Other info: Opportunities for career progression and shared tips across the team.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Role Overview
You are probably an existing Sous Chef, Junior Sous Chef or Assistant Kitchen Manager looking to take the next step. You have experience working with fresh ingredients and can demonstrate good chef/kitchen skills: food prep hot and cold, cleaning, knife skills, good hygiene practices.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead shifts and engage the kitchen team to deliver 14 great shifts week in, week out.
- Ensure the kitchen runs effectively and safely, managing details such as stocks, Health & Safety, hygiene, and manning the pass to keep food on-spec and on-time.
- Deliver excellent kitchen and food standards as part of a high performing team.
- Make decisions in the absence of the Head Chef considering labour, stock, food safety and other requirements.
- Communicate with stakeholders, building rapport and trust with Ops Chefs and Ops Managers.
- Apply best practices around rota scheduling, sales and labour forecasts, reporting, recruitment and HR.
- Train and recruit kitchen teams, including Apprentices, KPs, Chefs, Junior Sous Chefs and Sous Chefs.
Qualifications & Skills
- Experienced Sous Chef, Junior Sous Chef or Kitchen Manager with hands‑on expertise in fresh ingredients.
- Strong chef/kitchen skills: food prep hot and cold, cleaning, knife skills, hygiene practices.
- Extremely driven, relentless, and able to deconstruct a ‘can’t’ mentality.
- Familiar with KPIs and decision‑making in the absence of a Head Chef.
- Epic communication skills, managing stakeholders and building rapport and trust.
- Strong knowledge of best practice around rota scheduling, sales and labour forecasts, reporting, recruitment, HR.
Benefits & Perks
- 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 Licensed 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.
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Sous Chef employer: The Lounges
Contact Detail:
The Lounges Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sous Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with our brand and values. Understanding what we stand for in terms of fresh, customer-led cooking will help you align your passion and experience with our mission during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network within the culinary community. Attend local food events or workshops where you might meet current or former employees. Building connections can give you insights into our kitchen culture and potentially lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you engage with kitchen teams. We value strong communication and teamwork, so think of examples that showcase your ability to motivate and train others effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Brush up on your knowledge of health and safety regulations. Being well-versed in these areas will not only demonstrate your commitment to maintaining high standards but also show that you can manage the kitchen effectively under pressure.
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience as a Sous Chef or in similar roles. Emphasise your skills with fresh ingredients, kitchen management, and any leadership roles you've held.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for real cooking and your commitment to high standards. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to lead a kitchen team effectively.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, focus on key skills such as food preparation, hygiene practices, and communication abilities. Mention your familiarity with KPIs and your experience in training kitchen staff.
Show Enthusiasm for the Company: Research the company and express your enthusiasm for their approach to cooking and customer service. Mention how you align with their values and what excites you about the opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Lounges
✨Show Your Passion for Real Cooking
Make sure to express your love for cooking with fresh ingredients during the interview. Share specific examples of dishes you've created or techniques you've mastered that align with the company's focus on quality and customer-led cooking.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Sous Chef, you'll be leading the kitchen team. Be prepared to discuss your experience in managing shifts, training staff, and maintaining high standards. Highlight any successful initiatives you've implemented to improve kitchen efficiency or team morale.
✨Know Your Health & Safety Standards
Familiarise yourself with health and safety regulations relevant to the kitchen environment. Be ready to discuss how you ensure compliance and maintain hygiene standards in your previous roles, as this is crucial for the position.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about how you would handle specific kitchen scenarios, such as managing a busy service or resolving conflicts within the team. Think through your responses in advance, focusing on your problem-solving skills and ability to stay calm under pressure.
