Assistant Head Chef /Sous Chef

Zizzi Restaurants; Southampton; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 19,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals on shift

Staff discounts on dining

Travel/cinema/big-brand discounts

Minimum-hour contract

Job summary

Zizzi Restaurants is seeking an Assistant Head Chef in our busy Southampton kitchen to lead shifts, run the pass, and mentor a team during peak periods. You’ll partner with the Head Chef to maintain top quality, drive consistency, and manage stock, labour, prep, and cost control while delivering outstanding dining experiences for dine-in and delivery channels.

We value hands-on leaders who stay calm under pressure, champion safety and cleanliness, and support junior chefs’ development.

Qualifications

• Experience as sous chef or senior chef in high-volume kitchen.
• Hands-on leader who can run shifts and the pass.
• Strong focus on food quality and consistency.

Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen and run the pass in the Head Chef's absence, keeping service flawless, fast, and on point.
• Deliver exceptional food quality and picture-perfect consistency across dine-in and out-of-restaurant delivery orders.
• Support the management team by hitting kitchen performance metrics with stock, labour, managing prep, and cost control.
• Coach and develop junior chefs, sharing your skills to build confidence, talent, and team spirit.
• Act as a role model for safety, ensuring kitchen cleanliness, compliance, and food safety are always spot on.

Skills

Leadership

Kitchen management

Stock control

Food safety

Staff coaching

Job description

Assistant Head Chef up to £14.25 per hour plus Tronc and Benefits

Our Story

Zizzi started in 1999 with one oven and a big dream of doing Italian food, our way. We don't do bland food, people or restaurants. You'll know us for bubbly pizza, fresh pasta, and good times.

About The Role

As an Assistant Head Chef, you have a vital leadership role in our open kitchen. Partnering with the Head Chef, you'll step up to lead shifts, run the pass, and inspire the team during high-volume rushes. We're looking for someone hands-on who can balance a buzzing restaurant floor with our fast-paced out-of-restaurant delivery channels. If you have the drive to step up, we'll give you the platform to grow.

• Lead the kitchen and run the pass in the Head Chef's absence, keeping service flawless, fast, and on point.
• Deliver exceptional food quality and picture-perfect consistency across dine-in and out-of-restaurant delivery orders.
• Support the management team by hitting kitchen performance metrics with stock, labour, managing prep, and cost control.
• Coach and develop junior chefs, sharing your skills to build confidence, talent, and team spirit.
• Act as a role model for safety, ensuring kitchen cleanliness, compliance, and food safety are always spot on.

What's in it for you

• Career development opportunities to fast-track your career to Head Chef.
• Flexible hours and the guaranteed stability of a minimum-hour contract.
• Free meals when you're on shift, and 50% off when you aren't.
• Discounts on travel, cinema, and big brands

What we're looking for

• Experience as a Sous Chef, Junior Sous, or Senior Chef in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
• A love of Italian food, consistency, and high standards.
• A confident leader who can run a shift and motivate a team.
• The ability to stay calm, organised, and ready to guide the team during our busiest times, including evenings, weekends and holiday periods.
• A solid understanding of kitchen operations, including stock management, wastage, and labour control.

Why you'll fit right in

We want you in the kitchen, as you are, from day 1. We love individuality - bold tattoos, bad singing, big laugh, brave choices. We're a Times Top 500 Employer because we celebrate everyone's differences. While we're on that, we're also the only Italian restaurant in the FT's UK's Best Employers 2026 Special Report (for working conditions, salary, potential for development and company image).