Executive Sous Chef

Smyth & Co; City Of London; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Smyth & Co in London seeks an Executive Sous Chef to join the culinary leadership team of a prestigious 5-star luxury hotel.

You will lead a large, multi-disciplinary kitchen brigade, drive culinary standards, contribute to menu development and oversee major events to deliver exceptional guest experiences.

Working closely with the Executive Chef, you will manage food costs, labour, training and ensure HACCP compliance.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an Executive Sous Chef or Senior Sous Chef in luxury 5-star hotels.
• Experience leading large kitchen brigades and multiple operations.
• Strong background in luxury dining, banqueting and high-volume service.
• Exceptional culinary knowledge with passion for quality and innovation.
• Strong financial and operational understanding (food cost and labour).
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Calm, hands-on leadership and ability to develop chefs.
• Passion for delivering memorable guest experiences and high standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead, inspire and develop a large multi-disciplinary kitchen brigade.
• Maintain exceptional food quality, presentation, consistency and hygiene.
• Oversee kitchen operations in the Executive Chef’s absence.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to deliver a seamless guest experience.
• Contribute to menu development, seasonal concepts and culinary innovation.
• Oversee major events, banqueting and high-profile functions.
• Manage food costs, labour, stock and purchasing.
• Drive training, succession planning and talent development.

Skills

Leadership

Culinary excellence

Menu development

HACCP / food safety

Food cost control

Labour management

High-volume service

Staff development

Quality assurance

Luxury hospitality

Job description

Executive Sous Chef

5* Luxury Hotel – London

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

Location: London

Employment Type: Full-time

We are seeking an exceptional Executive Sous Chef to join the culinary leadership team of a prestigious 5-star luxury hotel in London.

This is an outstanding opportunity for an ambitious and highly skilled chef to play a key role in delivering an exceptional culinary experience across a diverse collection of outlets, including luxury dining, all-day dining, banqueting and high-profile events.

Working closely with the Executive Chef, you will be instrumental in driving culinary standards, developing the brigade and ensuring consistently outstanding food quality, presentation and service.

The Role

• Support the Executive Chef in the overall leadership and operation of the hotel’s culinary department.
• Lead, inspire and develop a large, multi-disciplinary kitchen brigade.
• Maintain exceptional standards of food quality, presentation, consistency and hygiene.
• Take responsibility for the kitchen operation in the Executive Chef’s absence.
• Work closely with the wider senior leadership team to deliver a seamless guest experience.
• Contribute to menu development, seasonal concepts and culinary innovation.
• Oversee major events, banqueting and high-profile functions.
• Ensure effective management of food costs, labour, stock and purchasing.
• Drive training, succession planning and talent development within the kitchen team.
• Champion food safety, HACCP and all relevant legislative and hotel standards.
• Foster a positive, professional and collaborative kitchen culture.

About You

We are looking for a passionate and accomplished chef who combines technical excellence with strong leadership and commercial awareness.

You will ideally have:

• Proven experience as an Executive Sous Chef, Sous Chef or Senior Sous Chef within a luxury 5-star hotel or high-end hospitality environment.
• Experience managing large kitchen brigades and multiple culinary operations.
• A strong background in luxury dining, banqueting and high-volume service.
• Exceptional culinary knowledge with a genuine passion for quality and innovation.
• Strong financial and operational understanding, including food cost and labour management.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• A calm, hands‑on and inspirational leadership style.
• A proven ability to develop, motivate and retain talented chefs.
• A passion for delivering memorable guest experiences and consistently high standards.

What’s on Offer

• Work within an internationally recognised luxury hospitality environment.
• Lead and develop a talented, high-performing culinary team.
• Work alongside an experienced and highly regarded Executive Chef.
• Play a significant role in shaping the hotel’s culinary offering.
• Benefit from excellent career development and progression opportunities.
• Receive a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

If you are an accomplished culinary leader ready to take the next step in your career within one of London’s most prestigious 5-star hotels, we would love to hear from you.