Executive Sous Chef

Smyth & Co; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Smyth & Co in London seeks an Executive Sous Chef to lead a multi-outlet kitchen within a prestigious 5-star hotel. You will combine culinary excellence with strong leadership and commercial awareness to deliver exceptional food and guest experiences.

Working closely with the Executive Chef, you will develop the brigade, drive standards, curate menus, manage costs, and oversee high-profile events while upholding the highest hygiene and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Executive Sous Chef or Senior Sous Chef in luxury hotel or high-end hospitality.
• Strong leadership with ability to develop and inspire large kitchen brigades.
• Excellent knowledge of luxury dining, banqueting and high-volume service.

Responsibilities

• Support the Executive Chef in 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, and hygiene.
• Oversee the kitchen in the Executive Chef’s absence.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to deliver seamless guest experiences.
• Contribute to menu development, seasonal concepts and culinary innovation.
• Oversee major events, banqueting and high-profile functions.
• Manage food costs, labour, stock and purchasing efficiently.
• Drive training, succession planning and talent development.
• Champion food safety, HACCP and hotel standards.

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.