Junior Sous Chef

Aimbridge Hospitality; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hotel discounts

Subsidised meals

Paid breaks

Wellbeing allowance

Holiday allowance

Cycle to work

Wagestream access

Employee assistance

Job summary

Aloft Birmingham Eastside & The Eastside Rooms is recruiting a Junior Sous Chef to join our busy banqueting and events operation. You will assist in planning menus for conferences, exhibitions, weddings and large-scale events, while leading kitchen sections to maintain high standards for plated and buffet service.

We seek strong leadership, food safety and cost awareness, with a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Qualifications

• Experience as Junior Sous Chef or similar in hotel/events.
• Experience delivering high-volume catering.
• Strong organisational skills under pressure.
• Excellent leadership and team development.
• Passion for high-quality food.

Responsibilities

• Support planning and execution of conference and banqueting menus.
• Lead sections during large-scale events and service periods.
• Supervise and develop Chef de Parties and Commis Chefs.
• Ensure food is produced consistently and efficiently for plated and buffet service.
• Manage stock usage, portion control and waste to maximise profitability.
• Maintain strict food safety, hygiene and health & safety standards.
• Collaborate with the Conference & Events team to deliver exceptional guest experiences.

Skills

Leadership

Food safety

Organisational skills

Flexibility

Food hygiene

Job description

Aloft Hotels are designed for global travellers who love open spaces, open thinking and open expression. This is a place where travel creates possibilities, where style is necessary, connectivity keeps up with you, social scenes are vibrant, and the only direction is forward. This is Aloft Hotels.

The Eastside Rooms is a unique environment that combines the innovation of the future with Birmingham’s iconic heritage. Think stylish with a touch of cool. Professional with a touch of fun. We’re all about creating exceptional experiences. Couple attention to detail with a distinctive attitude for creating spectacular memories and you have the perfect combination of skills to enhance any occasion. Traditional, yet contemporary. This is The Eastside Rooms.

Aloft Birmingham Eastside & The Eastside Rooms is a Disability Confident Employer.

Who are we?

Aimbridge Hospitality EMEA are a division of the global Aimbridge Hospitality brand. We’re passionate about connecting great people to great experiences in exciting destinations, working with brands such as Hilton, IHG, Accor, Marriott and everything in between. From the rich diversity of our people and locations to our “people first” approach to business, the Aimbridge experience is like no other.

What is in it for you?

We want our team to have a work life balance that works both for them and the business. Please feel free to talk to us at the interview stage about the flexibility you need and we will explore what’s possible for the role.

As part of the Eastside team, you will have access to a suite of benefits that include:

• Hotel discounts portfolio wide – staff rates and up to 50% discount on food & beverage and spa
• Subsidised meals on duty
• Paid breaks
• Financial contribution towards childcare up to age 12, from day 1 of employment
• Annual wellbeing allowance up to £500
• A minimum of 30 days holiday (pro rata for part time and condensed hours working patterns)
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes – Holiday purchase scheme and Cycle to work scheme.
• Wagestream – stream up to 40% pay as it is earned and set automatic savings to support your financial wellbeing.
• 24/7 access to our employee assistance programme
• Company sick pay - giving you piece of mind when you need it the most
• Annual reviews for salary and employee benefits
• A genuine commitment to your personal and professional growth through our excellent Learning & Development offerings
• Regular recognition of your contribution, including team appreciation days and events, quarterly and annual awards and on-the-spot rewards via our online recognition platform

As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview. If you would like to discuss this in more detail, please feel free to reach out to our HR team by phone [phone]) or email

A day in the life of a Junior Sous Chef

This role is predominantly focused on our busy banqueting and events operation, supporting the delivery of conferences, exhibitions, gala dinners, weddings, private events, and large-scale catering functions.

As Junior Sous Chef, you will play a key role in leading kitchen operations for high-volume events, ensuring dishes are prepared, cooked, and presented to the highest standards while maintaining consistency across large numbers of covers.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting the Sous Chef and Head Chef in the planning and execution of conference and banqueting menus
• Leading sections during large-scale events and service periods
• Supervising, coaching, and developing Chef de Parties and Commis Chefs
• Ensuring food is produced consistently and efficiently for both plated and buffet-style events
• Managing food preparation for multiple events running simultaneously
• Maintaining strict food safety, hygiene, and health & safety standards
• Monitoring stock usage, portion control, and waste management to maximise profitability
• Assisting with menu development and event-specific food concepts
• Working closely with the Conference & Events team to deliver exceptional guest experiences

You will be joining a fast-paced operation where no two days are the same, with opportunities to cater for anything from intimate private dinners to large-scale events for several hundred delegates.

What do we need from you?

To be successful in this role, you'll have:

• Previous experience as a Junior Sous Chef, Senior Chef de Partie, or similar role within a hotel, conference venue, events venue, or banqueting environment
• Experience delivering high-volume catering and large-scale events
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise effectively under pressure
• Excellent leadership and team development skills
• A passion for producing high-quality food on a consistent basis
• Strong knowledge of food hygiene and health & safety standards
• Good financial awareness, including food cost control and waste reduction
• Flexibility to support a varied operation, including evenings and weekends when required

Most importantly, we’re looking for someone who thrives in a dynamic events environment and is passionate about creating memorable experiences for every guest.

Why Join Us?

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of one of Birmingham's premier conference and events venues, where you'll have the chance to work on a diverse range of prestigious events while developing your career within a leading hospitality company.

At Aimbridge, we offer a place for you to grow, succeed, and belong. If you're ready to take the next step in your culinary career within a thriving banqueting operation, we'd love to hear from you.