Relief Sous Chef

Houston & Hawkes; Greater London; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Birthday off every year

Enhanced parental leave

Free meals on duty

Contributory pension

Life assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

CODE Hospitality membership

Foodie Socials

Job summary

Houston & Hawkes is a leading independent caterer delivering premium food and hospitality across Central London. This Relief Sous Chef role offers hands-on culinary support across a portfolio of client sites, with exposure to retail and fine dining environments.

You will work with talented teams, maintain high standards, and adapt quickly to different kitchens while progressing your career within a supportive, award-winning company.

Qualifications

• A strong background in contract catering, five-star hotels, Michelin‑level restaurants or another premium food environment.
• Experience across both retail food and fine dining hospitality is highly desirable.
• A genuine passion for fresh, beautifully prepared food and exceptional presentation.
• The confidence to move between different Central London sites and adapt quickly to new kitchens and teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on culinary support across a portfolio of premium Central London client sites.
• Relief Sous Chefs, Head Chefs and kitchen teams during busy periods, holidays and operational requirements.
• Prepare and deliver exceptional food across both retail and fine dining hospitality.
• Support high-end hospitality, working lunches, events and bespoke client requirements.
• Step confidently into different kitchens and quickly understand each site's food offer, team and priorities.
• Maintain exceptional quality, consistency and presentation wherever you are working.
• Bring creativity and fresh ideas while respecting the individual style and requirements of each site.
• Support menu preparation, ordering, stock control, food cost and waste management where required.
• Work collaboratively with chefs and front-of-house teams to deliver seamless service.
• Support and guide junior chefs, sharing knowledge and maintaining strong kitchen standards.
• Maintain excellent food safety, allergen, hygiene and health and safety standards at all times.

Skills

Contract catering

Five-star hotels

Michelin-level restaurants

Premium food environment

Job description

Houston & Hawkes | London | £42,000 per
annum | 40 hours per week | Monday to Friday

Variety, exceptional food and the
opportunity to bring your skills to some of our most prestigious Central London
client sites.

Houston & Hawkes is looking for a
talented Relief Sous Chef to join our culinary team, working across a portfolio
of premium Central London client sites. This is an exciting opportunity for a
confident, adaptable chef who enjoys variety, loves working with different
teams and can bring exceptional standards wherever they are needed.

One day you may be supporting a vibrant
retail service, the next helping deliver an elegant fine dining lunch or
high-end hospitality event. You’ll work alongside talented chefs across our
business, bringing creativity, consistency and a calm, professional approach to
every kitchen you support.

THE ROLE

• Provide hands‑on culinary support across a
  portfolio of premium Central London client sites
• Relief Sous Chefs, Head Chefs and kitchen
  teams during busy periods, holidays and operational requirements
• Prepare and deliver exceptional food across
  both retail and fine dining hospitality
• Support high‑end hospitality, working
  lunches, events and bespoke client requirements
• Step confidently into different kitchens
  and quickly understand each site’s food offer, team and priorities
• Maintain exceptional quality, consistency
  and presentation wherever you are working
• Bring creativity and fresh ideas while
  respecting the individual style and requirements of each site
• Support menu preparation, ordering, stock
  control, food cost and waste management where required
• Work collaboratively with chefs and
  front‑of‑house teams to deliver seamless service
• Support and guide junior chefs, sharing
  knowledge and maintaining strong kitchen standards
• Maintain excellent food safety, allergen,
  hygiene and health and safety standards at all times

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

• A strong background in contract catering,
  five-star hotels, Michelin‑level restaurants or another premium food
  environment
• Experience across both retail food and fine
  dining hospitality is highly desirable
• A genuine passion for fresh, beautifully
  prepared food and exceptional presentation
• The confidence to move between different
  Central London sites and adapt quickly to new kitchens and teams
• Strong culinary skills with the ability to
  maintain consistently high standards
• Excellent organisation and the ability to
  work calmly in changing environments
• A positive, flexible and hands‑on approach
• Strong communication skills and the ability
  to build relationships quickly
• A professional approach and genuine pride
  in the food you produce

WHY JOIN HOUSTON & HAWKES?

• £42,000 per annum
• 40 hours per week
• Monday to Friday
• A varied culinary role across some of our
  most prestigious Central London client sites
• The opportunity to experience different
  food styles, teams and premium operations
• Birthday off every year
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption
  leave
• Free meals on duty
• Contributory pension scheme
• Life assuranceEmployee Assistance Programme
• CODE Hospitality membership
• Foodie Socials bringing our chefs together
  to explore new flavours, techniques and ideas
• Ongoing learning, development and genuine
  career progression
• Summer Awards Party celebrating our people
  and achievements
• An unforgettable Christmas Party at one of
  London’s outstanding venues

ABOUT HOUSTON & HAWKES

Houston & Hawkes is an award‑winning
independent caterer creating vibrant, creative and exceptional food and
hospitality experiences across some of the UK’s most prestigious client sites.

We’re a Certified B Corp, recipient of the
King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development 2026 and proud to be
ranked No. 14 in The Caterer’s Best Places to Work in Hospitality.

If you are a talented chef who enjoys
variety, loves both retail and fine dining and wants the opportunity to work
with exceptional teams across Central London, we would love to hear from you.