Relief Sous Chef

Houston & Hawkes; Greater London; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Birthday off every year

Enhanced maternity/paternity leave

Free meals on duty

Contributory pension scheme

Life assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

CODE Hospitality membership

Foodie Socials

Ongoing learning and progression

Summer Awards Party

Christmas Party

Job summary

Houston & Hawkes is seeking a Relief Sous Chef to join our culinary team, supporting a portfolio of premium Central London client sites. You will work across retail and fine dining environments, delivering exceptional food and maintaining high kitchen standards.

The role requires adaptability to different sites, strong culinary skills and the ability to manage food cost, waste and safety. This position offers a competitive £42,000 salary and Monday–Friday, 40 hours weekly, with busy periods and

Qualifications

• Background in contract catering, five-star hotels, Michelin-level restaurants or premium food environments.
• Experience across both retail food and fine dining hospitality is highly desirable.
• Passion for fresh, beautifully prepared food and exceptional presentation.
• Ability to move between Central London sites and adapt quickly to new kitchens and teams.
• Strong culinary skills and consistently high standards.
• Excellent organisation and calm work across changing environments.
• Positive, flexible, hands-on approach.
• Strong communication and ability to build relationships quickly.
• Professional pride in the food produced.

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 and holidays.
• Prepare and deliver exceptional food across retail and fine dining hospitality.
• Support high-end hospitality, working lunches, events and bespoke client requirements.
• Move confidently between kitchens and understand each site's food offer, team and priorities.
• Maintain exceptional quality, consistency and presentation.
• Bring creativity with respect for each site’s style and requirements.
• Support menu preparation, ordering, stock control, food cost and waste management where required.
• Collaborate with chefs and front-of-house teams for seamless service.
• Guide junior chefs and maintain strong kitchen standards.
• Uphold food safety, allergens, hygiene and health & safety at all times.

Skills

Contract catering

Five-star hotels

Michelin-level restaurants

Premium food environment

Retail food

Fine dining hospitality

Food presentation

Adaptability

Culinary skills

Organisation

Calm under pressure

Hands-on

Communication skills

Relationship building

Professional approach

Job description

RELIEF SOUS CHEF

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 assurance
• Employee 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.