Senior Sous Chef

Compass Group UK & Ireland; City Of London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering service provider is seeking a Senior Sous Chef to lead the kitchen brigade, oversee large-scale events, and collaborate on menu innovation. This role offers a better work-life balance with daytime hours and competitive benefits. The ideal candidate will have a culinary vision, experience in high-end environments, and a passion for mentoring junior chefs.

Benefits

Competitive pay

Training and development opportunities

Free daily lunch

Wellbeing and social events

Enhanced Company pension scheme

Eyecare allowance

Exclusive discounts

Qualifications

• Experience in a five-star hotel or well-known events company.
• Ability to oversee large-scale kitchen operations for events and dinners.
• Skills in menu innovation and collaboration with chefs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire the kitchen brigade, maintaining standards of excellence.
• Collaborate on menu development and operational strategy.
• Ensure safety and quality in kitchen operations.
• Mentor junior chefs and foster a culture of growth.
• Innovate seasonal menus and event concepts.

Skills

Culinary vision

Leadership

Creativity

Operational discipline

Mentoring

Job description

Overview

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.

At Rocket, we create unforgettable dining experiences for some of the UK's most prestigious events and venues. For over two decades, our name has been synonymous with creativity, precision and exceptional service - from elegant dinners to large-scale celebrations that leave a lasting impression.

We're looking for a Senior Sous Chef who brings both culinary vision and genuine care. Someone who steers with confidence, accuracy and care - inspiring a flexible, passionate team to deliver consistent excellence. You'll combine creativity with operational discipline, oversee production for large-scale events, dinners for 400+, and bowl food for up to 800 guests while maintaining quality, and ensuring that every dish reflects Rocket's uncompromising standards.

You'll work closely with our Head Chef and Executive Chef, collaborating on menu innovation and bringing Rocket's creative vision to life across every event.

This role suits a Sous Chef ready for the next step or Senior Sous Chef from a five-star hotel or well-known events company - someone who thrives on delivering at scale but is ready for a better work-life balance. Unlike the intensity of a Michelin environment, here you'll enjoy daytime hours, Monday to Friday, with just two or three evening events a week and occasional weekends (paid as overtime).

What you'll do

• Lead and inspire the kitchen brigade, setting the standard for excellence in every service
• Collaborate with the Head Chef and Executive Chef on menu development, event planning, and operational strategy
• Maintain consistency, efficiency, and financial accountability across all kitchen operations
• Champion quality, safety, and presentation, ensuring every dish meets Rocket's exacting standards
• Mentor and develop junior chefs, fostering a culture of growth, teamwork, and creativity
• Take charge of the kitchen in the Head Chef's absence, ensuring seamless operations
• Drive innovation by contributing ideas for seasonal menus and new event concepts

Some of our benefits

We believe great work deserves great rewards:

• A competitive, trend-setting package
• Training and development opportunities to help you grow and thrive
• Free daily lunch at our Battersea HQ - freshly made in-house using sustainable, seasonal ingredients
• Wellbeing and social events that bring our teams together
• Employee referral scheme
• Enhanced Company pension scheme and Life Assurance to support your future
• Eyecare allowance to help you stay sharp
• Exclusive discounts across thousands of retail partners and brands
• And plenty more perks that make life at Rocket genuinely rewarding.

About Us

As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.

Job Reference: com/1610/41229001/52737063/SU #Rocket

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!