Senior Sous Chef

Restaurant Associates UK; Greater London; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals

Pension scheme

Career development

Digital GP access

Travel discounts

Grocery discounts

Cinema discounts

Cash rewards

Wellness classes

Friends & family discounts

Job summary

Restaurant Associates is seeking an experienced Senior Sous Chef to lead the kitchen alongside the Head Chef, driving quality and a consistently high standard of service in a dynamic environment. In this hands-on role you’ll deputise for the Head Chef when needed, coach the kitchen team and oversee busy services while maintaining food safety and quality.

Experience in contract catering or high-volume kitchens is valued, with qualifications in professional cookery and Food Hygiene levels 2 or 3

Qualifications

• Professional cookery qualifications.
• Food Hygiene Level 2 or 3 certification.
• Experience in contract catering or high-volume kitchens is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Lead preparation and service to maintain high standards.
• Deputise for Head Chef and direct kitchen team.
• Coach and develop chefs, build skills and confidence.
• Support menu planning and food production.
• Manage ordering, stock rotation and portion control.
• Assist with rotas, recruitment and onboarding.
• Maintain food safety, allergens and hygiene checks.
• Collaborate with the team to enhance the dining experience.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Team leadership

Food cost management

Menu planning

Stock management

Communication

Education

Professional cookery qualifications

Food Hygiene Level 2

Food Hygiene Level 3

Job description

Senior Sous Chef | Restaurant Associates

Restaurant Associates is looking for an experienced Senior Sous Chef to take a leading role in our kitchen, supporting the Head Chef and helping the team deliver excellent food and a consistently high standard of service.

This is a hands-on opportunity for a confident chef who enjoys leading from the front, developing people and keeping a busy kitchen running smoothly. You’ll combine strong cooking skills with the organisation and commercial awareness needed to maintain quality, control costs and deliver an excellent dining experience.

The role

As Senior Sous Chef, you’ll work closely with the Head Chef to oversee daily kitchen operations, taking charge in their absence. You’ll set clear expectations, support the team through busy services and ensure every dish meets our standards for flavour, presentation and consistency.

Your Responsibilities Will Include

• Leading preparation and service, ensuring the kitchen operates efficiently and delivers food to a consistently high standard.
• Deputising for the Head Chef and providing clear direction to the kitchen team.
• Coaching and developing chefs, building their skills and confidence through practical support and feedback.
• Supporting menu planning, food production and the successful delivery of dishes.
• Managing ordering, stock rotation and portion control to reduce waste and support food cost targets.
• Assisting with rotas, recruitment and onboarding to maintain a capable, well-organised team.
• Maintaining food safety, allergen and hygiene standards, including accurate checks and documentation.
• Working with the wider team to respond to feedback and improve the dining experience.

About You

You’ll be an established Sous Chef or Senior Sous Chef with strong culinary skills and experience leading a kitchen team. You’ll be comfortable making decisions, prioritising workloads and maintaining standards during busy periods.

We’re looking for someone who communicates clearly, takes pride in their work and creates a positive, professional kitchen environment. You’ll understand stock management and food costs, bring a practical approach to solving problems and enjoy helping others develop.

Professional cookery qualifications, Food Hygiene Level 2 or 3 certification, and experience in contract catering or high-volume kitchens would be an advantage.

Benefits

We ensure you’re rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

• Free meals
• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families

About Us

Restaurant Associates provides brilliant hospitality through our food, drink and services. We work with our partners and collaborate with our clients to achieve great things together. Every day, our teams of passionate hospitality professionals strive for excellence in delivering employee dining and hospitality to some of the UK's leading workplace as well as inspiring exceptional experiences in iconic cultural and heritage destinations.

Job Reference: com/2610/44237001/52842603/SU #RA Group

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!