Senior Sous Chef

BAO; Greater London; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

6 shifts across 5 days

Paid overtime

Rotas released two weeks in advance

Up to 50% off food & drink

BAOcoin rewards

Trade price wine/meat suppliers

Job summary

BAO Shoreditch is seeking a Senior Sous Chef to help lead the kitchen team with care, clarity, and consistency. You’ll work with the Head Chef to deliver dishes to the highest standard and keep service running smoothly.

This is a key leadership role in a fast-paced, quality-led environment, with a focus on development and balance within a 6-shift week.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Senior Sous Chef or strong Sous Chef in a quality-focused kitchen.
• Calm, organised and detail-focused leadership on shift.
• Ability to guide a team and maintain high standards.

Responsibilities

• Support Head Chef in running smooth day-to-day kitchen operations.
• Lead service and maintain quality, consistency, and presentation.
• Manage prep schedules, ordering, stock, and kitchen organisation.
• Coach junior team members and foster a kind, capable kitchen culture.
• Assist with rota planning, costings, and food safety compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Kitchen operations

Quality standards

Team coaching

Job description

BAO Shoreditch is looking for a Senior Sous Chef to help lead the kitchen team with care, clarity, and consistency.

This is a key role in the day-to-day running of the kitchen - perfect for someone who takes pride in high standards and supports others to do their best work. You’ll work closely with the Head Chef, helping to set the tone on shift, guide the team, and keep service running smoothly.

At BAO, we believe in building kitchens where people can grow, with a 6-shift week to support better balance and a strong focus on development.

The Restaurant
Tucked into East London’s creative hub, BAO Shoreditch takes its cue from the bustling beef noodle shops of Taiwan - reimagined with a playful, London twist. Upstairs, guests enjoy rich bowls of beef noodle soup, signature BAOs, and a menu full of bold Taiwanese flavours.

Downstairs, there’s a bar and private KTV room, a unique space for late-night drinks, group dining, and the occasional singalong. It brings a fun, unexpected layer to the Shoreditch experience.

Like every BAO restaurant, Shoreditch has its own identity - energetic, characterful, and rooted in great food and service.

The Position

At BAO, we care about doing things properly - from the quality of our ingredients to how we run our kitchens. This role is all about consistency, standards, and leading by example. You’ll work closely with the Executive Chef to deliver our menus to the highest standard, manage the day-to-day kitchen operation, and support your team to do their best work.

This is a key leadership role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, quality-led environment and is looking to take the next step in their culinary career.

What you’ll be doing:

• Supporting the Head Chef in running smooth, efficient day-to-day kitchen operations
• Leading service and maintaining quality, consistency, and presentation across every dish
• Managing prep schedules, ordering, stock control, and kitchen organisation
• Coaching and supporting junior team members - helping build a kind and capable kitchen culture
• Assisting with rota planning, costings, and food safety compliance

What we’re looking for:

• Experience as a Senior Sous Chef or strong Sous Chef in a quality-focused kitchen
• Confident in kitchen systems and structure - you know what ‘good’ looks like
• A calm, organised and detail-focused approach to leadership
• Someone who leads with kindness, communicates clearly, and sets a great example on shift

The Benefits

We want working at BAO to feel like stepping into a warm, fluffy bao - soft, supportive, and full of good stuff. Here's what you'll get as part of the team:

Work-Life Balance

• 6 shifts across 5 days, with a maximum of one double shift
• Paid overtime
• Rotas released two weeks in advance so you can plan ahead

Growth & Development

• Personalised development plans tailored to your goals
• Access to School of BAO, a series of talks, workshops and fieldtrips
• Up to 50% off food and drink across all BAO restaurants and discounts across friends in the industry
• Access to curated wine and meat suppliers at trade prices

Rewards & Recognition

• BAOcoin - earn rewards for living BAO values, then spend them in the BAOshop
• BAO Pyramid Scheme - earn up to £500 for referring someone to join the team

Milestones

• Extra holiday and perks to celebrate work anniversaries and milestones

The Group

BAO quite literally means steamed bun. But BAO means so much more than that, a cult brand with a cult following that aims to inspire with design through food. Founded in 2013 by family trio, Erchen Chang, Shing Tat Chung and Wai Ting Chung in a carpark in East London to now spanning 7 restaurants across London, where each has its own story of Taiwanese Culture with unique experience, narrative and menu.

At BAO we seek people who warm our souls through cooking and hospitality. We strive to cultivate an environment where our design is inspiring, where our unconventional way of thinking bring humour and innovation; our detail challenges you to do your best.