Senior Sous Chef

Estelle Manor; North Leigh; On-site; GBP 39,661 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Exclusive staff rates

Biannual company socials

Uniform provided and fitted

Health and pension benefits

28 days holiday including bank holidays

Job summary

A luxury rural retreat in Oxfordshire seeks a Senior Sous Chef to support the Head Chef in managing kitchen operations. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership, culinary creativity, and exceptional communication skills. Responsibilities include overseeing daily operations, developing innovative menus, and maintaining health and safety standards. This position offers competitive on-target earnings and various perks to support well-being and growth within the company.

Qualifications

• Experience managing kitchen operations and staffing.
• Ability to train and mentor kitchen team members.
• Strong communication skills for inter-departmental coordination.

Responsibilities

• Support Head Chef in managing daily kitchen operations.
• Create and develop innovative menu ideas.
• Ensure compliance with food health & safety standards.

Skills

Team leadership

Communication

Culinary creativity

Operational management

Attention to detail

Job description

Estelle Manor is a rural retreat set on an 85-acre estate in Oxfordshire. The manor has four restaurants, an extraordinary 3,000 sq metre Roman-inspired spa- Eynsham Baths, 108 bedrooms and a gym with class studios and padel courts. Plus, there’s a kids’ club for the little ones and a workspace. As the countryside companion to Maison Estelle, the manor is also a ‘hosted home’, bringing people together that have plenty to say and nothing to prove.

As Senior Sous Chef, you will support the Head Chef in leading the kitchen, ensuring the highest standards of food quality, consistency, and safety. You will take pride in every dish leaving the pass while inspiring and developing your brigade, creating a positive and high-performing kitchen environment. A passion for exceptional food and memorable guest experiences is essential.

The role sits within The Brasserie, our vibrant all-day dining restaurant serving seasonal favourites from breakfast through to dinner. The menu celebrates comforting classics, from locally sourced Mayfield eggs at breakfast to Oxford cheddar soufflé and our signature beef Wellington. With the neighbouring Orangery and a south-facing terrace overlooking the grounds, the space combines hand-painted motifs and bleached wood panelling to create a bright yet refined setting for members and guests.

Open Monday to Sunday for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, The Brasserie is a lively and welcoming space, with families welcome until 8pm.

The on target earning potential for this role is £50,000-£54,000 per annum OTE based on a 45 hour contract - comprising a base salary of £39,661. plus a qualified estimate of £12,000- £15,000 in gratuities and service charge*.

Here’s a bit more detail on what we see you doing in this role:

• Assisting the Head Chef to oversee and manage the daily operations within the kitchen
• Delivering on the food concept vision and helping to develop innovative menus ideas, identifying new culinary opportunities within Estelle Manor.
• Updating briefs across departments on menu items, communicating all relevant provenance, allergens, nutritionals and other distinctive information.
• Overseeing budget and operations, assisting and engaging with the kitchens senior leadership team to manage all food health & safety standards.
• Standing in for the Head Chef in absence, feeling empowered to make managerial decisions within the kitchen's operations, ultimately being responsible for the quality of all items leaving the kitchen.

Who we are looking for?

• A team orientated, positive, driven, organised and solution focused leader.
• You are an inspiring leader who relishes taking responsibility for training and mentoring the team.
• Excellent communication and training skills.
• Someone who has worked in a rotational role on all sections of the kitchen.
• Experience managing the daily operations, set up, standards, operating procedures.
• Ability to perform under pressure and deliver results to deadlines.
• Someone who takes responsibility and initiative to explore issues and to generate new ideas with creative thinking.
• Passionate about delivering exceptional guest experience with keen attention to detail.

What’s in it for you?

At Estelle, we prioritize your well-being and growth, offering a range of perks to enrich your experience. Enjoy exclusive staff rates, biannual socials, and Birthday Wheel surprises. Nurture your well-being with stocked colleague spaces and daily Smart Fridges. Engage in forums shaping The Estelle Way and utilise the provided uniforms and onsite seamstress support. Join us for a fulfilling journey where you are valued, supported, and celebrated.

Here at Estelle, we want to create a unified culture and sense of belonging across both Estelle Manor and Maison Estelle. We have a range of perks and benefits at your fingertips:

• Biannual company socials plus smaller social and sports groups.
• Exclusive staff rates and F&B discounts across sister properties.
• Estelleversary and Birthday Wheel gifting for all employees (including overnight stays and dinners).
• Colleague spaces stocked with food, drinks and locally sourced coffee.
• Seasonal, daily stocked Smart Fridges with freshly prepared meals while on shift.
• Added protection of our pension, health cash plan and life assurance schemes.
• 28 days holiday, inclusive of bank holidays, which increases with length of service.
• Colleague Forums and Sustainability Committees to help create The Estelle Way.
• Uniform provided, cleaned, and pressed.
• Onsite seamstresses to ensure your uniform is fitted and repaired.

About gratuities & service charge:

• Gratuities (tips) are paid on a pro-rata basis regardless of your role.