Sous Chef

Kew Green Hotels; Bletchley; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounts on hotel stays

Gym, pools and leisure facilities

Wellbeing support 24/7

Job summary

Kew Green Hotels is seeking an aspiring kitchen leader to support a high-quality, efficient kitchen operation. You will work with the Head Chef to guide the team, uphold food safety standards and drive guest satisfaction across all dishes.

In this role you will coach staff, manage portions and waste, assist with stock control and contribute ideas to improve performance. The company offers apprenticeships and a development programme, plus hotel discounts and wellbeing support.

Qualifications

• Experience at Sous Chef or strong Chef de Partie level in a fast-paced kitchen.
• Solid understanding of produce and ingredients.
• Strong leadership, coaching and teamwork abilities.

Responsibilities

• Step into a leadership role in the absence of the Head Chef and support day-to-day kitchen leadership.
• Collaborate with Head Chef on menu planning to drive quality and guest appeal.
• Ensure all food is prepared, presented and served to brand standards and food safety requirements.
• Train and coach the team, developing skills and enabling the creation of specials.
• Monitor portion, waste, and labour productivity to maintain margins.
• Assist with stocktakes, ordering and stock control to minimise waste and support profitability.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, organisation and compliance across the kitchen.
• Contribute ideas to improve kitchen performance and guest experience.

Skills

Leadership potential

Team coaching

Food safety awareness

Profit margin awareness

Communication skills

Job description

We're looking for a driven and ambitious Sous Chef to support the delivery of a high-quality, efficient and profitable kitchen operation. Working closely with the Head Chef, you'll play a key role in leading the team, maintaining standards and ensuring every dish contributes to a great guest experience. About the Role You'll support the day-to-day leadership of the kitchen, ensuring high standards of food quality, safety and team performance. Key responsibilities include:

• Stepping into a leadership role in the absence of the Head Chef.
• Working alongside the Head Chef on menu planning and implementation to drive quality and guest appeal.
• Ensuring all food is prepared, presented and served to brand standards and meets food safety requirements.
• Training and coaching your team, developing their skills and supporting them to successfully create a range of specials.
• Monitoring portion and waste control in addition to labour productivity to maintain profit margins.
• Supporting stocktakes, ordering and stock control to minimise waste and support profitability.
• Maintaining high standards of cleanliness, organisation and compliance across the kitchen.
• Contributing ideas and feedback to improve kitchen performance and guest experience., Career development through fully funded apprenticeships and our internal development programme.
• Discounts on hotel stays and a variety of major retailers, restaurants and days out.
• Free use of our gyms, pools, and leisure facilities.
• 24/7 access to wellbeing, financial, and legal support.

You're an aspiring kitchen leader with a passion for food, people and performance. You're ready to take on more responsibility and develop your leadership capability. We're looking for someone who brings:

• Experience at Sous Chef or strong Chef de Partie level in a fast-paced kitchen.
• A solid understanding of produce and ingredients, and the ability to influence profit margins.
• A good understanding of kitchen operations, food safety and compliance standards.
• Strong leadership potential, with the ability to coach, motivate and influence others.
• A proactive, hands-on approach and willingness to step up when needed.
• Commercial awareness, with an understanding of cost control and waste reduction.
• The ability to perform under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• A positive, can-do attitude and a desire to progress your career.

At Kew Green Hotels, we're committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

Kew Green Hotels is one of the UK's leading hotel management companies, operating a diverse portfolio of global brands. We're a people-driven business that's passionate about performance, guest experience, and creating hotels and teams that make us proud.