SOUS CHEF

Hargreaves Enterprises Ltd; Bowness-on-Windermere; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals on shift

Discounts across Hargreaves venues

Company pension

Company events

Employee mentoring programme

Health and wellbeing programme

Ongoing training and development

Industry qualifications and career pro

Supportive management team

Growth within a local hospitality team

Job summary

Lake View Garden Bar in Bowness-on-Windermere is seeking a Sous Chef to support the Head Chef, lead the kitchen team and keep service moving in a fast-paced, high-volume setting.

The role is part of Hargreaves Enterprises, a local multi-venue hospitality group. You will ensure prep, hygiene and presentation standards while mentoring junior staff and driving consistency across seasonal service.

Qualifications

• Previous kitchen experience is essential.
• Sous Chef or Junior Sous Chef experience preferred.
• Strong communication and teamwork.
• Ability to stay calm and organised under pressure.
• Knowledge of prep, service flow and kitchen organisation.
• Level 2 Food Safety preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head Chef in day-to-day kitchen operations.
• Run shifts when required.
• Lead the team during service and keep the kitchen organized.
• Prepare and deliver food consistently during high-volume service.
• Manage prep, section setup and service flow.
• Support stock control, ordering and waste reduction.
• Maintain food quality, portion control and presentation standards.
• Train and support junior kitchen staff.
• Ensure hygiene, allergen and health & safety standards are followed.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Calm under pressure

Team leadership

Food safety

Job description

Lake View Garden Bar is one of the busiest venues in Bowness-on-Windermere, with a large outdoor terrace, strong footfall, food service, drinks service and a lively atmosphere throughout the season.

When the weather is good, the venue gets busy quickly. The kitchen needs to be organised, well-prepped and able to deliver consistent food at pace.

We are looking for a Sous Chef who can support the Head Chef, help lead the team, and keep service moving when the pressure builds.

This role is ideal for someone with solid kitchen experience who is ready to take real responsibility within a busy, high-volume hospitality business.

About Hargreaves Enterprises

Lake View Garden Bar is part of Hargreaves Enterprises, a local multi-venue hospitality business based in Bowness-on-Windermere.

Our venues include Lake View Garden Bar, BAHA, The Fizzy Tarté and The Cranleigh Boutique Hotel. Each venue has its own identity, but they all rely on strong teams, high standards and people who care about delivering a great guest experience.

We are not a chain. We are a local business with busy venues, real progression opportunities and a team-focused approach.

About the Sous Chef role

As Sous Chef at Lake View Garden Bar, you will support the Head Chef with the day-to-day running of the kitchen.

This is not a quiet kitchen. Lake View Garden Bar is busy, seasonal and fast-moving. You will need to stay organised, lead by example, and help keep standards high from prep through to the end of service.

You will be expected to support the kitchen team, run shifts when required, keep sections organised, and help make sure food is delivered consistently during high-volume service.

What you’ll be doing

Supporting the Head Chef in the day-to-day running of the kitchen

Running shifts when required

Leading the team during service and keeping the kitchen organised

Preparing and delivering food consistently during high-volume service

Managing prep, section setup and service flow

Supporting stock control, ordering and waste reduction

Helping maintain food quality, portion control and presentation standards

Supporting GP control through good organisation and reduced waste

Training and supporting junior members of the kitchen team

Keeping the kitchen clean, structured and compliant

Ensuring food hygiene, allergen and health & safety standards are followed at all times

Communicating clearly with the front-of-house team during service

What we’re looking for

We are looking for someone with previous kitchen experience who can take responsibility, support the Head Chef and help lead a busy kitchen.

You will need:

Previous kitchen experience is essential

Previous Sous Chef or Junior Sous Chef experience is preferred

Strong Chef de Partie candidates may be considered if ready to step up

Experience working in a busy, fast-paced kitchen

Confidence running a section and supporting service

Ability to stay calm and organised under pressure

Strong communication and teamwork

A hands-on approach and willingness to get stuck in

Good understanding of prep, service flow and kitchen organisation

Strong food safety and hygiene knowledge

Level 2 Food Safety preferred

Availability for evenings, weekends, bank holidays and peak periods

Your employee package

Full-time, permanent role

Staff accommodation may be available for the right candidate

Free meals on shift

Discounts across Hargreaves Enterprises venues

Company pension

Company events

Employee mentoring programme

Health and wellbeing programme

Ongoing training and development

Industry qualifications and progression opportunities

Supportive management team

Opportunity to grow within a busy local hospitality business

Training and development

We offer in-house training and development across the business, with opportunities to build skills, gain further qualifications and progress within our venues.

For the right person, this role can offer more than just a Sous Chef position. It is an opportunity to join a busy kitchen, build confidence as a leader, and grow within a local hospitality group.

Discover more about us:

@thefizzytarte | thefizzytarte.com

@bahabowness | bahabowness.com

If you have strong kitchen experience, enjoy a fast-paced service, and are ready to support the Head Chef in leading a busy kitchen, we would like to hear from you.