Sous Chef

Knekt Hub Limited; Chichester; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A charming country inn in the South Downs National Park seeks a talented Sous Chef. You will support the Head Chef in managing kitchen operations, lead a small team, and contribute creative ideas for a daily-changing menu highlighting seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. This role offers a competitive salary and a supportive work environment focused on high-quality dining.

Benefits

Salary up to £35,000 plus approx. £10,000 tronc

Closed Mondays and Tuesdays

Focus on creativity and seasonal dining

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Sous Chef or strong Junior Sous in quality kitchens.
• Passion for cooking with locally sourced and foraged ingredients.
• Ability to motivate and lead a team in a hands-on manner.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head Chef in managing the kitchen.
• Lead service and ensure high-quality standards.
• Mentor junior kitchen staff and contribute to menu ideas.
• Uphold health, safety, and hygiene standards.

Skills

Cooking with seasonal ingredients

Team leadership

Creativity in menu development

High standards in kitchen operations

Job description

Overview

This historic, 350-year-old country inn with rooms is tucked away in a beautiful village in the South Downs National Park. With log fires, stripped floorboards, and a magical garden complete with its own vegetable patch, it offers guests a relaxed, characterful setting that has earned recognition in leading food and travel guides. Menus are kept small and ever-changing, showcasing seasonal produce, local suppliers, foraged ingredients, and the kitchen's own garden harvest.

We're looking for a talented Sous Chef to join the close-knit kitchen brigade. Working alongside the Head Chef, you\'ll play a key role in delivering a daily-changing menu, mentoring junior chefs, and ensuring smooth kitchen operations.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the Head Chef with day-to-day management of the kitchen
• Leading service and ensuring high standards on every plate
• Mentoring the Chef de Partie, commis chefs and KPs
• Contributing creative ideas for dishes, specials, and menus
• Upholding health, safety, hygiene, and stock management standards

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\u2019You\'ll be a chef with proven experience at Sous Chef or strong Junior Sous level in quality kitchens or gastro pubs. You\'ll thrive in a small, supportive team, with a passion for:

Qualifications / About you

• Cooking with seasonal, locally sourced, and foraged ingredients
• Leading and motivating a team in a positive, hands-on way
• Working to high standards in a relaxed, rustic environment
• Bringing creativity and ideas to a menu that changes daily

Benefits

• Salary: Up to £35,000 base + approx. £10,000 annual tronc
• Schedule: Wednesday to Sunday, mostly split shifts
• Time Off: Closed Mondays & Tuesdays, plus the business closes for all school half terms
• Team: Head Chef, Sous Chef, Chef de Partie, commis chefs and KPs
• Environment: Independent, award-winning inn with a strong focus on seasonality, creativity, and relaxed high-quality dining