Sous Chef

Houston and Hawkes - Chanel; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals on duty

Contributory pension scheme

Life assurance

Birthday off

Job summary

Houston & Hawkes is recruiting a Sous Chef to join a new Central London opening within a premium workplace. You will work with the Head Chef to craft a fresh, modern offer combining quality ingredients, seasonality and creativity.

The role spans workplace dining and high-end hospitality, from canapés to fine dining and events, with leadership responsibilities and a focus on consistency and quality in every service.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Sous Chef or junior sous chef for progression to next step
• Experience in premium contract catering or other high-quality fresh-food environment
• Experience across workplace dining and high-end hospitality
• Excellent cooking skills with a passion for fresh, seasonal food
• Confidence delivering fine dining, events and canapé service
• Creativity and eye for modern food presentation
• Strong organisation with calm leadership style
• Good commercial awareness including handling food cost and wastage
• Desire to develop and inspire other chefs
• Attention to detail and high standards across service

Responsibilities

• Support the Head Chef in delivering an exceptional culinary offer from day one
• Lead the kitchen across workplace dining and high-end hospitality
• Prepare and deliver fresh, seasonal food with outstanding flavour and presentation
• Support fine dining, events, working lunches and canapé service
• Contribute ideas to seasonal menus, specials and new concepts
• Take responsibility for kitchen standards and service in the Head Chef’s absence
• Lead, support and develop junior chefs
• Maintain consistency and attention to detail across every service
• Manage preparation, stock, ordering, portion control and wastage
• Work closely with the hospitality team to deliver events and client requirements
• Maintain excellent food safety, allergen, hygiene and compliance standards

Job description

SOUS CHEF

Great food, beautiful presentation and the opportunity to help create something genuinely special from the very beginning.

Houston & Hawkes is looking for a talented Sous Chef to join an exciting new Central London opening within an exceptional luxury workplace. Working closely with the Head Chef, you will help deliver a fresh, modern food offer where quality ingredients, seasonality and creativity are at the heart of every service.

From vibrant everyday dishes to elegant fine dining, beautifully executed canapés and high-end events, you will bring skill, consistency and real pride in food to everything you produce.

THE ROLE

• Support the Head Chef in delivering an exceptional culinary offer from day one
• Help lead the kitchen across workplace dining and high-end hospitality
• Prepare and deliver fresh, seasonal food with outstanding flavour and presentation
• Support fine dining, events, working lunches and canapé service
• Contribute ideas to seasonal menus, specials and new food concepts
• Take responsibility for kitchen standards and service in the Head Chef’s absence
• Lead, support and develop junior chefs
• Maintain exceptional consistency and attention to detail across every service
• Manage preparation, stock, ordering, portion control and wastage effectively
• Work closely with the hospitality team to ensure events and client requirements are delivered seamlessly
• Maintain excellent food safety, allergen, hygiene and compliance standards

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

• Strong experience as a Sous Chef or an exceptional Junior Sous Chef ready for the next step
• Experience within premium contract catering or another high-quality fresh-food environment
• Strong experience across workplace dining and high-end hospitality
• Excellent cooking skills and a genuine passion for fresh, seasonal food
• Confidence delivering fine dining, events and canapé service
• Creativity and a strong eye for modern food presentation
• Excellent organisation and a calm, positive leadership style
• Good commercial awareness with an understanding of food cost, stock and wastage
• A genuine desire to develop and inspire other chefs
• Exceptional attention to detail and consistently high standards

WHY JOIN HOUSTON & HAWKES?

• £40,000 per annum
• 40 hours per week
• Monday to Friday
• The opportunity to help shape an exceptional new opening
• Birthday off every year
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Free meals on duty
• Contributory pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• CODE Hospitality membership
• Exclusive masterclasses with award-winning chef Sally Abé
• Foodie Socials bringing our chefs together to explore new flavours, techniques and ideas
• Ongoing learning, development and genuine career progression
• Summer Awards Party celebrating our people and achievements
• An unforgettable Christmas Party at one of London’s outstanding venues

ABOUT HOUSTON & HAWKES

Houston & Hawkes is an award‑winning independent caterer creating vibrant, creative and exceptional food and hospitality experiences across some of the UK’s most prestigious workplaces.

We’re a Certified B Corp, recipient of the King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development 2026 and proud to be ranked No. 14 in The Caterer’s Best Places to Work in Hospitality.

If you are a Sous Chef who loves great food, takes pride in every plate and wants to help create an outstanding food offer within a very special new opening.