Sous Chef

Canal; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 1,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A vibrant waterside restaurant in Westbourne Park is seeking a talented Sous Chef to join their creative kitchen. The role involves leading the team, menu development, and maintaining high culinary standards. Candidates should have proven experience and a passion for seasonal cooking. This position offers a supportive team culture, opportunities for career progression, and great benefits including flexible shifts and staff discounts.

Benefits

Delicious team meals on every shift

Flexible shift patterns

£1,000 referral bonus

50% off dining at all locations

Enhanced parental leave

Up to 28 days annual leave

Free gym access

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Sous Chef or strong Junior Sous Chef in a high-quality kitchen.
• Passion for seasonal, European-inspired cooking with best produce.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen in service, ensuring consistent quality.
• Help shape and deliver menus based on seasonal produce.
• Support and mentor junior team members for growth.

Skills

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Ability to work under pressure

Proven culinary skills

Job description

Sous Chef required for Canal Restaurant - Westbourne Park

HAM. Restaurants is a group of independent and design‑lead restaurants and wine bars in Central London. Restaurants consists of Crispin, Bar Crispin, Bistro Freddie, Crispin x Studio Voltaire and Crispin Events & Catering.

From the team behind Crispin and Bistro Freddie, Canal is the newest addition to our growing family, a vibrant waterside restaurant and bar celebrating quality ingredients, seasonal cooking, music, and community. Set in a stunning West London location — located on the Grand Union Canal, inside the brand‑new Mason & Fifth hotel. Canal has quickly made its mark as a warm, buzzing space built on creativity, confident hospitality, and a passion for great food and wine.

We’re now looking for a talented and driven Sous Chef to take a key leadership role in our creative kitchen team. This is a brilliant opportunity for a chef who’s passionate about seasonal cooking, thrives in a fast‑paced, quality‑led environment, and is ready to help lead a small but ambitious kitchen in one of Westbourne Park’s most exciting food and wine spots.

Why You’ll Love This Role

As Sous Chef, you’ll be second‑in‑command in the kitchen, working alongside the Head Chef to deliver exceptional dishes and a smooth‑running service. You’ll play a hands‑on role in menu development, manage sections during busy services, and help lead and inspire a small, close‑knit team. If you’re looking to work with outstanding produce, take ownership of your craft, and grow as a leader, this is the role for you.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading the Kitchen in Service: Take charge during the Head Chef’s absence, ensuring consistency, pace, and quality in every dish.
• Cooking with the Seasons: Help shape and deliver a menu that evolves with the produce, focusing on bold, fresh, and balanced flavours.
• Training & Mentoring: Support and develop junior team members, creating a positive, learning‑focused kitchen culture.
• Quality Control: Maintain high culinary standards, ensuring every plate meets our expectations.
• Operational Excellence: Manage kitchen organisation, prep schedules, and section set‑ups to ensure smooth service.
• Food Safety: Oversee hygiene, allergen procedures, and health & safety compliance.
• Menu Development: Work with the Head Chef & Group Executive Chef to create and test new dishes, bringing ideas to the table.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience as a Sous Chef or strong Junior Sous Chef in a high‑quality, busy kitchen
• Passion for seasonal, European‑inspired cooking and working with the best produce available
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to motivate and support a small team
• Organised, proactive, and confident in managing service under pressure
• Strong understanding of kitchen operations, costing, and ordering
• A collaborative, hands‑on approach to leadership

What You’ll Get

• A supportive, inclusive team culture that values creativity and development
• Genuine opportunities for progression within a growing hospitality group
• Delicious team meals on every shift
• Flexible shift patterns (daytimes and evenings)
• £1,000 - refer a friend bonus
• 50% off dining across all HAM. Restaurant locations
• 20% off wine retail
• Access to Stream(formerly Wagestream) & flexible pay
• Enhanced parental leave (including paw‑ternity for pet parents)
• Up to 28 days annual leave, increasing with service (up to 36 days)
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme & wellbeing support via Wisdom App
• Free access to onsite gym, pool & spa

...and much more to come as we're just getting started! Get in touch now if you're looking to be a part of a growing independent restaurant group with opportunities to get involved in external projects and to progress within our small yet expanding group!