Sous Chef

Cairn Group; Darlington; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Join Cairn Group as a Senior Sous Chef and take charge of daily kitchen operations. You will lead a passionate team to deliver exceptional dining experiences, oversee food quality, and maintain excellent hygiene standards. With a focus on mentorship and professional growth, this role offers a supportive environment to excel in your culinary career.

Benefits

Get Paid in Real-Time

Discounted stays across venues

Food and drink discounts

Wellness spa discounts

Retail and cinema discounts

Career growth programmes

Superstar Awards

Long-Service Awards

Employee Assistance Programme

Pension Scheme

Qualifications

• Experience leading kitchen brigades and mentoring chefs.
• Strong culinary knowledge and commitment to food hygiene.
• Ability to thrive in high-pressure environments.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head Chef in leading daily kitchen operations.
• Oversee food quality and presentation standards.
• Mentor junior chefs and assist in menu development.

Skills

Leadership

Culinary knowledge

Food Safety

Teamwork

Communication

Job description

Hospitality Starts Here – Build Your Future with Cairn Group

Are you ready to grow your career in hospitality? At Cairn Group, we believe work should be rewarding, exciting, and full of opportunities to learn and develop. Whether you're creating unforgettable guest experiences or supporting your team, you'll be part of a friendly, supportive environment where your contributions are valued. With the opportunity to learn, develop, and be recognised, Cairn Group is a place where you can build a career, you’re proud of.

About the Role:

As Senior Sous Chef at Cairn Group, you’ll support the Head Chef in leading a passionate kitchen team to deliver exceptional food and an unforgettable dining experience.

You’ll take ownership of daily operations, deputising in the Head Chef’s absence, and ensuring high standards of consistency, quality, and presentation. From managing prep to overseeing service and mentoring junior chefs, your leadership will help create a positive, efficient kitchen environment.

You’ll also assist in developing menus, managing supplier relationships, and maintaining excellent food hygiene and safety standards across every service.

Benefits:

• Get Paid in Real-Time or build savings with Wagestream: Take control of your earnings. Track your pay live, access funds when needed, build savings and get expert financial tips—all in real-time.

• Stay, Relax and Recharge: Enjoy discounted stays across our all our venues. Treat yourself or bring your friends and family along for a well-earned break.
• Delicious Discounts: Indulge a little with discounts off food and drinks across our hotels, bars and restaurants.
• Spa Discounts: Self-care matters! Treat yourself with exclusive wellness offers at our spas and leisure clubs.
• Retail, Cinema & Fun Discounts: Enjoy exclusive access to savings on shopping, cinemas trips and fun days out.
• Rise with Us: From apprenticeships to leadership programmes, we support you to grow and reach your career goals.
• Superstar Awards: Your hard work deserves the spotlight! Each month we celebrate and reward our team members who showcase our values and bring hospitality to life.
• Long-Service Awards: Celebrate key milestones with us, starting from just one year of service—plus enjoy extra annual leave as a thank-you for your commitment.
• Recommend a Friend: Bring great people into the team and earn a bonus when they join!
• 24/7 Support: We’re committed to your wellbeing. Access our confidential Employee Assistance Programme anytime, anywhere.
• Bereavement Leave – When life gets tough, we ensure you have the time and support you need to be with your loved ones.
• Pension Scheme: Plan for your future with your pension plan, designed to help you build long-term security.
• Year-Round Incentives: Enjoy fun incentives, exciting challenges, and surprise perks throughout the year!

About You:

You will thrive at Cairn Group because you are:

• A Hospitality Hero – You inspire others with your passion for food and dedication to exceptional guest experiences.
• A Service Superstar – You consistently deliver high-quality dishes and support smooth kitchen service with confidence and flair.
• A Team Player – You motivate and guide your team, creating a supportive and high-performing kitchen culture.
• Cool Under Pressure – You remain calm, efficient, and focused during high-volume service and in unexpected situations.
• A Polished Professional – You uphold food safety and hygiene standards while presenting yourself with professionalism and pride.
• Proactive & Organised – You manage prep, stock, and service with efficiency, and support the Head Chef in planning and team coordination.
• Experienced & Motivational – You bring a wealth of culinary knowledge, with experience leading kitchen brigades and mentoring developing chefs.

About Us:

Cairn Group is a leading UK hospitality company with over 60 years of expertise in hotel acquisition, ownership, management, investment, and development. Our journey has been shaped by successful partnerships with global brands and a commitment to creating thriving, guest-focused properties.

At Cairn Group, our values - Respect, Integrity, Sustainability, and Excellence (RISE) - are at the heart of everything we do. We respect our team and guests, act with integrity, and invest in our people to build a sustainable future - for our business, our communities, and the planet. Every day, we work to deliver excellence, going the extra mile to create outstanding experiences for our guests.

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