Sous Chef

Head Chef; Dorney; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation assistance

Five straight shifts per week

Career progression within a growing餐厅

Job summary

Maidenhead Luxury Spanish Restaurant is actively seeking a Sous/Progression Chef to support day-to-day kitchen operations and lead a 5-6 person brigade. This role offers a clear pathway to Head Chef within 6-12 months for the right candidate, with responsibility for quality, menu input and service excellence.

You'll join a modern Spanish dining concept serving up to 450 covers, demanding strong organisation, technical ability and confident leadership. Accommodation assistance is available.

Qualifications

• Experience in fine dining, high-end restaurants, luxury hotels or premium hospitality.
• Strong culinary foundations and technical ability.
• Passion for ingredients, flavour and presentation.
• Experience leading a kitchen brigade during demanding services.
• Calm, organized, professional under pressure.
• Strong communication and team leadership skills.
• Hands-on leadership by example.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head Chef with day-to-day kitchen operations.
• Lead and motivate a brigade of 5-6 chefs; manage during Head Chef absence.
• Maintain exceptional standards of food quality, presentation and consistency.
• Assist with menu development and seasonal dishes.
• Oversee stock control, ordering and supplier management.
• Maintain HACCP, health & safety standards during service.
• Coach and develop junior team members; progress to Head Chef in 6-12 months.

Skills

Fine dining

Kitchen leadership

Menu development

Food hygiene/HACCP

Leadership under pressure

Team communication

Mentoring junior staff

Job description

Head Chef Progression - 6-12 Months

This role offers a clear progression pathway for an ambitious chef. For the right person, there is an opportunity to move into the Head Chef position within 6-12 months, subject to performance, leadership ability and demonstrating the required standards. You will work closely with the current Head Chef and gain valuable experience across kitchen leadership, menu development, food cost, stock control, ordering, team management and service operations.

The Role

Support the Head Chef with the day-to-day running of the kitchen. Lead and motivate a brigade of 5-6 chefs. Take responsibility for the kitchen in the Head Chef's absence. Maintain exceptional standards of food quality, presentation and consistency. Assist with menu development and seasonal dishes. Manage preparation and service and kitchen organisation. Support stock control, ordering and supplier management. Maintain excellent food hygiene, HACCP and health & safety standards. Ensure efficient service during high-volume periods of up to 450 covers. Coach and develop junior members of the brigade. Take increasing responsibility with a view to progressing to Head Chef within 6-12 months.

About You

• Experience within fine dining, high-end restaurants, luxury hotels or premium hospitality.
• Strong culinary foundations and excellent technical ability.
• A genuine passion for ingredients, flavour and presentation.
• Experience leading a kitchen brigade during demanding services.
• A calm, organised and professional approach under pressure.
• Strong communication and team leadership skills.
• A hands-on approach and the ability to lead by example.

What You'll Receive

• Up to £35,000 basic salary
• £43,000-£44,000 OTE including Tronc
• Clear progression to Head Chef within 6-12 months for the right person.
• Accommodation assistance available.
• Five straight shifts per week, on a rota basis.
• Opportunity to contribute to menu development and culinary direction.
• Career progression within a growing restaurant group.
• Opportunity to grow with a group currently operating two established sites, with a third opening next year.

The Opportunity

This isn't simply another Sous Chef position. It's an opportunity for an ambitious chef to join a quality-driven restaurant and work towards their first Head Chef position within a defined 6-12 month timeframe. If you've built your career in fine dining, Michelin, Rosette, luxury hotels or high-end independent restaurants and you're ready to take the next step, we'd love to hear from you. You don't necessarily need Spanish experience. You need high standards, strong technical ability, leadership potential and the ambition to become a Head Chef.

Job Description: Sous Chef - Luxury Spanish Restaurant Maidenhead | Up to £35,000 + Tronc | £43-44k OTE | Head Chef Progression. LJ Recruitment is supporting a luxury Spanish restaurant in Maidenhead in the appointment of an ambitious and talented Sous Chef, with a genuine opportunity to progress to Head Chef within 6-12 months for the right person. This is an exciting opportunity for a chef with fine dining, high-end restaurant or luxury hospitality experience who is ready to take the next step in their career and prove themselves at Head Chef level. The restaurant offers modern Spanish cuisine in a stylish and vibrant setting, with a tapas-led menu focused on quality ingredients, flavour, presentation and consistency. With the ability to serve up to 450 covers on busy days, this is a high-volume operation requiring strong organisation, technical ability and confident leadership. Spanish cuisine experience is desirable but not essential. The restaurant is open to chefs from fine