Sous Chef

BAO; Greater London; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

6 shifts across 5 days

Paid overtime

School of BAO development program

Up to 50% off food and drink

BAOcoin rewards

Referral bonus up to £500

Job summary

BAO Shoreditch is seeking a Sous Chef to assist the Senior Sous and Head Chef in delivering high standards and a positive kitchen culture. You will lead services, manage sections, and mentor junior chefs to ensure consistency and efficiency in a fast-paced setting.

This role offers growth in a dynamic, Taiwanese-inspired kitchen with strong emphasis on teamwork, training, and excellent food presentation across all BAO dishes.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Sous Chef or Senior Chef de Partie in a quality-led kitchen.
• Calm, organised, and confident in leading sections and services.
• A keen eye for detail and a high standard of food presentation.
• A people-focused mindset - someone who enjoys supporting and developing others.
• Strong understanding of kitchen systems, prep, and service rhythm.

Responsibilities

• Support Head Chef with day-to-day kitchen operations.
• Lead sections and run smooth, well-paced services.
• Maintain consistency and quality across every dish.
• Support junior chefs with training, feedback and clear communication.
• Help manage prep schedules, stock control and ordering.
• Keep on top of food safety and kitchen standards.

Skills

Leadership

Calm under pressure

Organised

Attention to detail

People development

Food presentation

Tools

Kitchen systems

Stock management

Job description

BAO Shoreditch is looking for a Sous Chef to support the Senior Sous and Head Chef in leading a calm, consistent, and high-performing kitchen.

This role is ideal for someone who takes pride in doing things properly - someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, leads by example, and is ready to take the next step in their career.

The Restaurant
Tucked into East London's creative hub, BAO Shoreditch takes its cue from the bustling beef noodle shops of Taiwan - reimagined with a playful, London twist. Upstairs, guests enjoy rich bowls of beef noodle soup, signature BAOs, and a menu full of bold Taiwanese flavours.

Downstairs, there's a bar and private KTV room, a unique space for late-night drinks, group dining, and the occasional singalong. It brings a fun, unexpected layer to the Shoreditch experience.

Like every BAO restaurant, Shoreditch has its own identity - energetic, characterful, and rooted in great food and service.

The Position

As Sous Chef, you'll be a key part of the kitchen leadership team, supporting the Senior Sous and Head Chef in delivering excellent food, maintaining high standards, and helping the team stay organised and energised.

You'll lead services, manage sections, and play a hands-on role in building a strong kitchen culture. This is a great opportunity for someone who's passionate about food, organised under pressure, and enjoys supporting others to do their best work.

What you'll be doing:

• Supporting the Head Chef with day-to-day kitchen operations
• Leading sections and running smooth, well-paced services
• Maintaining consistency and quality across every dish
• Supporting junior chefs with training, feedback, and clear communication
• Helping manage prep schedules, stock control, and ordering
• Keeping on top of food safety and kitchen standards

What we're looking for:

• Experience as a Sous Chef or Senior Chef de Partie in a quality-led kitchen
• Calm, organised, and confident in leading sections and services
• A keen eye for detail and a high standard of food presentation
• A people-focused mindset - someone who enjoys supporting and developing others
• Strong understanding of kitchen systems, prep, and service rhythm
• A desire to grow in a supportive kitchen

The Benefits

We want working at BAO to feel like stepping into a warm, fluffy bao - soft, supportive, and full of good stuff. Here's what you'll get as part of the team:

Work-Life Balance

• 6 shifts across 5 days, with a maximum of one double shift
• Paid overtime
• Rotas released two weeks in advance so you can plan ahead

Growth & Development

• Personalised development plans tailored to your goals
• Access to School of BAO, a series of talks, workshops and fieldtrips
• Up to 50% off food and drink across all BAO restaurants and discounts across friends in the industry
• Access to curated wine and meat suppliers at trade prices

Rewards & Recognition

• BAOcoin - earn rewards for living BAO values, then spend them in the BAOshop
• BAO Pyramid Scheme - earn up to £500 for referring someone to join the team

Milestones

• Extra holiday and perks to celebrate work anniversaries and milestones

Celebrations

The Group

BAO quite literally means steamed bun. But BAO means so much more than that, a cult brand with a cult following that aims to inspire with design through food. Founded in 2013 by family trio, Erchen Chang, Shing Tat Chung and Wai Ting Chung in a carpark in East London to now spanning 7 restaurants across London, where each has its own story of Taiwanese Culture with unique experience, narrative and menu.

At BAO we seek people who warm our souls through cooking and hospitality. We strive to cultivate an environment where our design is inspiring, where our unconventional way of thinking bring humour and innovation; our detail challenges you to do your best.