Sous Chef

The Duchess of Kensington; Greater London; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary + bonus

Brand new opening

Training and development

Career progression and promotions

Pub discount scheme

Team trips and incentives

Free meals during shift

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Referral scheme (up to £1000)

Birthday day off

Cycle to work

Job summary

The Duchess of Kensington is seeking an outstanding Sous Chef to join London's heart of Kensington. You will work in a fast-paced, all-day kitchen delivering elevated pub classics with a premium seasonal twist.

This role offers training, development, and clear career progression in a renowned independent pub company. Be part of a busy team in a brand-new opening and enjoy staff meals and discounts across our pubs.

Qualifications

• Experience in gastro pubs and leading a kitchen team.
• Ability to work with Head Chef and manage service in their absence.
• Passion for fresh premium and seasonal products.

Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen team in the Head Chef's absence to ensure service standards.
• Train and develop the kitchen team to excite customers.
• Assist the General Manager and Head Chef with menu development and sales opportunities.
• Prepare and present dishes to a high standard of presentation throughout the day.

Skills

Team leadership

Training staff

Food safety

Menu development

Kitchen operations

Job description

We are looking for an outstanding and talented Sous Chef to join our the team at the The Duchess of Kensington is an elegant pub located in the heart of Kensington, a stone’s throw from the Royal Albert Hall.
Offering a menu of elevated pub classics, strong passing trade and the draw of a nearby landmarks, expect a fast-paced all-day trade with a high food mix giving way to wet led evening in Kensington’s newest and most stylish pub.

Welcome to London's biggest independent pub company !

Urban Pubs & Bars was founded in 2014 and has since expanded to an estate of over 67 pubs, bars and restaurants across London.

In 2018, Urban Pubs & Bars was ranked number 28 in the Sunday Times Virgin Atlantic Fast Track 100 list, recognising Britain's private companies with the fastest-growing sales. We were then nominated for 2 Publican Awards in 2020, winning the award for ‘Best Managed Pub Company - 2-50 sites’ on the night. In 2021, Urban was awarded 'Best Food-led Pub Company 2021' at the R200 awards, Urban once again won ‘Best Managed Pub Company - 2-50 sites’ in 2023 and most recently won ‘Best Managed Pub Company - 2-50 sites’ and Best food offering in 2026 and In 2025 & 2026 we were recognised by Sunday Times in the Top 100 Companies to work for.

This amazing opportunity is ideal for someone who loves working with fresh premium and seasonal products and preferably experience within gastro pubs; loves working in a busy kitchen; understands and delivers a perfect service with or without the Head Chef present; can lead the kitchen team to success consistently and is excited by innovation and change to secure outstanding results for the business.

You Are:

• Able to take responsibility for our kitchen team in absence of the Head Chef to ensure service, safety and security expectations are all met to the the highest of standards
• Passionate about training our team to ensure they have the knowledge needed to excite our customers and deliver outstanding food
• Able to work with the Head Chef to train and uphold the agreed standards
• Able to assist the General Manager and Head Chef in identifying potential opportunities and products to maximise sales and enhance the customer experience
• Able to prepare and present all our food dishes to an outstanding standard of presentation as appropriate for the day of the week and time of day
• Able to support the Head Chef in the development, implementation and review of the menu to maximise sales in line with pub vision and business plan

What's in it for me:

• Competitive salary + bonus
• Be part of a brand new opening
• Training and development
• Career progression and promotion opportunities with regular new openings around the corner
• Get out and about, you automatically get discounts across all our pubs, bars and restaurants
• Team trips, regular incentives and socials – a fun, family atmosphere
• Goes without saying, but we’ll feed you during your shift
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support you across those tough times
• Good people know good people - an awesome referral scheme where you canearn up to £1000per successful referral
• Birthdays are for celebrating, so have the day off on us
• Cycle to work scheme