Sous Chef

Rudding Park; Harrogate; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Enhanced pay

Service charge up to £5,000 per year

Sick pay

Staff discounts on spa/dining

Annual leave up to 30 days

Overnight stay for probation success

Learning and development opportunities

WageStream access

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

Rudding Park in Harrogate is seeking an energetic Meetings & Events Sous Chef to lead the M&E kitchen team, supporting Head Chef and Development Chef. You will contribute to menu development, cost management, and staff training across events from conferences to weddings.

You will manage junior team members, ensure health and safety standards, and uphold the resort’s values while delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Qualifications

• Experience in a Meetings & Events kitchen environment.
• Ability to lead and train junior kitchen staff.
• Strong understanding of food safety and COSHH protocols.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, train and drive the team.
• Be open, flexible and ready for change.
• Collaborate with Head Chef to create on-trend menus.
• Use software for stock rotation and ordering; ensure food safety.
• Communicate feedback to the team positively.
• Control orders, deliveries and stock to meet food cost targets.
• Maintain kitchen hygiene and train junior staff to standard.
• Ensure health & safety/COSHH compliance by all team members.
• Support other chefs across the resort when needed.
• Maintain composure and give clear instructions under pressure.
• Be a reliable, hard‑working team player aligned with core values.

Skills

Team leadership

Food costing

Budgeting

COSHH & HACCP

Menu development

Communication

Tools

Ordering software

Inventory rotation system

Job description

We are not just hiring - we are looking for personalities that light up a room!

• How big is your smile?
• Do your eyes light up a room?
• Can you turn challenges into opportunities and guests into lifelong ambassadors

We believe that the best part of our team is the energy, positivity, and genuine smiles we share with every guest and team members.

We want to hear from you.

We are on the hunt for enthusiastic, positive, and energetic people who thrive on creating moments that guests will remember long after they leave.

The Rudding Park team's core purpose is to create timeless memories and instinctive care in exceptional spaces.

As a Meetings & Events Sous Chef at Rudding Park, you will play a key role in the smooth and successful running of our M&E kitchen, working closely with the Meetings & Events Head Chef and wider kitchen team. You will have the opportunity to gain experience across a variety of events and food styles, catering for everything from business meetings and conferences to weddings, marquees, birthdays, funerals and staff food.

You will also be expected to manage the junior team members, motivating and training them to ensure the food goes out to the highest standard and that all health and safety / COSHH protocol is followed.

You will need to have an understanding of our computer systems we use for ordering, rotating and food safety and have a good understanding of food costing to ensure budget targets are met.

You will play a key role in menu development working alongside the Head Chef and Development Chef to ensure the menus are up to date and on trend.

You will be working with a strong motivated kitchen team of experienced and passionate Chefs who promote collaboration and diligence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, train and drive the team
• Be open, flexible and ready for change, as the business demands
• Work alongside the Head Chef and Development Chef to create interesting, innovate and on trend menus
• Use our computer system for rotating and ordering of stock and food safety procedures
• Take information from the Head Chef and feedback to the team in a positive manner
• Control orders, deliveries and stock rotation to ensure correct stock levels and food cost targets are met
• Maintain kitchen hygiene standards at all times and train junior staff members to expected standards
• Follow all health & safety / COSHH protocol and ensure junior team members have a full understanding as well
• Work with other chefs across the resort offering help as required
• Thrive under pressure whilst giving out clear instructions
• Be a team player and who can respectfully communicate to the team
• Be reliable, hardworking, trustworthy and passionate in your work
• Do all the above whilst following the core values of Rudding Park.

In return for your hard work and commitment we offer:

• Enhanced pay
• Service Charge (Tronc) earn up to an additional £5,000 per year
• Company sick pay for up to 4 weeks
• A range of discounts including 50% off spa days and dining, not to mention preferential room rates for employees and family (subject to availability of course)
• Annual party, family fun days, and award dinners - we love to celebrate!
• Up to 30 days annual leave, increasing with length of service
• Complimentary overnight stay for you and a guest (including dinner, bed and breakfast with spa) when you complete a three month probation
• FREE food and drink; The Green Room is our team's dedicated space to chill out, when not 'on stage' looking after our guests. You'll find a range of hot and cold food options with different areas to relax, catch up with your 'co-stars' or watch TV.
• Investment in personal growth through Apprenticeship, Training Courses and Development Programmes. Dedicated Learning and Development Manager
• Can't wait until pay day? Wage Stream allows you to pay yourself when you need it!
• Hospitality Rewards include FREE Employee Assistance Programme from Day 1
• Local discounts on gym memberships
• Complimentary counselling sessions to support mental health
• Wellbeing App with a range of support such as podcasts, fitness videos, recipes
• AND MUCH MORE...........

CORE VALUES

Our Core Values shape our company culture and impact our business strategy. They help us create a purpose, improve team cohesion and create a sense of commitment in the workplace Empathy Caring and understanding about another person's perspective or circumstance Collaboration Working as a team, listening and supporting each other to reach our collective goal Drive The desire to achieve high standards at all times and keep going, no matter what challenges we encounter/face Trust Honest, reliable and accountable do what we say we'll do Passion A love for doing what we do, and doing it with positivity and enthusiasm.

About Rudding Park

A privately-owned luxury hotel, Rudding Park has 90 bedrooms and suites, a destination spa, three restaurants and a kitchen garden, private cinema, two golf courses and meetings and events venue. Set in 300 acres of landscaped gardens and woodland, Rudding Park is one of the most beautiful Harrogate hotels.

Rudding Park features the first Roof Top Spa in the UK and offers an extensive range hydrotherapy and thermal experiences. We offer an extensive range of treatments and guests can discover the Escape Zone - a peaceful and serene space to relax following a treatment. The Spa also offers an indoor swimming pool using natural waters from the grounds of Rudding Park, a Juniper Log Sauna, Rasul for traditional Moorish mud treatments, Retail Therapy, Hair Studio, Nail and Beauty Studio.