Sous Chef

Sizzling Pubs; Leighton Buzzard; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary up to £36k

Tronc bonus up to £5k

Flexible shifts

Meal discounts 33% off

Hotel discounts 33% off

Lifestyle Card discounts

Awards & birthday gift

Refer-a-friend bonus up to £1000

Job summary

The Red Lion in Water End is recruiting a Sous Chef to join Upham Inns’ team after a £400k refurbishment. You will lead service, mentor junior chefs and uphold high standards of flavour, consistency and presentation.

You’ll work closely with the Head Chef and have a clear development path toward Head Chef, with flexible shifts, meal discounts, hotel discounts, and access to a Lifestyle Card with 5,000+ discounts.

Qualifications

• At least one year's experience as a Sous Chef or Junior Sous Chef.
• Strong cooking and presentation skills.
• Calm, hands-on leadership for a busy kitchen.

Responsibilities

• Lead busy services and ensure each dish meets standards for flavour, consistency and presentation.
• Coach junior chefs on shift and develop their skills.
• Help manage rotas, stock control, and food ordering to run kitchen smoothly.
• Maintain safety, cleanliness and compliance with food safety and regulations.

Skills

Pub cooking

Leadership

Food presentation

Team coaching

Calm under pressure

Job description

Sous Chef – The Red Lion, Water End

Up to £36,000 per year + a share of tronc worth up to £5,000 annually

£400,000 refurbishment complete. A fresh chapter for The Red Lion. Your next step towards Head Chef.

The Red Lion has just completed a £400,000 refurbishment, and we’re looking for a Sous Chef to help make this next chapter one our guests will come back for. Think fresh pub food you’re proud to put your name to, a busy service that runs well and a team that enjoys working together.

You’ll be the Head Chef’s right hand, leading service, coaching junior chefs and taking real responsibility for how the kitchen runs. If you’re a Junior Sous ready to step up or an experienced Sous Chef looking for a fresh challenge, you’ll have a clear development pathway towards Head Chef with Upham Inns.

What’s in it for you?

• Up to £36,000 per year, plus a share of tronc worth up to £5,000 annually

• Flexible shift patterns

• Up to 33% off meals when off duty for you and up to six guests

• 33% off stays at our hotels and 20% off for friends and family

• A development programme with a clear pathway to Head Chef

• A free Lifestyle Card with access to over 5,000 discounts at local independents, national brands and online retailers

• Service awards and a birthday gift

• Refer-a-friend and chef recruitment incentives of up to £1,000

What you’ll do

• Work closely with the Head Chef and management team, taking the lead in the kitchen when the Head Chef is away.

• Lead busy services and make sure every dish meets our standards for flavour, consistency and presentation, working with Upham’s menus and recipes.

• Coach junior chefs on shift and give them the confidence to take on more responsibility.

• Help manage rotas, allocate work and keep food ordering, stock control and storage running smoothly.

• Keep the kitchen clean, organised and safe, and uphold food safety, fire safety, health and safety, licensing and employment requirements.

What you’ll bring

• At least one year’s experience as a Sous Chef or Junior Sous Chef.

• Strong cooking and presentation skills and a genuine love of great pub food.

• A calm, hands-on approach to leading a kitchen through a busy service.

• Clear communication and the ability to train and develop others.

• The right to work in the UK.

Upham Inns is a collection of individual premium pubs across Southern England. We’re proud to be the local people choose for fresh food, a warm welcome and a proper pub atmosphere. At The Red Lion, you’ll have the backing of the wider team and the chance to help set the standard from the start of this new chapter.