Sous Chef

Wshgroup; Oxford; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

BaxterStorey in Oxford seeks a Kitchen Team Leader to assist the Head Chef in daily food preparation, production, and service. You will help protect food safety standards, supervise staff, and ensure excellent presentation of dishes for clients.

The role supports menu development, inventory control, and event catering, with a focus on teamwork and continuous improvement in a high-volume environment.

Qualifications

• Leadership and communication skills with ability to train and supervise staff.
• Strong knowledge of food safety standards and best practices.
• Ability to multitask and work under pressure in a high-volume kitchen.
• Commitment to teamwork and delivering high-quality dining experiences.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Head Chef in all aspects of food preparation, production, and service.
• Ensure the quality and presentation of all dishes meet the company's standards and client expectations.
• Supervise and train kitchen staff, ensuring adherence to food safety procedures.
• Assist in menu planning, considering dietary restrictions, nutritional guidelines, and seasonal ingredients.
• Oversee stock control and ordering to maintain inventory while minimizing waste.
• Collaborate with the catering team to execute events and culinary initiatives.
• Maintain a clean, organised kitchen following health and safety regulations.
• Support Head Chef in scheduling, budgeting, and maintaining food cost records.
• Stay updated on industry trends and techniques to enhance the menu offerings.
• Foster leadership, effective communication, and teamwork.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Teamwork

Food safety knowledge

Multitasking

Education

Culinary degree or relevant certifications

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Head Chef in all aspects of food preparation, production, and service.
• Ensure the quality and presentation of all dishes meet the company's standards and client expectations.
• Supervise and train kitchen staff, kitchen assistants, ensuring adherence to food safety and sanitation procedures.
• Assist in menu planning and development, taking into consideration dietary restrictions, nutritional guidelines, and seasonal ingredients.
• Oversee stock control and ordering to maintain appropriate inventory levels while minimizing waste.
• Collaborate with the catering team to execute special events, themed dinners, and other culinary initiatives.
• Maintain a clean and organised kitchen environment, always following health and safety regulations.
• Support the Head Chef in administrative tasks such as scheduling, budgeting, and maintaining records of food costs and inventory.
• Stay updated on industry trends, culinary techniques, and new ingredients to continuously enhance the menu offerings and overall dining experience.
• Foster a positive working environment by demonstrating leadership qualities, effective communication, and teamwork.

Previous experience working in a similar role within a contract catering company or educational institution preferred.

Culinary degree or relevant certifications from a recognized culinary institute.

Strong knowledge of food safety standards and best practices.

Ability to multitask and work efficiently under pressure in a high-volume kitchen environment.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required.

Fun and enthusiastic

Have excellent organisation skills.

Be a team player and enjoy succeeding as a team.

Have a flexible approach to work.

For almost 20 years, for every client, in every location (whether that's an office, stadium, cathedral or university), we have created beautiful spaces, exciting menus and friendly teams, so that each and every customer can have the hospitality experience they deserve.

We need the brightest and the best to join us to make this all possible. We will support you to create your hospitality legacy and build a career that you are proud of.

Our drive and belief in our people, means that we always strive to supercharge our team's careers. 'Better' is a daily habit that sits deep within our DNA, meaning learning will be front and centre of your experience working with us.

Join us, and be part of the food revolution!

BaxterStorey Values:

• ALWAYS VISIONARY We strive for better, we never settle, never compromise, never follow. We lead the way, blazing our own trail.
• WHOLEHEARTEDLY POSITIVE We are up-beat, motivating and inspiring. Our love for what we do radiates through our food, and is amplified by our people.
• CREATIVELY COLLABORATIVE We embrace our differences to push creativity and we work together to be better.
• FOREVER CONSCIOUS We work together as a team to lead by example, protecting the planet and supporting local communities.

Interested? Even if you don't meet all requirements, we'd like to hear from you. If you are motivated and hungry to learn, we can work together to develop your potential.

We are proud to be an inclusive employer and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We celebrate individuality and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applications from people of all ages, abilities, gender identities, sexual orientations, races, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds.