Sous Chef

Star Pubs Recruitment Support; Reigate; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A new food-led country pub in the Surrey Hills is seeking a passionate Sous Chef to be part of the opening team. This role offers a salary of £29,000 – £35,000 with live-in options available. Ideal candidates should have strong cooking ability and a passion for quality ingredients. This is a unique opportunity to shape the kitchen from day one and develop professionally under a supportive Head Chef.

Qualifications

• Excited by the opportunity to build something from the ground up.
• Deeply care about ingredients, provenance, and seasonality.
• Desire to work in a respectful, calm, and professional kitchen.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day operations of the kitchen.
• Help establish kitchen culture, systems, and standards.

Skills

Strong cooking ability

Technical skill

Attention to detail

Job description

Sous Chef – Exciting New Pub Opening in the Surrey Hills Salary: £29,000 – £35,000 + TRUNC | Live-in or Live-out Options Available

We're looking for a passionate and talented Sous Chef to join the team of a new food-ledcountry pub near Reigate in the Surrey Hills. You don’t need to have worked as a sous chef before, this is the perfect job for an ambitious chef looking to progress their career and be part of a brand-new kitchen and play a key role in shaping its success from day one.

Our vision is to become one of the best food pubs in Surrey, serving seasonal, ingredient-led British food that’s generous, accessible, and rooted in outstanding produce. This isn’t fine dining or overcomplicated cooking - it’s about brilliant food, great hospitality, and consistency at the highest level.

Why this role? Be part of the opening team: You’ll join at the very beginning, helping to establish the kitchen culture, systems, and standards that will define the pub.

Learn and grow: You’ll work closely with the Head Chef, supporting day-to-day operations and gaining invaluable experience running a kitchen to the highest standards.

A supportive environment: This is a calm, respectful, and professional kitchen - the right place for someone who values teamwork, collaboration and learning.

Career progression: We’re looking for someone ambitious - perhaps a CDP or junior sous ready to take the next step. You’ll be working under a Head Chef who values mentoring, growth, and long-term development.

Pay and accommodation: £29,000 – £35,000 salary (live-out). Live-in options available, including a spacious three-bed apartment (family-friendly but not required) or self-contained units.

Couples welcome: Front of house opportunities are also available, making this a fantastic move for a couple looking to relocate together.

Location: Set in a picturesque Surrey Hills village, with nearby stations offering trains to central London in 30–50 minutes.

About you We’re not fixed on years of experience or a specific background — attitude, passion, and drive matter most. You’ll thrive here if you:

• Are excited by the opportunity to build something from the ground up.Care deeply about ingredients, provenance, and seasonality.Want to work in a respectful, calm, and professional kitchen.Have strong cooking ability, technical skill, and attention to detail.

This is a rare opportunity to join a new opening from day one and help shape what we believe will become one of Surrey’s best dining pubs.