Sous Chef

Loungers plc; The Brampton; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus scheme

Overtime pay

Free meals on shift

Staff discount

Career progression

Job summary

Loungers plc is seeking a full-time Sous Chef to join Cappello Lounge’s kitchen team. You will support the Head Chef, lead shifts, and ensure every dish leaving the pass meets our high standards. This role offers real progression opportunities within a growing casual dining group.

Ideal candidates have experience as Sous Chef or Junior Sous Chef, are passionate about fresh ingredients, teamwork, and delivering great food, with a view to develop within the Loungers family.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Sous Chef or Junior Sous Chef.
• Ability to lead shifts and manage the pass responsibilities.
• Strong focus on food quality, hygiene and safety.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen shifts from prep to final plate, ensuring service runs smoothly.
• Support Head Chef and cover duties in their absence.
• Maintain high standards on the pass for quality, pace and cleanliness.
• Oversee stock, orders, waste and par management.
• Coach and develop teammates to improve cooking skills.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Team management

Food quality

Hygiene standards

Shift supervision

Job description

Overview

Were hiring a full-time Sous Chef to be part of the kitchen team at Cappello Lounge, a local café bar. Part of Loungers, proudly named Casual Dining Group of the Year 2026. With competitive salary, plus bonus, paid overtime and real progression opportunities, this is a great next step for an experienced hospitality sous chef, second chef or junior sous chef.

About the Sous Chef Role

Lounges are pretty special places, and what makes them so special is the brilliant people who work in them.

As Sous Chef youll be right at the heart of the Cappello Lounge kitchen; supporting your Head Chef, leading the team through each service, and making sure every dish that leaves the pass is something to be proud of. If you love real cooking, care about the people around you, and take pride in doing the small things brilliantly, youll fit right in.

Were a growing hospitality brand across England and Wales with over 300 sites and plenty of opportunity to grow with us. This could be the start of something really good.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary + bonus + overtime
• Permanent full-time role; 48-hour contract (40-hour contract option available)
• Overtime pay for every hour worked
• Achievable bonus scheme, paid twice a year
• Tips shared equally across the team, based on hours worked
• Free meal on every shift no matter the length
• Christmas and Boxing Day off
• Genuine career development with our in-house training courses and ‘Step-Up’ to GM/HC development programmes
• 50% discount on food and drinks from day one. Including alcohol across all our brands (Lounge, Cosy Club, & Brightside) from day one
• The most talked-about staff party in hospitality — Loungefest!
• Long service awards – Vouchers/Extra money
• Early access to your pay with Stream
• Emotional and practical support via the Licensed Trade Charity

What youll Do

• Lead kitchen shifts with confidence, keeping service smooth, organised and on spec from prep through to the final plate
• Be the Head Chefs right hand — supporting day-to-day operations, stepping up in their absence, and helping the kitchen deliver consistently strong results
• Set the tone for high standards on the pass, with a sharp eye for food quality, pace, cleanliness, hygiene and safety
• Take ownership of key kitchen routines including prep and par, stock control, waste, orders and effective shift handovers
• Coach and support the team around you, helping new and existing chefs build confidence, grow their skills and deliver great food every shift

What Youll Bring

• A passionate cook who takes real pride in fresh ingredients, clean specs, and food that goes out right every single time
• Someone the team can count on — you show up, youre on time, and you give it everything when youre there
• Someone who leads by example in the kitchen — setting the standard on the pass, supporting the team, and never cutting corners
• Confident taking ownership of a shift in the Head Chefs absence, from prep and par to stock management and shift handovers
• A team player who helps coach and develop the chefs around them and genuinely wants to see them improve
• Experience as a Sous Chef, Junior Sous Chef, or a talented Chef de Partie ready to take their next step

Ready to Apply?

We want to work with kind people so if you want to work hard, have fun and be part of the Loungers ride, wed love to have you. Click the link to apply and we look forward to chatting with you! Want to find out more? Check out our socials at @TheLounges