Sous Chef

Oli Aubrey-Thomas; West of England; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals

Staff discount

Company pension

28 days holiday

Development programme

Apprenticeship scheme

Masterclasses

Job summary

The Lock Keeper is seeking a dedicated Sous Chef to join our kitchen team in Keynsham, between Bristol and Bath. As Sous Chef you will lead, create, and drive fresh, high-quality dishes in a welcoming environment, reporting to the Head Chef.

You will shape menus, train staff, and contribute to daily specials while maintaining excellent service and strong kitchen controls. This role offers a development path and staff benefits in a historic riverside pub setting.

Qualifications

• Experience as Sous Chef or Senior CDP aiming for next step; natural leader with passion for fresh, quality food.
• Strong communication to lead and develop a team.
• Hands-on approach with ability to manage kitchen rota, training and health & safety.
• Creative input to design/deliver new dishes and daily specials.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop kitchen staff under Head Chef guidance.
• Plan and manage rota, training and health & safety protocols.
• Collaborate with Head Chef to design and implement new dishes.
• Maintain GP and labour controls through effective planning.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

Hands-on cooking

Communication skills

Health and safety

Creativity in menu design

Planning and organisational skills

Sales growth mindset

Job description

Sous Chef

About us:

The Lock Keeper is a traditional pub, located on the banks of River Avon in Keynsham, between Bristol and Bath. It is a grade 2 listed building with a beautiful large garden overlooking the river, a large decking area and a glass conservatory.

What we offer our Sous Chefs:

• Access to our Sous Chef - Head Chef development Programme: the majority of our head chefs are internal appointments
• Autonomy to create your own menus and specials, alongside your Head Chef
• Access to our Apprenticeship Scheme - Gain a nationally recognised qualification
• Access to regular culinary masterclasses and training days to boost your skills
• Free meals
• 20% discount in all Young’s pubs and hotels
• Share save Scheme
• Company Pension Scheme
• 28 Days Holiday per year

What we look for in a Sous Chef:

We are looking for an existing Sous Chef or Senior CDP looking for their next step, who considers themselves as a natural leader with a passion and flare for producing quality fresh food in an environment that makes people feel welcome. As the successful Sous Chef you will:

• Have experience championing excellent service through quality food
• Demonstrate a passion for leading and developing a team
• Be an active hands‑on Chef with excellent communication skills
• Be responsible and able to manage the kitchen staff rota, training and all health and safety effectively at all times
• Working alongside your Head Chef, you will be able to demonstrate your creativity and ability by helping to design and deliver new dishes for our menus and daily specials
• Demonstrate great planning and organisational skills, necessary to maintain effective controls with regard to both GP and labour
• Have a pro‑active approach to driving sales and delivering growth, through engagement with both kitchen and front of house teams