Sous Chef - Fresh Food Canalside Pub

Craft Locals - The Grand Junction Arms; Tring; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

50% off food across the group

20% off drinks across the group

28 days holiday

Staff discount

Team socials

Job summary

Craft Locals is hiring a Sous Chef near Tring to lead a fresh-food kitchen and contribute to menu development in a busy, pub-led environment. You’ll work closely with the team to maintain high standards while driving costs and margins. The role offers progression toward Head Chef as you grow with the group.

Competitive hourly pay of £14.50–£16.10 plus a share of card tips, with group-wide perks and generous holidays. An exciting opportunity in a growing independent pub group by the canal.

Qualifications

• Experience in fresh-food pubs or restaurants at Sous level or strong Junior Sous ready to step up.
• A creative chef with good organisation and planning skills.
• Skilled in costing dishes and managing margins.
• Knowledgeable and trained in HACCP and food safety.
• A leader with a positive attitude who motivates the team.
• Ambitious and eager to progress to Head Chef in the future.

Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen team in the absence of the Head Chef.
• Guide, support and train junior chefs.
• Assist in menu development and create specials.
• Manage stock, ordering and food margins effectively.
• Maintain HACCP and all food safety compliance.
• Help manage labour costs and kitchen financial performance.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

Food costing

HACCP compliance

Job description

Sous Chef

£14.50–£16.10 per hour (equivalent to £33,900–£37,700 per year) + share of card tips

About us

We are looking for a passionate Sous Chef who wants to develop their career and showcase their skills. At Craft Locals, we give our chefs the platform to grow, with clear progression to running their own kitchen in the future.

Tucked away by the canal at Bulbourne, just outside Tring, the Grand Junction Arms is a destination for those who love proper pubs. Whether you’re arriving from the Chiltern Hills, cycling along the towpath, or making the short trip from London by train, you’ll always find a warm welcome.
With vast gardens, outdoor bars and plenty of space to enjoy long summer days by the water, the Grand Junction is made for big gatherings and lazy afternoons. Inside, you’ll discover a buzzing pub atmosphere, with a great range of craft beers, cask ales, premium spirits and a carefully chosen wine list.
Our kitchen serves fresh, seasonal menus built around traditional pub favourites, elevated with local produce and contemporary touches. Every dish is cooked to order, with daily specials and sharers designed for lively tables.
As one of Hertfordshire’s best-kept secrets, the Grand Junction Arms combines the character of a classic canalside inn with the energy of a modern, food-led pub. Whether you’re here for a weekend feast, a pint in the garden or one of our summer events, it’s a place to eat, drink and make memories.

This is your chance to join a growing independent pub group, take on responsibility in a fresh-food kitchen, and build your career in a supportive environment.

What’s in it for you

• Pay: £14.50–£16.10/hr (equivalent to £33,900–£37,700/year)
• Tips: Share of card tips
• Perks: 50% off food & 20% off drinks across the group, 28 days holiday, staff discount, team socials
• Training: Supplier visits, brewery trips, leadership development and menu design opportunities
• Autonomy: Input into specials and menus, with the freedom to showcase your skills
• Progression: Clear pathway to Head Chef

What you’ll be doing

• Leading the kitchen team in the absence of the Head Chef
• Guiding, supporting and training junior chefs
• Assisting in menu development and creating specials
• Managing stock, ordering and food margins effectively
• Maintaining HACCP and all food safety compliance
• Helping to manage labour costs and kitchen financial performance

What we’re looking for

• Experience in fresh-food pubs or restaurants at Sous level or strong Junior Sous ready to step up
• A creative chef with good organisation and planning skills
• Skilled in costing dishes and managing margins
• Knowledgeable and trained in HACCP and food safety
• A leader with a positive attitude who motivates the team
• Ambitious and eager to progress to Head Chef in the future

This is your chance to take on real responsibility, influence the menu, and grow your career in a food-led, independent pub group.

Craft Locals is a growing group of people-focused pubs, dedicated to delivering exceptional food, well-kept cask ale, and memorable guest experiences. We believe great pubs start with great teams, and we invest in our people - giving them the support, training, and tools they need to shine.
We've built systems that make running a pub straightforward and compliant, so our teams can focus on what really matters: welcoming guests and delivering an outstanding experience. From reservations to stock, scheduling to events, we use a suite of best-in-class tools - including AllGravy, MarketMan, Harri, S4Labour, Lightspeed, Trail, FoodAlert and SevenRooms - to simplify operations and keep everything running smoothly.
At Craft Locals, we're proud to combine a love of people, food, and drink with smart systems and strong support - creating pubs that teams enjoy working in and guests love visiting.