Sous Chef - Lead Kitchen for New Site Launch (Catering)

Chartwells Independent; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Chartwells Independent is seeking an experienced Sous Chef to join our catering operation. You will work alongside another Sous Chef and the Head Chef to deliver high-quality food across hospitality, retail and production environments, supporting the mobilisation of a new building next year.

You will lead a busy kitchen, manage ordering, stock and costs, and help develop menus while maintaining excellent standards of food quality and service for a client-focused operation.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Sous Chef in contract catering, hospitality, events or multi-site environments.
• Strong understanding of contract catering operations in a client-focused setting.
• Experience across hospitality, events, retail and production food service environments.
• Operational knowledge: ordering, stock management, cost control and menu planning.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate a kitchen team in a fast-paced environment.
• Flexible, hands-on approach adaptable to different services.
• Genuine passion for food, hospitality and customer experience.

Responsibilities

• Support Head Chef with day-to-day running of busy contract catering operation.
• Work across hospitality maintaining high standards of food and service.
• Support hospitality and events, adapting to changing requirements.
• Take responsibility for ordering, stock control, inventory and cost management.
• Assist with menu development, seasonal changes, pricing and menu engineering.
• Lead, support and develop junior kitchen team members.
• Maintain high standards of food quality, presentation and service.
• Ensure health, safety, food hygiene and compliance standards are met.
• Help mobilise the new building next year, developing processes and kitchen operations.

Skills

Sous Chef experience

Contract catering

Hospitality & events

Stock management

Menu planning

Team leadership

Flexible hands-on

Customer-focused service

Job description

Chartwells Independent is seeking an experienced Sous Chef to join our catering operation. You will work alongside another Sous Chef and the Head Chef to deliver high-quality food across hospitality, retail and production environments, supporting the mobilisation of a new building next year.

You will lead a busy kitchen, manage ordering, stock and costs, and help develop menus while maintaining excellent standards of food quality and service for a client-focused operation.