Sous Chef - New Opening

JKS Restaurants Ltd.; Greater London; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Lunch for 2 after probation

Up to 50% off dining across JKS

CODE App membership

Gym membership discount

Healthcare & wellbeing support

Job summary

Chaiyo Restaurants, in partnership with JKS Restaurants, is opening a landmark fine dining Thai concept in Central London. As Sous Chef, you will help lead the kitchen, delivering high-quality, innovative dishes and upholding Thai hospitality at the highest level.

You will work with the Head Chef on menu development, manage prep schedules, stock, budgeting and the day-to-day kitchen operations while training and motivating the brigade. Notable career growth awaits in this exciting opening.

Qualifications

• Previous Sous Chef or Junior Sous Chef experience in fine dining.
• Strong awareness of trends and seasonality of produce.
• Passion and knowledge of Thai/Southeast Asian cuisine.
• Creative approach with excellent attention to detail.
• Proven ability to manage, train and motivate a kitchen brigade.
• Experience scheduling and reviewing staff rotas.
• Knowledge of health and safety, compliance and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Deliver consistent, high quality and innovative dishes across operation.
• Support menu development with Head Chef.
• Assist in managing kitchen operation including prep schedules, stock control, budgeting and maintenance.
• Oversee day-to-day kitchen team management.

Skills

Sous Chef experience

Thai cuisine knowledge

Menu development

Kitchen operation management

Staff training & motivation

Job description

Experience - Previous experience as Sous Chef or above within a fine-dining restaurant. Knowledge of Thai cuisine is preferred.

Chaiyo Restaurants, in partnership with JKS Restaurants, is seeking a talented and passionate Sous Chef to help lead an extraordinary new chapter — a landmark fine dining Thai restaurant opening in Central London.

If you're ready to be part of one of the most exciting new openings in London's culinary scene, working alongside a world-class team committed to delivering exceptional food and genuine Thai hospitality at the very highest level, we want to hear from you.

Chaiyo Group

Chaiyo was born from Chef Luke Farrell's near two-decade love affair with Thailand — its food, its spirit, and its people. Having opened Plaza Khao Gaeng on Tottenham Court Road, Borough Market, Covent Garden, Speedboat Bar in Chinatown and Notting Hill. Chaiyo has built a reputation for restaurants that carry the true soul of Thai life into the heart of London. Each venue is an expression of a culture Luke has called home, celebrated through vibrant food, warm hospitality, and an infectious passion for sharing it all.

Central to Chaiyo's ethos is Luke's Ryewater Nursery in Dorset, where a growing collection of tropical greenhouses supplies the restaurants with the brilliantly fresh herbs and aromatics that are essential to genuine Thai cooking — an extraordinary commitment to quality and provenance that sets Chaiyo apart.
Now, in partnership with JKS Restaurants — one of the UK's most celebrated and ambitious restaurant groups — Chaiyo is taking a bold new step: a fine dining Thai concept with huge ambitions, set to become one of London's most talked-about openings

The Position

As Sous Chef, you will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of consistent, high quality and innovative dishes throughout the operation. You will play a key role in menu development, working closely with the Head Chef; you will assist in managing the overall kitchen operation, including prep schedules, stock control, budgeting and maintenance, as well as the day to day management of the kitchen team.

If you have the following, then we want to hear from you:

• Previous experience as a Sous Chef or Junior Sous Chef in a fine-dining restaurant;
• Strong awareness of trends and seasonality of produce;
• A passion and knowledge of Thai and/or South East Asian cuisine;
• A highly creative approach to your work with excellent attention to detail;
• Proven ability to manage, train and motivate a kitchen brigade;
• Experience scheduling and reviewing staff rotas;
• A working knowledge of health and safety, compliance and procedures;

This is a very exciting opportunity not to be missed for a talented Sous Chef eager to join a restaurant group with ambitious plans.

At Chaiyo, we believe in a culture that truly backs our people. Hospitality is a people industry, and we're committed to rewarding the hard work and loyalty that makes us who we are.

Award-Winning Workplace

• Recognised as one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026

Dining & Hospitality

• Lunch for 2 after probation
• Up to 50% off dining across JKS restaurants
• CODE App membership - Discount at some of the UK's best restaurants
• Discounted gym membership with up to 25% off at 4,000+ venues across the UK
• 24/7 Doctor & prescription services for peace of mind healthcare
• 8 free counselling sessions to support your mental wellbeing
• Employee Assistance Program providing confidential support when you need it
• Health, legal, money and debt support services available

Entertainment

• Up to 55% off cinema tickets
• Up to 25% off UK attractions (London Eye, Thorpe Park, SEA LIFE, and more)
• Up to 15% cashback at 70+ major retailers across the UK
• Wagestream - stream a portion of your pay earlier when you need it
• Access to financial advice to help with your financial planning
• Company donations for your involvement with charities

Special Occasions & Recognition

• Wedding gift & newborn care package - celebrating your big occasions
• Staff parties & long service awards recognising your commitment
• Employee referral scheme - earn up to £600 per referral
• Additional holiday for every year with us (rising to 30 days)

The Group

JKS Restaurants was founded by siblings Jyotin, Karam, and Sunaina Sethi in November 2008. Since its inception, the group has received critical acclaim and industry recognition, including 8 Michelin stars, 4 Michelin Bib Gourmands, a restaurant ranked among the World’s 100 Best Restaurants, and a spot in the Sunday Times Best 100 Places to Work 2026.

The JKS portfolio currently features Michelin-starred restaurants such as Trishna, Gymkhana, Kitchen Table, Sabor, Legado and Ambassadors Clubhouse; along with cult favourites Hoppers, Brigadiers, Berenjak, Plaza Khao Gaeng, Speedboat Bar, and Bibi.

JKS Restaurants offers a unique opportunity to pursue a career in fine dining or to develop within trend-focused casual cuisine, with opportunities across all disciplines for those looking to advance their careers within a people-focused, collaborative hospitality group.