Sous Chef - Pastry

Allscreens Nationwide Ltd; Horsham; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hotel stays discount

Food & beverage discount

Free meals on duty

Gym access

Wellbeing resources

Hospitality Essentials discounts

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

South Lodge, part of the Exclusive Collection, is seeking a Sous Chef in the Pastry team to lead with creativity and collaboration. You will support the Executive Chef, mentor junior chefs, and maintain high culinary standards across pastry operations.

The role emphasizes leadership, menu development, and a culture of continuous improvement within a luxury hospitality setting in the UK.

Qualifications

• Strong experience as Sous Chef or senior Chef de Partie in a premium hospitality setting.
• Leadership and mentoring ability.
• Excellent culinary skills and attention to detail.
• Solid understanding of kitchen operations, food safety, and allergens.

Responsibilities

• Support the Executive Chef/Head Chef in leading kitchen operations.
• Coordinate the brigade during service, ensuring dishes are delivered on time and to specification.
• Run the kitchen confidently in the absence of the Executive Chef.
• Coach and mentor Chef de Parties, Demi Chefs and Commis Chefs.
• Ensure excellent food safety, hygiene and allergen compliance across all kitchen areas.
• Support menu development and dish refinement to elevate the culinary offer.
• Manage ordering, supplier relationships, stock control and waste reduction.
• Monitor quality, portion control and presentation across all sections.
• Support a positive, professional and development-focused kitchen culture.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Calm under pressure

Food safety & allergens

Job description

South Lodge, a part of the Exclusive Collection, is home to a Michelin-starred restaurant, an award-winning spa, and the lakeside lodges, The Reeds, which offer a serene retreat where nature, luxury, and wellbeing meet. Together, they create an environment that embodies elegance, creativity, and meticulous attention to detail.

You will join as a Sous Chef within the Pastry team, that values leadership, creativity, collaboration, and pride in everything they do. Here, your ideas will be welcomed and your growth supported.

At South Lodge, we believe in rewarding our team for their passion and dedication. As part of our team, you'll enjoy:

• Great rates for stays across all our hotels and 50% discount on Food & Beverage dining
• Free meals while on duty
• Free access to the on-site gym and parking
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing resources
• Exclusive discounts and perks through Hospitality Essentials
• Opportunities for growth, learning, and internal movement within the Exclusive Collection

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Executive Chef / Head Chef in leading kitchen operations and maintaining high culinary standards.
• Coordinate the brigade during service, ensuring dishes are delivered on time and to specification.
• Run the kitchen confidently in the absence of the Executive Chef.
• Coach and mentor Chef de Parties, Demi Chefs and Commis Chefs.
• Ensure excellent food safety, hygiene and allergen compliance across all kitchen areas.
• Support menu development and dish refinement to elevate the culinary offer.
• Manage ordering, supplier relationships, stock control and waste reduction.
• Monitor quality, portion control and presentation across all sections.
• Support a positive, professional and development-focused kitchen culture.

Person Specification

• Strong experience as a Sous Chef or senior Chef de Partie in a premium hospitality setting.
• Confident leading service and coordinating a professional kitchen.
• Excellent culinary skills with strong leadership and mentoring ability.
• Solid understanding of kitchen operations, food safety and compliance.
• Calm, organised and solutions-focused during busy periods.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Committed to high standards, consistency and continuous improvement.

We are a certified B Corp, committed to sustainability and responsible business practices. At Exclusive Collection, we champion wellbeing, progression, and a culture where people who share our values can thrive.

As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applications from all individuals with the right to work in the UK. If you require any adjustments during the application process, please let us know.