Sous Chef - Spa Kitchen

Carden Park Hotel Ltd; Chester; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Service charge share

Accommodation discount

Food & drink discount

Spa access

Staff lunch

On-site parking

EAP

Leisure club access

Staff transport

Career progression

Qualifications funding

Outdoor discounts

Charity days

Job summary

Carden Park Hotel Ltd is seeking a Sous Chef to join our team at the 5* spa resort. You will lead kitchen operations, prepare high-quality fusion dishes, and support menu development across 8 kitchens while maintaining premium presentation and cost control.

The role requires 40 hours per week, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays. The salary is £34,200 plus service charge and paid overtime, with ample opportunities for progression within the hotel.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Sous Chef or in a senior kitchen role.
• Passionate about fusion cuisine and exploring different flavours.
• Creative and confident in bringing new ideas to the menu.
• Strong attention to detail in presentation and quality.
• Organised and able to stay calm in a busy kitchen.
• Natural leader who develops others.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook fresh, high-quality dishes with a focus on fusion cuisine.
• Support menu development with creative ideas and new flavour combinations.
• Work with fresh, seasonal ingredients to create nutritious and flavourful dishes.
• Maintain consistently high standards of presentation, quality and service.
• Help manage gross profit margins, stock rotation and kitchen costs.
• Maintain a safe, clean and hygienic working environment.
• Support and develop junior chefs and kitchen staff.

Skills

Fusion cuisine

Menu development

Quality standards

Attention to detail

Leadership

Teamwork

Calm under pressure

Staff development

Presentation

Job description

Role: Sous Chef

Hours: 40 hours per week to include evenings, weekends and bank holidays

Salary: £34,200 plus service charge and paid overtime

As a Sous Chef, you'll have previous experience working in a quality hotel or busy restaurant, with a passion for delivering consistently high standards.

Your day with Team Carden:

• Prepare and cook fresh, high-quality dishes with a focus on fusion cuisine.

• Support menu development, bringing creative ideas and new flavour combinations to our Spa menus.

• Work with fresh, seasonal and quality ingredients to create nutritious and flavourful dishes.

• Maintain consistently high standards of presentation, quality and service.

• Help manage gross profit margins, stock rotation and kitchen costs.

• Maintain a safe, clean and hygienic working environment.

• Support and develop junior chefs and members of the kitchen team.

About You:

• • Passionate about food, flavour and creative cooking.

  • Previous experience as a Sous Chef or in a senior kitchen role.

  • A genuine interest in fusion cuisine and exploring different flavours and culinary influences.

  • Creative and confident in bringing new ideas to the menu.

  • Strong attention to detail, particularly around presentation and quality.

  • Organised and able to remain calm in a busy kitchen.

  • A natural leader who enjoys supporting and developing others.

  • Positive, enthusiastic and a great team player.

  • Passionate about fresh, seasonal and nutritious ingredients.

Due to the rural location of Carden Park, applicants should have access to a vehicle or reliable transport methods.

The Perks of Team Carden

Join a team where you will work hard but have fun along the way. You will enjoy a variety of benefits being part of our team which include:

• Share of the service charge
• Discounted hotel accommodation for yourself, family and friends
• Discounted food and drink to enjoy in the hotel when not on shift
• Discounted use of our award winning 5* spa, alongside treatments and retail
• Free staff lunch provided
• Free on-site parking
• Access to EAP
• Free Golf and Leisure Club membership, including free use of the gym & swimming pool
• Free regular transport mini-bus from Wrexham
• Progression opportunities for all
• Career development through funded qualifications
• Discounted use of the outdoor pursuits facilities
• Two paid charity days per year

BePart of Team Carden

Providing world class service is at the heart of everything we do. You will be part of a creative, busy and energetic team of Chefs who cater for our guests across 8 kitchens throughout the resort. You will have good people management and cooking skills with sound financial awareness. You will be enthusiastic, a great team player with experience of working in busy kitchens and the ability to work calmly under pressure. As part of the Carden kitchen team you will need to have previous proven experience of working within quality establishments preparing and producing meals to the highest standard. This is an excellent opportunity to work in a luxury Spa resort and learning from an excellent Kitchen Brigade.

INDHP