Sous Chef - Stretford

Lounge Underwear Ltd.; Manchester; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Full-time role

Overtime pay

Bonus scheme

Tips share equally

Free meal on every shift

Holiday off (Christmas/Boxing Day)

Career development

Staff discount 50%

Loungefest event

Long service rewards

Early pay access

Charity support

Job summary

Fosforo Lounge in Manchester is seeking a full-time Sous Chef to lead the kitchen team and support the Head Chef. You’ll oversee service—from prep to plate—and ensure every dish meets high standards of quality, pace, and cleanliness.

Join a growing hospitality brand with progression opportunities, competitive salary, overtime pay, and a supportive team culture. Previous sous or junior sous experience is welcome as you step up.

Qualifications

• A passionate cook with pride in fresh ingredients and consistent quality.
• Reliable team member who shows up on time and gives full effort.
• Leads by example in the kitchen and supports the team.
• Confident taking ownership of a shift in the Head Chef's absence.
• A team player who coaches and helps others improve.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen shifts from prep to service, keeping smooth operation.
• Support Head Chef and cover duties when needed.
• Maintain high standards on the pass for quality, pace, hygiene and safety.
• Own key routines: prep, par, stock, waste, orders, handovers.
• Coach and develop chefs to deliver great food each shift.
• Experience as Sous Chef / Junior Sous Chef or ready for next step.

Skills

Cooking

Leadership

Mentoring

Teamwork

Punctuality

Job description

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen shifts with confidence, keeping service smooth, organised and on spec from prep through to the final plate
• Be the Head Chef's right hand - supporting day-to-day operations, stepping up in their absence, and helping the kitchen deliver consistently strong results
• Set the tone for high standards on the pass, with a sharp eye for food quality, pace, cleanliness, hygiene and safety
• Take ownership of key kitchen routines including prep and par, stock control, waste, orders and effective shift handovers
• Coach and support the team around you, helping new and existing chefs build confidence, grow their skills and deliver great food every shift
• Experience as a Sous Chef, Junior Sous Chef, or a talented Chef de Partie ready to take their next step

What You'll Bring

• A passionate cook who takes real pride in fresh ingredients, clean specs, and food that goes out right every single time
• Someone the team can count on - you show up, you're on time, and you give it everything when you're there
• Someone who leads by example in the kitchen - setting the standard on the pass, supporting the team, and never cutting corners
• Confident taking ownership of a shift in the Head Chef's absence, from prep and par to stock management and shift handovers
• A team player who helps coach and develop the chefs around them and genuinely wants to see them improve

As Sous Chef you'll be right at the heart of the Fosforo Lounge kitchen; supporting your Head Chef, leading the team through each service, and making sure every dish that leaves the pass is something to be proud of. If you love real cooking, care about the people around you, and take pride in doing the small things brilliantly, you'll fit right in. We're a growing hospitality brand across England and Wales with over 300 sites and plenty of opportunity to grow with us. This could be the start of something really good.

We're hiring a full-time Sous Chef to be part of the kitchen team at Fosforo Lounge, a local caf bar. Part of Loungers, proudly named Casual Dining Group of the Year 2026. With competitive salary, plus bonus, paid overtime and real progression opportunities, this is a great next step for an experienced hospitality sous chef, second chef or junior sous chef.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary + bonus + overtime
• Permanent full-time role; 48-hour contract (40-hour contract option available)
• Overtime pay for every hour worked
• Achievable bonus scheme, paid twice a year
• Tips shared equally across the team, based on hours worked
• Free meal on every shift no matter the length
• Christmas and Boxing Day off
• Genuine career development with our in-house training courses and 'Step-Up' to GM/HC development programmes
• 50% discount on food and drinks from day one. Including alcohol across all our brands (Lounge, Cosy Club, & Brightside) from day one
• The most talked-about staff party in hospitality - Loungefest!
• Long service awards - Vouchers/Extra money
• Early access to your pay with Stream
• Emotional and practical support via the Licensed Trade Charity