Junior Sous Chef: Lead Stations, Craft Seasonal Dishes

Aramark; Castlebar; Remote; EUR 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Aramark Ireland is seeking a Junior Sous Chef to join our Castlebar kitchen. In this permanent role, you will work with our Head Chef and Sous Chef to deliver exceptional cuisine while upholding food safety and kitchen organisation standards.

You will prepare dishes, assist in station management, supervise junior staff, manage mise en place, monitor costs, and contribute to menu development in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Culinary training qualification or equivalent practical kitchen experience (minimum 2 years).
• Current Food Safety and Hygiene certification.
• Proficiency in a range of cooking techniques and food preparation methods.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Excellent people skills and ability to work collaboratively within a kitchen brigade.
• Ability to remain calm and focused during high‑pressure service periods.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and best practices.
• Attention to detail and commitment to maintaining high standards.
• Physical capability to work in a fast‑paced kitchen environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook dishes according to established recipes, plating standards, and quality specifications
• Assist in the management of assigned kitchen stations during service, ensuring efficiency and consistency
• Supervise and provide guidance to junior kitchen staff, demonstrating proper techniques and food safety practices
• Maintain meticulous kitchen cleanliness, organisation, and adherence to food hygiene regulations
• Conduct mise en place preparation to ensure all ingredients and equipment are ready for service
• Monitor food costs and portion control to maintain profitability without compromising quality
• Contribute to menu development and seasonal specials, offering creative culinary ideas
• Manage inventory levels and communicate stock requirements to senior kitchen staff
• Ensure quality control of all dishes before they leave the kitchen
• Support the kitchen team during peak service periods, maintaining composure and efficiency under pressure

Skills

Culinary skills

Food safety knowledge

Time management

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Calm under pressure

Organisational skills

Education

Culinary qualification or relevant experience

Tools

POS systems

Job description

We are seeking an enthusiastic and detail-oriented Junior Sous Chef to join our kitchen team in Castlebar, Ireland. In this permanent position, you will work alongside our Head Chef and Sous Chef to deliver exceptional cuisine whilst maintaining the highest standards of food safety and kitchen organisation. The successful candidate will be passionate about culinary excellence and eager to develop their skills within a professional kitchen environment.

• Prepare and cook dishes according to established recipes, plating standards, and quality specifications • Assist in the management of assigned kitchen stations during service, ensuring efficiency and consistency • Supervise and provide guidance to junior kitchen staff, demonstrating proper techniques and food safety practices • Maintain meticulous kitchen cleanliness, organisation, and adherence to food hygiene regulations
• Conduct mise en place preparation to ensure all ingredients and equipment are ready for service • Monitor food costs and portion control to maintain profitability without compromising quality • Contribute to menu development and seasonal specials, offering creative culinary ideas • Manage inventory levels and communicate stock requirements to senior kitchen staff • Ensure quality control of all dishes before they leave the kitchen
• Support the kitchen team during peak service periods, maintaining composure and efficiency under pressure

Qualifications

• Culinary training qualification or equivalent practical kitchen experience (minimum 2 years) • Current Food Safety and Hygiene certification • Proficiency in a range of cooking techniques and food preparation methods • Strong organisational and time management skills • Excellent people skills and ability to work collaboratively within a kitchen brigade
• Ability to remain calm and focused during high-pressure service periods • Knowledge of food safety regulations and best practices • Attention to detail and commitment to maintaining high standards • Physical capability to work in a fast-paced kitchen environment

**Desirable Skills:** • Previous experience in a similar Junior Sous Chef or senior kitchen role • Knowledge of multiple cuisines and cooking styles • Experience in staff training and development • Familiarity with kitchen management systems and point-of-sale technology • Understanding of menu costing and food cost analysis

Additional Information

About Aramark
Aramark Ireland is a leader in food, facilities, and workplace services, supporting clients across healthcare, education, business, and the public sector. With over 40 years in Ireland and more than 8,000 colleagues across Ireland and Northern Ireland, we are committed to service excellence, innovation, sustainability, and creating meaningful experiences for our clients, colleagues, and communities.

Aramark is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcomes applications from all candidates.