Duties
Food Preparation & Service
- Lead preparation and service, ensuring dishes meet approved recipe, presentation and quality standards.
- Check taste, seasoning, temperature, portions and presentation before dishes leave the kitchen.
- Coordinate kitchen sections and allocate resources to maintain efficient service.
- Ensure mise en place, preparation lists, handovers and closing duties are completed accurately.
- Work closely with front-of-house staff to ensure clear communication and smooth service.
- Handle dietary requirements, allergies and special requests according to approved procedures.
- Manage kitchen operations in the Head Chef's absence.
Menu Development & Quality
- Assist with recipe testing, seasonal menu changes and new dishes.
- Maintain recipe, yield, portion and plating standards.
- Monitor ingredient quality, availability and storage.
- Contribute practical menu ideas and respond professionally to guest feedback.
Team Leadership & Training
- Brief, supervise, coach and support the kitchen team.
- Allocate duties according to skills, workload and service requirements.
- Identify training needs and assist with practical training and staff development.
- Address performance, conduct and attendance concerns through the correct procedures.
- Assist with rosters, leave planning and overtime control.
Food Safety & Equipment Care
- Maintain high standards of food safety, personal hygiene and kitchen cleanliness.
- Ensure correct receiving, labelling, storage, stock rotation and temperature recording.
- Monitor cleaning schedules and the safe use of equipment, tools and chemicals.
- Report hazards, equipment defects and maintenance requirements, following through until resolved.
Cost Control & Administration
- Support food-cost and gross-profit targets through portion control, yield management and waste reduction.
- Assist with ordering, receiving, stocktakes and investigating discrepancies.
- Monitor ingredient usage, shortages, breakages and wastage, taking corrective action where required.
- Maintain accurate kitchen records, checklists, recipes and training material.
- Provide information for budgets, forecasts, payroll controls and operational reports.
- Promote responsible use of food, water, energy and materials.
Requirements
- A recognised culinary qualification or equivalent practical professional kitchen training.
- Previous experience as a Sous Chef or a strong Junior Sous Chef in a quality, high-volume restaurant or comparable hospitality environment.
- Proven ability to coordinate busy kitchen services and lead a diverse team.
- Strong knowledge of food preparation, menu execution, dietary requirements and allergens.
- Sound understanding of food safety and kitchen hygiene.
- Good knowledge of recipe costing, yields, portion control, ordering and stock management.
- Strong communication, coaching, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- Excellent organisation, attention to detail and the ability to remain composed under pressure.
- A creative, quality-focused and commercially aware approach.
- Computer literacy and accurate record-keeping skills.
- Willingness to work evenings, weekends and public holidays.