Senior Sous Chef

Senior Sous Chef

Package: Up to £50,000 per annum (including weekly-paid tips & performance bonuses)

Location: Mid Sussex area

Hours: 45 to 50 hours per week

Shift Pattern: 4.5 days over 7 | 2.5 days off & 3 guaranteed evenings off per week

Finish Times: Out of the kitchen by approx. 9:15 PM on weekdays and 7:30 PM on Sundays

The Opportunity

Pineapple Recruitment is partnering with a premier, high-volume independent restaurant and bar in Mid Sussex to recruit an ambitious and talented Senior Sous Chef.

Operating at a 150-cover scale alongside private events and functions, this established destination is renowned for serving fresh modern British cuisine. Every dish is cooked to order using local, seasonal ingredients. This is a unique opportunity for a driven chef to step into a structured leadership role, gain hands-on mentoring from a highly experienced senior brigade, and hone their craft in a supportive, quality-driven kitchen.

Key Responsibilities

• Second-in-Command Leadership: Deputise for the Head Chef, running the kitchen brigade independently in their absence with full operational authority across all sections.
• Menu Development: Collaborate directly with the Head Chef on creative menu design, costing, and developing innovative daily specials that showcase local, seasonal produce.
• Quality & Consistency: Enforce uncompromising standards of dish preparation, presentation, and taste across every service pass.
• Team Development: Lead, train, and mentor junior chefs, fostering a positive, committed, and high-performing kitchen environment.
• Kitchen Operations & GP: Oversee daily ordering, stock management, menu planning, and budget/GP target awareness.
• Cross-Department Synergy: Maintain clear, effective communication with the Front of House team to ensure seamless service flow.

Skills & Experience Required

• Background: Solid experience as a Sous Chef or Senior Sous Chef within quality-driven, high-volume restaurants or premium gastro pubs.
• Culinary Standards: Strong culinary skills with a passion for working with fresh, locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.
• Attributes: A committed, detail-oriented professional who thrives under pressure and enjoys a collaborative kitchen culture.
• Logistics: Due to the location, a full driving licence and own transport are essential. Please note that live-in accommodation is not provided.

What’s On Offer

• Competitive Package: High base pay plus weekly-paid tips and bonuses, bringing total earnings up to £50,000 per annum.
• Unbeatable Work-Life Balance: Enjoy 2.5 days off and 3 guaranteed evenings off every single week.
• No Late Finishes: Early shift wraps—out of the building by approx. 9:15 PM weekdays and 7:30 PM on Sundays!
• Career Growth: Work alongside an experienced, close-knit chef team with structured mentoring and zero ceiling on internal progression.

Pineapple Recruitment is acting as a Recruitment Agency on behalf of our client for this vacancy.