Sous Chef

Sous Chef

Package: Up to £45,000 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 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

• Kitchen Leadership: Take operational ownership of the pass and kitchen sections, ensuring seamless service and execution across high-volume á la carte and event menus.
• Quality Assurance: Maintain uncompromising standards of dish presentation, taste, and consistency across fresh ingredient preparations.
• Menu Development: Partner with the Head Chef and Senior Sous Chef to create, test, and cost seasonal menus and daily specials.
• Team Growth & Training: Play an active role in coaching, mentoring, and developing junior members of the kitchen brigade.
• Financial Control: Support daily ordering, stock rotation, waste management, and the monitoring of kitchen Gross Profit (GP) targets.
• Compliance: Enforce strict adherence to all health & safety, hygiene, HACCP, and food safety regulations.

Skills & Experience Required

• Background: Proven track record as a Sous Chef, Senior CDP, or Kitchen Manager in high-volume, quality-driven environments (premium gastro pubs or hotels preferred).
• 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 £45,000 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.