Job Description

We are seeking a confident and driven Sous Chef to support the Head Chef in delivering consistently high standards of food and service at our upmarket country pub and restaurant in Albury, Hertfordshire. This is a busy, dynamic kitchen environment where attention to detail, strong organisation, and teamwork are essential. You will play a key role in daily kitchen operations, supporting menu development, contributing to seasonal specials, and ensuring every dish leaving the kitchen reflects quality and care. Working with fresh, seasonal ingredients and modern British cuisine techniques, you will help maintain the kitchen's strong local reputation for excellence whilst fostering a supportive and professional atmosphere. This position suits someone who is creative, reliable, and ready to take ownership of their responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Head Chef in managing daily kitchen operations and maintaining service standards
• Lead, motivate, and mentor junior members of the kitchen team
• Prepare, cook, and present dishes to a consistently high standard
• Contribute to menu development and the creation of seasonal specials
• Ensure food quality, presentation, and consistency across all dishes
• Manage kitchen stock, mise en place, and food preparation workflows
• Maintain health, safety, and hygiene standards throughout the kitchen
• Support the Head Chef in training and developing kitchen staff

Candidate Profile

We are looking for candidates who bring at least one year of experience as a Sous Chef or in a similar senior kitchen role, ideally within a high-quality restaurant or pub environment. You should demonstrate a passion for culinary excellence, a creative approach to food, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, standards-driven kitchen. The ideal candidate combines technical skill with strong leadership qualities, reliability, and a genuine commitment to mentoring junior staff whilst maintaining the highest levels of food quality and presentation.

Experience & Expertise Required:

• Minimum one year of experience as a Sous Chef or equivalent senior kitchen role
• Proven expertise in food preparation, cooking, and presentation to a high standard
• Strong knowledge of kitchen operations, stock management, and food safety protocols
• Experience working in a busy, upmarket kitchen environment
• Familiarity with modern British cuisine and seasonal ingredient-led cooking
• Demonstrated ability to support menu development and create specials

Qualities & Work Approach:

• Confident, driven, and passionate about culinary excellence
• Creative thinker with a commitment to quality and attention to detail
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills with the ability to motivate and develop junior staff
• Excellent organisational and time management abilities
• Reliable, professional, and ready to take ownership of responsibilities
• Team player who thrives in a collaborative, supportive kitchen environment
• Adaptable and proactive in responding to service demands

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the kitchen's continued success whilst developing your culinary leadership skills in a respected, quality-focused establishment.