Job Description
Sous Chef for Luxury Country Hotel and Wellness Retreat
- Salary: £50,000 gross p.a. + benefits
- Location: Dorset, UK
- Start Date: Immediate
- Contract: Permanent | 5 day working week with a rota shift schedule
Oplu is partnering with a luxury country hotel and wellness retreat with an on-site farm to appoint a dynamic Sous Chef. This is a key role supporting the Head Chef in delivering a market-leading, farm-to-table culinary experience within a refined, 5-star environment.
Job Overview:
This is a hands-on position suited to an ambitious chef who thrives in luxury hospitality. You will work with exceptional home-grown produce, contribute to seasonal menu development and support a tight-knit brigade in delivering high-end guest dining experiences.
Requirements:
• Minimum 3 years’ experience as a Sous Chef in luxury fine dining, a 5-star hotel or an award-winning restaurant.
• Strong farm-to-table mindset with a passion for provenance, sustainability and seasonal cooking.
• Full driving licence and ability to commute or relocate to Dorset. A relocation package is available.
• Confident leading a brigade and maintaining daily standards of quality, flavour and consistency.
• Deep understanding of food safety, kitchen hygiene and UK hospitality compliance standards.
• Collaborative, organised and calm under pressure with excellent attention to detail.
Key Responsibilities:
Culinary & Guest Experience
• Create and deliver inspired, seasonal menus grounded in farm-to-table principles and provenance.
• Maintain the highest standards of taste, presentation, temperature and timing across breakfast, lunch and dinner service.
• Oversee mise-en-place and daily service to ensure consistent fine dining execution.
• Liaise with Garden and Farm teams to plan production and maximise the use of home-grown ingredients.
• Engage confidently with guests when required, enhancing the luxury retreat experience.
Kitchen Operations & Standards
• Maintain clean, organised and fully stocked preparation and service areas.
• Implement portion control and waste-reduction practices in line with company guidelines.
• Safeguard kitchen equipment and utensils, managing loss, misuse and breakages.
• Coordinate with Service, Housekeeping and Guest Relations to support seamless service delivery.
Health, Safety & Compliance
• Act as a competent person for Food Safety and Health & Safety within the kitchen.
• Ensure full compliance with UK Food Standards, HACCP, COSHH and internal hotel policies.
• Maintain rigorous hygiene, cleaning and maintenance schedules, including temperature, storage and expiry checks.
• Ensure correct use of PPE and safe operation of all kitchen machinery and equipment.
Team Leadership & HR
• Support the Head Chef in leading the brigade, including Jnr Sous, Chef de Partie, Commis and Kitchen Technicians.
• Prepare kitchen rotas, manage hours and monitor lieu time in line with business requirements.
• Brief, train and mentor the team on standards, SOPs, presentation, portion control and fine dining expectations.
• Identify training needs and contribute to a positive, professional and high-performing kitchen culture.
Financial & Commercial
• Assist the Head Chef with financial controls, procurement and stock management.
• Help maintain budgeted food cost percentages through accurate stock handling and effective waste control.
• Check deliveries for quality, quantity and correct documentation.
Additional Information:
Team & Structure
Reporting to: Head Chef
Line management: Jnr Sous Chef, Chef de Partie, Commis and Kitchen Technicians
Brigade size: 8 full-time Chefs plus casual and temporary Chefs
Package & Benefits
• Hours: 40 hours per week, including weekends, early mornings and late evenings as required.
• Bonus: Up to 10 percent of salary based on set KPIs (pro-rata in year one).
• Private Medical Insurance: Voluntary inclusion.
• Pension Scheme: Voluntary inclusion with mutual company investment.
• Holiday: 25 days per annum plus public holidays.
Please note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear from us within 14 days, please assume your application has not been successful on this occasion.