Join our team

The Birch Hotel is looking for a dedicated and experienced Sous Chef to join our friendly, brasserie-style kitchen team. We focus on fresh, well-executed dishes served in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

As Sous Chef, you will support the Head Chef in the day-to-day running of the kitchen, helping to deliver consistent, high-quality food while maintaining a positive and organised workspace. You’ll play a key role in supervising the team, ensuring smooth service, and upholding the standards that define our food offering.

This is a great opportunity for a passionate chef looking to progress their career within a supportive hospitality environment that values teamwork, consistency, and quality.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head Chef in planning and preparing high-quality, brasserie-style dishes
• Ensure all prep, ingredients, and equipment are ready ahead of service
• Supervise and support kitchen staff, including training and guiding junior team members
• Oversee food production to ensure consistency, quality, and presentation standards are met
• Maintain a clean, organised, and efficient kitchen environment
• Ensure full compliance with food safety, hygiene, and sanitation standards
• Monitor stock levels, check deliveries, and ensure proper storage and rotation of ingredients
• Work closely with front-of-house teams to ensure smooth and efficient service
• Assist with menu development, including seasonal dishes and daily specials
• Step up to lead the kitchen in the absence of the Head Chef
• Handle any kitchen or service issues calmly and professionally

Skills & Experience

• Previous experience as a Sous Chef or a strong Chef de Partie ready to step up
• Proven experience supervising teams in a fast-paced kitchen environment
• Solid background in food preparation, cooking, and food safety practices
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to motivate a team
• Good understanding of kitchen organisation, stock control, and service flow
• Ability to work efficiently under pressure while maintaining attention to detail
• Passion for fresh, simple food and delivering a great guest experience
• A positive, hands-on approach and a reliable, team-focused attitude