Sous Chef

Job Overview:
As a Sous Chef at one of the prestigious Cambridge Colleges, you will be an integral part of the kitchen team, working closely with the Head Chef to ensure the delivery of high-quality, nutritious meals for students, staff, and guests. Your role will include supervising and mentoring kitchen staff, ensuring food quality, maintaining cleanliness, and supporting the smooth running of the kitchen in this fast-paced, academic environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist the Head Chef in menu planning and food preparation, ensuring that meals are balanced, seasonal, and meet the needs of the college community.
• Supervise the day-to-day operation of the kitchen, ensuring adherence to health and safety standards, food hygiene regulations, and the colleges policies.
• Lead, train, and motivate kitchen staff, helping to develop their culinary skills and ensuring consistency in food quality and presentation.
• Oversee food preparation and cooking for a variety of dining experiences, including formal dinners, buffets, and casual meals.
• Manage stock control, including inventory, ordering, and reducing food waste.
• Ensure efficient operation of the kitchen during the absence of the Head Chef, including overseeing kitchen schedules and handling issues that arise.
• Maintain strong communication with other departments, such as front-of-house and catering coordinators, to ensure seamless service delivery.
• Collaborate with the Head Chef to maintain the kitchens budget, ensuring cost-effective use of resources.
• Stay updated on culinary trends, introducing new techniques and concepts to enhance the dining experience at the College.
• Ensure the kitchen environment is always clean, organized, and compliant with health and safety regulations.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Proven experience as a Sous Chef or in a similar senior kitchen role, preferably in a large, high-volume catering environment.
• NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Professional Cookery
• Excellent knowledge of food preparation, cooking techniques, and presentation.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and develop a team.
• Familiarity with Cambridge College dining traditions, and the ability to adapt to the specific needs of a college environment.
• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Solid understanding of food safety, hygiene standards, and risk management.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as required by the colleges dining schedule.

Desirable Attributes:

• Experience in institutional catering or university-level dining services.
• A passion for creating meals that cater to diverse dietary requirements and preferences.
• Ability to embrace the history and traditions of the College while contributing innovative ideas to the dining experience.

Application Process:
Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role, with specific reference to your experience in a similar setting.

This role offers a unique opportunity to work within one of the worlds most esteemed academic institutions, contributing to the vibrant, dynamic life at a Cambridge College.