Sous Chef – Exciting New Opening in Essex
We’re looking for a talented and motivated Sous Chef to join an amazing new project in Essex. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a brand-new opening and to work alongside the Head Chef in setting up a state-of-the-art kitchen from scratch. You’ll help create and deliver a fresh, on-trend food offer and play a key role in shaping the back-of-house operation.
If you’re currently working in a busy casual dining restaurant or fresh food pub and looking for something new with a better work-life balance (no late nights and shared weekends), this could be the perfect move. It’s also ideal if you’re ready to step up and take more responsibility in a brand-new environment closer to home.
The Role
1. Support the Head Chef with the full kitchen setup for a new opening, ensuring smooth day-to-day operation once live.
2. Help establish and maintain all back-of-house systems and procedures.
3. Assist in recruiting, training, and leading a brand-new team.
4. Deliver an exciting food offer across two audiences – staff dining (breakfast & lunch) and a visitor grab-and-go concept featuring street food and hand-held dishes.
5. Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene, and kitchen organisation.
6. Work with innovative app-based ordering technology for both staff and guests.
7. Share weekend shifts – no late nights and a strong work-life balance.
About You
8. Experienced Sous Chef or strong Junior Sous looking to take the next step.
9. Background in casual dining, fresh food pubs, or business & industry catering.
10. Confident running a busy kitchen service and supporting a new team.
11. Organised, proactive, and passionate about creating great food with fresh ingredients.
12. A strong communicator who thrives in a collaborative environment and enjoys being part of a new opening.
13. Able to complete health and safety paper work daily
What’s on Offer
14. Opportunity to be part of a brand-new opening and grow with the business.
15. Competitive salary and benefits package.
16. Great work-life balance – shared weekends and no late nights.
17. The chance to work with new technology and exciting food trends.
18. Supportive environment with clear opportunities for progression.
Kellan Group (including all of our brands, Berkeley Scott and Xpress Recruitment) are committed to promoting equal opportunities to people regardless of age, gender, religion, belief, race, sexuality or disability. We operate as an employment agency and employment business. You'll find a wide selection of vacancies on our websites