Hastings Hotels is a family owned, luxury hotel group based in Northern Ireland. We value our people. It's our people who provide the excellent experience we offer to all our guests. When we work together we can do amazing things. We have an exciting opportunity for a reliable and talented Junior Sous Chef to join our culinary team within the 5-star Culloden Estate & Spa. Perched on the hill overlooking Belfast Lough, the Hotel is home to The Lough Bar, Vespers, and Zest Café, with each outlet offering a variety of dining experiences. We are especially proud of Vespers, winner of Good Food Irelands Food Lovers Choice Award 2024, and awarded a prestigious double Rosette from the AA in 2025. The Hotel's outlets source only the finest local and seasonal produce to create an exquisite array of contemporary dishes. Also on the Estate is the Cultra Inn, one of County Downs finest bars and restaurants, committed to providing the freshest and most mouth-watering menus. From breakfast to dinner, the popular gastro-pub uses only the finest locally sourced ingredients to create memorable dishes that showcase the best local, seasonal produce. We are also delighted to see the return of our Bollinger Champagne Garden for another sensational summer on the Estate, offering a selection of alfresco dining options. Wherever you are on the grounds of our beautifully landscaped Estate, you will have the opportunity to work with our friendly team, develop your skills, and enjoy the variety offered by a role in hospitality. Find out more about why our people love working for Hastings Hotels here. The successful candidate can expect to work 45 hours per week excluding breaks, five shifts out of seven including weekends. The salary for this full-time position is £33,000 per annum, depending on experience. We offer a range of benefits including free staff meals, employee discounts, credit card tips, 29 days holiday plus your birthday, and opportunities for career progression and development. For further details about our employee benefits click here. The company reserves the right to apply enhanced short-listing criteria. To find out more about Hastings Hotels and what our company offers please visit Hastings Hotels is an Equal Opportunities Employer. About The Role To assist with the management of the Kitchen to ensure the Hastings standards of preparation and presentation are maintained. Assist the Executive Head Chef manage the smooth and efficient operation of the kitchens, ensuring the Hotels reputation for food quality is always maintained. Ensuring the planning, preparation, cooking and presentation of food is to the standard required by the Hotel and its guests. To assist the Executive Head Chef in creating new and innovative menus. Contributing to the development of the hotels business plan, projects and initiatives in order to develop the hotels business and market position. Support the Executive Head Chef to manage the culinary budget and kitchen expenditure. Ensuring Company policies relating to stock management and stock ordering are implemented and monitored, taking appropriate action to resolve problems. Ensuring the hotel complies with all matters relating to food hygiene regulations, environmental health laws and all other relevant legislation. Ensuring the Hotels 5* hygiene score is maintained. Ensuring the security of the kitchen and storage areas is maintained at all times. Ensuring all kitchen employees receive appropriate training, coaching and development to meet the Hastings standard. Ensuring Hastings quality standards and procedures are fully understood, implemented and regularly reviewed, and that formal and informal feedback is delivered to ensure continual improvement. Conducting team meetings on a regular basis to communicate standards required, targets and company information. Ensuring all kitchen areas, fixtures and equipment are properly maintained and presented to the Hastings standard. Working effectively with colleagues across departments to ensure a harmonious working environment where all employees are treated with respect and dignity. Any other duties as required by the senior management team. Required Criteria Right to Work in the United Kingdom Excellent communication skills Ability to work well under pressure and be a team player Superb attention to detail Previous experience gained in a high-quality culinary environment Hold an NVQ level 2 or the equivalent in Food Preparation and Cooking Hold a recognised Food Hygiene Certificate Desired Criteria Educated to Level 2 (GCSE gradesA-C) or the equivalent in English and Mathematics Previous experience of fine-dining Skills Needed Menu/Product Knowledge, Food Production, Chefing Skills, Food Costing Skills About The Company Hastings Hotels owns and operates six hotels in Northern Ireland, with over 1,000 bedrooms, a stand-alone gastro-pub, and a luxury spa. From city centre buzz to seaside resort, each outlet has a distinctive personality and market positioning. For over 50 years this family owned business has successfully established its identity in the market because we place quality and service at the heart of everything we do. Quality in the design of our properties and their upkeep. Quality in the local sourcing of the food and drink we offer our guests and quality in our people, people with personality, attention to detail, and a desire to develop their careers with us. Company Culture Our guests remember the small details. The open fire in the lounge. The supremely comfy beds. The fabulous breakfast and the interactions they had with our people. It is more important that you have the correct behaviours and attitude than every last qualification we can help you attain that. We place great attention on recruitment, induction, and integrating you into your department, your hotel, and the Group. We want you to think about how you want to develop your career with us, and we promise to do what we can to help you on that journey Company Benefits We offer a range of benefits including free staff meals, cash and credit card tips, employee discounts, 29 days holiday plus your birthday, and opportunities for career progression and development. Vacation, Paid time off, Retirement plan and/or pension, Employee development programs, Employee discounts, Competitive salary, Preferential room rates, Family and friends rates, Discount on meals purchased, Discount on spa treatments or products, Free meals during shifts, Free parking or Discounted parking, Employee Assistance Scheme, Wellbeing Scheme, Employee Recognition Scheme, On the job learning, Access to Health & Wellbeing app, Long service awards, Staff celebration events, Company employee App Salary Up to £33,000.00 per year Skills: Menu/Product Knowledge Food Production Chefing Skills Food Costing Skills Benefits: Vacation, Paid time off Retirement plan and/or pension Employee development programs Employee discounts Competitive salary Preferential room rates ADZN1_NI