Junior Sous Chef – The Parlour at Sanders Garden Centre
Where fresh food, warm hospitality and daytime living come together
Are you a rising culinary talent ready to bring energy, craft and creativity to a kitchen that truly cares about quality? The Parlour at Sanders Garden Centre is looking for a Junior Sous Chef with passion, pride and a fresh perspective to help drive our kitchen forward.
This role would perfectly suit an ambitious chef ready to step up, take more responsibility, and continue climbing the professional ladder within a supportive, standards-driven kitchen.
This is not late-night hospitality. This is food done properly, with purpose — daytime hours, seasonal menus, and a team that believes great cooking starts with great people.
If you love fresh ingredients, beautifully prepared dishes, and the buzz of a well-run service — we want to meet you.
Why Join The Parlour
* Daytime hours for genuine work–life balance
* Closed on Christmas, Boxing Day, New Year's Day and Easter Day
* Supportive, professional kitchen culture
* Opportunity to contribute ideas and creativity
* A respected, established venue with a loyal customer base
* Real progression and development for ambitious chefs
The Role
As Junior Sous Chef, you will be a key part of the kitchen leadership team — supporting the Head Chef and Sous Chef in delivering consistent, high-quality food while helping maintain a positive, disciplined and motivated brigade.
You will lead by example, bring standards to life, and help ensure every plate leaving the pass reflects excellence.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
Kitchen Leadership & Service
* Support the Head Chef and Sous Chef in daily kitchen operations
* Lead sections confidently during prep and service
* Step up to run the kitchen in the absence of senior chefs when required
* Maintain strong communication with front-of-house teams
* Drive a calm, focused, professional service environment
Food Preparation & Standards
* Prepare and cook dishes to specification and presentation standards
* Follow all recipes, specs and portion controls precisely
* Ensure consistency across all dishes served
* Contribute to specials and seasonal menu development
* Champion freshness, flavour and quality at every stage
Food Safety & Compliance
* Maintain strict food safety and hygiene standards
* Ensure full compliance with HACCP and kitchen safety procedures
* Monitor temperature logs and storage practices
* Keep all preparation and service areas clean and organised
* Uphold allergen controls and documentation
Stock & Kitchen Management
* Assist with ordering, stock rotation and inventory control
* Minimise waste through careful prep and stock awareness
* Check deliveries and ensure quality standards are met
* Store all ingredients correctly and label clearly
Team Development
* Support training and mentoring of junior team members
* Share skills and knowledge generously
* Help build a motivated, respectful team culture
* Address issues early and escalate where necessary
Operational Excellence
* Follow opening and closing procedures
* Maintain equipment and report faults promptly
* Work efficiently to meet service timelines
* Adapt to busy periods with composure and pace
What We're Looking For
* Experience as a Chef de Partie or strong Commis ready to step up
* Solid technical cooking skills and kitchen discipline
* Passion for fresh, high-quality food
* Strong organisational and communication skills
* Calm under pressure with a positive attitude
* Pride in standards and attention to detail
* A team player with leadership potential
If you're ready to cook with purpose, grow your career, and be part of a kitchen where standards matter and people matter more — The Parlour at Sanders Garden Centre is ready for you.
Apply now and bring your flavour, your fire and your future.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Work Location: In person