Overview
About us:
The Dog House is a female fronted pub where we focus on over fire cooking, exceptional guest experience, interesting wines and locally sourced and seasonal produce.
We're looking for an exceptional Sous Chef with serious ambition — someone who wants more than just another job and is ready to be trained, developed, and promoted quickly into a Head Chef role.
This is a rare opportunity to step into an already successful, high-profile fire-cooking kitchen at a destination pub that's:
-Previously won Dorset pub of the year award
-Listed in the Michelin Guide
-Featured on TopJaw
-Known for bold, produce-led food cooked over live fire
The Opportunity; You'll work directly with the current Head Chef/owners to:
-Master live-fire cooking at a high level
-Take increasing control of menu development, sourcing, and kitchen leadership
-Learn the full picture: food, GP, team management, and consistency
-Be mentored with a clear pathway to Head Chef, not an empty promise
The goal is simple: train you up to confidently run the kitchen.
Who We're Looking For:
-A strong Sous Chef or Junior Sous ready for the next step
-Passion for fire cooking, seasonal produce, and robust flavours
-Calm, organised, and hungry to lead a team
-Someone who wants responsibility, not just service shifts
-Long-term mindset — you want to build something and make your mark
What You'll Get:
-Fast-track progression to Head Chef for the right person
-Work in a Michelin-recognised kitchen without fine-dining burnout
-Creative input and genuine influence over the food
-A supportive, ambitious environment that values craft and growth
-Competitive salary + progression-linked pay increases
If you're an ambitious chef who wants real development, real responsibility, and a real shot at running a kitchen, we want to hear from you.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £30,500.00-£35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Employee discount
* Free parking
* On-site parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
* Gillingham SP8 4NJ: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Experience:
* Chef: 3 years (preferred)
Work authorisation:
* United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person