Job Description

SOUS CHEF - RAMBLERS REST CAFE & RESTAURANT

Harlestone Heath Garden Centre | Daytime Hours | Work-Life Balance Starts Here

Are you a passionate, organised and upbeat Sous Chef ready to step into a role where craft, calm and creativity matter just as much as speed?
At

Ramblers Rest Cafe & Restaurant

, nestled within the beautiful surroundings of

Harlestone Heath Garden Centre

, we offer something refreshingly different: a professional kitchen delivering quality food

without late nights or antisocial hours

.

This is a standout opportunity for a Sous Chef who wants to build a fulfilling career while still enjoying evenings, holidays and personal time - in a supportive, daytime-only kitchen.

What Makes This Role Different

Daytime hours only

- no evenings or late finishes

Closed on

: Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day & Easter Sunday A calm, welcoming workplace within a bustling garden centre cafe A chance to shape menus rooted in seasonal, fresh, crowd-pleasing food Stable hours, genuine work-life balance and year-round trade
The Role - Sous Chef

As Sous Chef, you will be second-in-command in the kitchen, supporting the Head Chef in running a professional, efficient operation while maintaining outstanding food quality and team morale.

This is a hands-on leadership position, combining cooking excellence with team supervision and kitchen organisation.

Duties & ResponsibilitiesKitchen Operations

Lead daily food preparation and cooking service to consistently high standards Step in as acting Head Chef when required Ensure all dishes meet brand, presentation and portion standards Maintain smooth service during peak periods Assist with menu development, seasonality and specials planning
Team Leadership

Support, train and motivate kitchen team members Help organise staff rotas to ensure efficient cover Lead by example with professionalism and positivity Assist with inductions and ongoing skills development
Food Safety & Compliance

Maintain full compliance with food hygiene, safety and health regulations Ensure HACCP procedures are followed and updated correctly Conduct daily checks for cleanliness, food storage and temperature controls Monitor allergen management processes
Stock & Cost Control

Manage stock rotation and reduce waste Assist with ordering and supplier liaison Monitor portion control and gross profit margins Support budget management and food cost reporting
Quality & Consistency

Ensure recipe execution and quality control across all services Maintain presentation standards across cafe and restaurant offerings Uphold company ethos of friendly hospitality with excellent food
Organisation & Efficiency

Support prep planning to ensure smooth service flow Manage equipment maintenance reporting Assist with kitchen systems for ordering, production schedules and cleaning plans
What We're Looking For

Experience as a Sous Chef or strong Junior Sous ready to step up Proven leadership skills and ability to manage small teams Strong food safety knowledge and attention to detail Calm, organised approach in busy service periods Passion for fresh food and customer satisfaction Reliability and a positive, collaborative work ethic
What We Offer

Daytime working hours only

Guaranteed holidays off: Christmas, Boxing Day, New Year's Day & Easter Sunday

A rare opportunity for genuine kitchen work-life balance Competitive pay based on experience Supportive management and a friendly workplace culture Career progression opportunities within growing hospitality operations

Location:

Ramblers Rest Cafe & Restaurant
Harlestone Heath Garden Centre
Northampton

If you love food, leadership and a better rhythm of life, this role could be your next step. Join a kitchen where professionalism meets positivity, and evenings are yours again.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

Employee discount Free parking On-site parking Store discount
Work Location: In person