Full-Time / Permanent Position
Salary: Dependent on Experience
Join our ambitious, friendly, and fast-paced kitchen team and enjoy truly sociable working hours with a strong commitment to work/life balance. Working directly alongside our Head Chef, you’ll be part of a forward-thinking and highly supportive environment that celebrates creativity, teamwork, and the best of local produce. Together, we create and serve our exceptionally popular menus to the highest standards.
The Ladybird Restaurant sits at the heart of our garden centre. With 150 indoor seats and an additional 50 on our patio, we pride ourselves on delivering outstanding, freshly prepared food crafted by an experienced and passionate team led by our dedicated Head Chef.
The Role: Sous Chef
As Sous Chef, you will play a key leadership role within the kitchen, supporting the Head Chef in delivering excellence every day. You’ll help guide the team, maintain exceptional standards, and contribute to shaping a menu that showcases quality ingredients and exciting seasonal dishes.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Helping lead and manage the kitchen operation
- Making confident decisions and contributing to the smooth running of service
- Maintaining outstanding standards of cleanliness, hygiene, health, and safety
- Overseeing ordering, stock control, and efficient kitchen organisation
- Ensuring beautifully presented, consistently high-quality dishes
- Supporting the Head Chef in training, development, and inspiring the team
If you’re passionate about fresh, quality food, love working with local ingredients, and are ready to take the next big step in your culinary career, we’d love to hear from you.
What We Offer
- A genuine work/life balance
- Daytime hours only, typically between 08:00 and 16:00
- A full-time, permanent role with alternate weekends
- The chance to create new dishes, contribute ideas, and grow your skills in a supportive environment
About You
We’re looking for someone who brings enthusiasm, professionalism, and a passion for great food:
- Minimum Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate
- Experience working in a busy, fast-paced kitchen (2+ years)
- Confident working across all stations
- A proactive, driven attitude and strong team ethos
- Excellent communication skills
- Flexible and adaptable in a dynamic environment
- Passionate about producing high-quality, fresh dishes
Key Responsibilities
- Work closely with the Head Chef to achieve revenue goals and maintain GP margins
- Take full responsibility for the kitchen in the Head Chef’s absence
- Assist in developing signature and seasonal menu items
- Support training across the team to ensure high standards and consistency
- Manage stock, ordering, and wastage efficiently
- Maintain excellent presentation, quality, and service standards
- Collaborate with the Head Chef and Front of House Supervisors to ensure smooth service
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Worcester WR6 5LP: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):
- State three reasons why you would be an ideal candidate for this role
Experience:
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
