Start date: As soon as possible.
About Clay Coffee + Kitchen
Clay Coffee + Kitchen is a high-quality, premium café and kitchen opening in Gravesend, built around great food, excellent coffee and a genuinely welcoming, relaxing atmosphere.
The space itself is a big part of the experience. Clay features a beautifully designed, luxurious interior that feels calm, warm and inviting. Downstairs, the coffee bar and kitchen will serve a busy daytime trade with a strong focus on consistency, quality and pace. Upstairs, there is a dedicated children's play space, making Clay a place where families, friends and professionals can all feel comfortable spending time.
The kitchen sits at the heart of the business, producing well-executed, fresh food that people come back for, day after day.
The Role
This is an exciting opportunity to join Clay from the very beginning as Sous Chef, working closely alongside our Head Chef and playing a key role in the day-to-day running of the kitchen.
You'll help lead the kitchen team, maintain consistently high standards across food quality, presentation, hygiene and organisation and ensure service runs smoothly and efficiently.
As second in command within the kitchen, you'll be confident taking the lead when the Head Chef isn't present, supporting and developing the wider kitchen team and helping create a calm, organised and positive working environment.
This is a hands-on role. We're looking for someone who enjoys being in service, leads by example and takes real pride in the food leaving the kitchen.
What You'll Be Responsible For
· Supporting the Head Chef with the day-to-day management of the kitchen
· Leading kitchen service and taking responsibility in the Head Chef's absence
· Preparing and cooking food to a consistently high standard
· Maintaining quality, consistency and presentation across all dishes
· Supporting and supervising chefs and junior kitchen team members
· Helping organise prep, sections and service to ensure the kitchen runs efficiently
· Maintaining food safety, hygiene and allergen compliance
· Supporting stock control, ordering, deliveries, rotation and waste management
· Helping maintain accurate kitchen procedures and standards
· Maintaining a clean, organised and efficient kitchen
· Supporting training and development across the kitchen team
· Helping create a positive, professional and well-organised kitchen culture
Experience
We're looking for someone who:
· Has previous experience as a Sous Chef or is an experienced Chef de Partie ready to step up
· Is confident leading a kitchen and team during service
· Has strong cooking skills and takes pride in consistently high-quality food
· Has a strong understanding of food safety, allergens, hygiene and kitchen compliance
· Is organised and confident managing prep, service and day-to-day kitchen priorities
· Works calmly and efficiently during busy periods
· Is comfortable supporting, training and directing other members of the kitchen team
· Is reliable, proactive and willing to take responsibility
· Works well alongside a Head Chef and wider management team
· Is excited by the opportunity to join a new opening and grow with the business
Opening Hours & Service Style
Clay will operate as a daytime café, opening 07:00–19:00, with kitchen service running during shorter daytime hours.
This is a full-time position, offering the opportunity to work in a senior kitchen role without the late-night hours typically associated with hospitality.
What This Role Offers
· A senior role within a brand-new kitchen from day one
· The opportunity to work closely alongside an experienced Head Chef
· Genuine responsibility and involvement in how the kitchen operates
· Sensible daytime working hours
· A supportive, well-structured working environment
· A beautiful, design-led workplace
· The opportunity to develop and progress as Clay Coffee + Kitchen grows
How to Apply
If you're an experienced chef who takes pride in great food, enjoys leading a team and wants to play an important role in building a new kitchen from the very beginning, we'd love to hear from you.
Submit your CV today and we'll be in touch as soon as possible.
Pay: £27,000.00-£32,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
Work Location: In person
