Job Title: Sous Chef
Location: P Louise Empire Café, Unit A Orion Business Park, Bird Hall Lane, Stockport, SK3 0RT
Reports To: Head Chef / Café Manager
Hours: Full-time (including evenings, weekends & holiday peaks)
Salary: Competitive (depending on experience)
Role Overview
As Sous Chef at P Louise Empire Café you will be the right-hand to the Head Chef, helping manage all kitchen operations in an immersive, high-energy café environment that’s part of the P Louise brand experience. You’ll ensure high quality food production, smooth service during busy periods, maintain kitchen standards (safety, hygiene, cost), and contribute to menu creativity that complements the unique café setting.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist the Head Chef in developing & executing café menus (hot meals, light bites, sweet treats) suited to the brand’s fun, creative, Instagram-friendly environment.
- Lead kitchen operations: food prep, cooking, plating, serving timely dishes during service periods.
- Supervise and train kitchen staff: commis chefs, kitchen porters, and support staff to ensure consistent output and high presentation standards.
- Ensure food quality, portion control, taste, consistency, and presentation align with brand expectations.
- Manage stock ordering, receiving, storage, rotation, and minimise waste; assist in cost control (food cost, labour cost).
- Maintain kitchen cleanliness, hygiene, food safety compliance (HACCP, allergen regulations, COSHH) at all times.
- Cover for the Head Chef during absence and lead service when required.
- Coordinate with front of house / café floor teams to ensure smooth service, especially during high-demand or themed event days.
- Adapt quickly to function/event days (birthday parties, brand activations) unique to the P Louise café environment.
- Maintain kitchen equipment, report issues, ensure safe working environment.
- Contribute to a positive, energetic team culture aligned with the P Louise brand ethos.
Skills & Experience
- Proven experience as a Sous Chef, or senior cook, ideally in a fast-paced café or branded experience environment.
- Strong culinary skills: good knowledge of flavour, texture, presentation; confident to help create dishes.
- Experience supervising/training junior kitchen team members.
- Sound understanding of food safety, HACCP, allergens and commercial kitchen hygiene practices.
- Excellent organisation, communication and leadership skills; ability to perform under pressure.
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and busy seasonal/event days.
- Passion for great food, high standards, and delivering memorable guest experiences.
Preferred Qualifications
- Formal culinary qualification (NVQ, City & Guilds, or equivalent) is desirable.
- Experience in café/restaurant setting with high throughput, events or themed service.
- Experience managing cost control, menu planning, vendor/stock relationships.
Personal Attributes
- Creative, food-driven, with attention to detail and strong presentation focus.
- Reliable, hardworking and energetic; able to thrive in fun but demanding environment.
- Team player who can also take initiative and lead when needed.
- Calm under pressure, adaptable and flexible to changing demands.
- Enthusiastic about the P Louise brand and guest experience.
Benefits
- Competitive salary based on experience.
- Opportunities for training and progression
- Working in a unique, vibrant brand café environment with strong guest-experience focus.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £37,500.00 per year
Work Location: In person
