About Isabel’s
Isabel’s is Burton’s leading independent hospitality venues—a vibrant destination where great food, music, atmosphere and people come together.
Open seven days a week, we serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, Sunday roasts and private events across our restaurant, bar and garden. Our concept combines quality fresh food with warm hospitality and a lively social atmosphere, giving guests a reason to visit throughout the day and return regularly.
As the Isabel’s brand continues to grow, we are looking for ambitious people who care about quality, consistency and the guest experience.
The opportunity
We are recruiting an experienced Junior Sous Chef to join our successful and established kitchen team.
This is an excellent opportunity for a strong Chef de Partie or current Junior Sous Chef who is ready to take greater responsibility, develop their leadership skills and build a long-term career with a growing independent brand.
We regularly promote from within and actively support team members who demonstrate consistency, commitment and the desire to progress.
New-menu launch
We will be launching an exciting new menu in three weeks.
Applicants must be available throughout the preparation and launch period, including menu development, tastings, training, trial services and launch week. Availability during this period is an essential requirement of the role.
The successful candidate will play an active part in:
- Learning and testing all new dishes.
- Supporting recipe development and kitchen trials.
- Helping establish preparation and plating standards.
- Assisting with team training and section readiness.
- Ensuring ingredients, equipment and mise en place are prepared for launch.
- Delivering consistent dishes during the launch period.
- Providing practical feedback to improve kitchen flow and execution.
- Supporting the senior kitchen team during busy launch services.
The role
As Junior Sous Chef, you will support the Head Chef and senior kitchen team in the daily running of the kitchen.
You will lead by example, maintain high standards on your section and help ensure every dish represents the quality and personality of the Isabel’s brand. You will also provide leadership during service, support junior chefs and help the kitchen operate efficiently in a busy fresh-food environment.
Key responsibilities
- Prepare, cook and present fresh food to Isabel’s recipes and presentation standards.
- Support the successful delivery of breakfast, lunch, dinner, Sunday roast, private dining and event services.
- Take responsibility for designated sections of the kitchen.
- Help organise daily preparation and ensure every section is fully ready for service.
- Maintain quality, consistency, portion control and presentation during every service.
- Support the Head Chef and Sous Chef with regular menu changes, seasonal dishes and specials.
- Participate in tastings, menu trials and dish-development sessions.
- Supervise and support chefs and kitchen assistants when senior leaders are unavailable.
- Help train new and junior team members in recipes, preparation, presentation and kitchen procedures.
- Communicate clearly with the kitchen, front-of-house and management teams.
- Assist with deliveries, stock rotation, storage and stock control.
- Help minimise food waste and protect kitchen margins through accurate preparation and portioning.
- Follow allergen, food-safety, hygiene and health-and-safety procedures at all times.
- Maintain a clean, organised and professional kitchen.
- Complete temperature checks, cleaning records and other required kitchen documentation accurately.
- Report equipment, stock, quality or staffing concerns promptly.
- Remain calm, organised and solutions-focused during high-volume services.
- Step up and take ownership when required.
Protecting the Isabel’s brand
Every member of the kitchen team contributes to the success and reputation of Isabel’s.
The Junior Sous Chef will be expected to:
- Take pride in every plate leaving the kitchen.
- Protect the consistency and quality guests expect from Isabel’s.
- Understand how food, service, music and atmosphere combine to create the complete guest experience.
- Support a positive and professional kitchen culture.
- Work collaboratively with front of house to deliver smooth, well-timed service.
- Respond positively to feedback and help resolve problems quickly.
- Support menu innovation while respecting the established Isabel’s identity.
- Help create dishes and experiences that encourage repeat visits and positive recommendations.
- Treat colleagues, guests and suppliers with professionalism and respect.
- Act as a positive representative of the brand at all times.
What success looks like
A successful Junior Sous Chef at Isabel’s will:
- Deliver consistently high-quality food across every service.
- Help achieve a smooth and successful new-menu launch.
- Maintain strong preparation, presentation and food-safety standards.
- Support efficient service times and clear kitchen communication.
- Help reduce waste and manage portions responsibly.
- Develop junior members of the brigade.
- Build positive working relationships across the business.
- Remain dependable during busy services and important events.
- Demonstrate the ability and ambition to progress into a more senior position.
Essential experience
Please only apply if you have at least two years’ professional kitchen experience in a fresh-food environment.
Applicants must also have:
- Experience preparing and cooking dishes from fresh ingredients.
- Strong section-management and organisational skills.
- A good understanding of food hygiene, allergens and kitchen safety.
- The ability to work efficiently in a busy, high-volume kitchen.
- Consistent attention to taste, presentation and portion control.
- Good communication and teamwork skills.
- A reliable, punctual and professional approach.
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and busy hospitality periods.
- Full availability for the new-menu preparation and launch period in three weeks.
Previous experience as a Chef de Partie, Senior Chef de Partie or Junior Sous Chef would be beneficial.
What we offer
- £13.50–£14.00 per hour, depending on experience.
- The opportunity to join a successful and experienced chef team.
- Regular menu changes and opportunities to contribute ideas.
- Hands-on involvement in an important new-menu launch.
- Experience across restaurant, bar, garden, Sunday and event services.
- A supportive environment in which to develop leadership skills.
- Regular opportunities for internal promotion.
- The chance to build a career with a growing independent hospitality brand.
Apply
If you have at least two years’ experience in a fresh-food kitchen, take pride in delivering quality food and want to progress with the Isabel’s team, we would like to hear from you.
Please apply with an up-to-date CV, details of your relevant kitchen experience and confirmation that you are fully available for the new-menu preparation and launch period in three weeks.
Pay: £13.50-£14.00 per hour
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
