Job Description:
Sous Chef | The Ram Inn, Firle
Salary: £35,000 – £40,000 + Tronc
Position: Full-time 45 hours straight shifts (a mix of lunch, dinner or both services)
Location: Firle, East Sussex (Reliable transport essential)
About Us
The Ram Inn is a busy, independent country pub with 8 bedrooms in the heart of the South Downs National Park. Our kitchen philosophy is unapologetically ingredient-led and hyper-seasonal. We don’t do corporate, static menus. We adapt to what is fresh and wild, printing a brand-new menu for every single service.
We are looking for a talented, organised Sous Chef to join our kitchen team of 7. If you want to escape rigid corporate specs and get back to true, provenance-driven cooking, this is your kitchen.
Why Join Us?
- True Creative Freedom: Direct input into daily changing menus alongside the Head Chef.
- Elite Local Provenance: Work directly with exceptional organic produce from Shrub, quality butchery from Calcot Farm Produce, and bespoke harvests from Chefs Farm.
- A Culture of Respect: A supportive, energetic independent kitchen that values your craft and your career growth.
The Role & Responsibilities
As Right Hand to the Head Chef, you will help lead our 7-strong kitchen team and run the pass smoothly.
- Hyper-Seasonal Execution: Help manage a fast-paced kitchen that adapts daily to changing ingredients.
- Team Leadership & Development: Motivate, mentor, and manage junior chefs and KPs with clear communication.
- Kitchen Management: Handle daily ordering, stock control, GP targets, and meticulous food safety logging.
Who You Are
- Ingredient-Obsessed: Deeply passionate about fresh, seasonal produce and letting high-quality ingredients shine.
- Experienced Leader: Proven experience at Junior Sous or Sous Chef level in a high-quality, fresh-food environment.
- Adaptable & Organised: Possess the sharp organisational skills and cool head required to handle a menu that changes every service & thrive under pressure on a busy pass.
- Excellent communication skills and a passion for developing junior culinary talent.
Requirements:
- Driving Licence: A valid driving licence and your own reliable transport are essential due to our rural location in Firle.
- Accommodation: Please note this is a live-out position; no staff accommodation is provided. Candidates must be able to reliably commute or plan to relocate to the area before starting work.
- Experience: Minimum 2–3 years in a high-volume, fresh-food kitchen environment.
Benefits:
- Highly competitive base salary (£35k–£40k DOE)
- Substantial monthly service charge / tronc
- Genuine opportunities for career growth and creative input
- Clear support, coaching, and mentoring from the Head Chef and ownership team
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food on shift
- On-site parking
To Apply:
If you are a talented, driven chef looking for the next step in your career at a renowned rural Sussex gastro pub, please submit your CV and a brief cover letter today.
Pay: £35,000.00-£40,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
