SOUS CHEF
Wild Root Kitchen | Halsall
Wild Root Kitchen is looking for an experienced, passionate and enthusiastic Sous Chef to join our small, friendly kitchen team.
Wild Root is a fully plant-based café founded by chef and owner Charlie Tomlinson. We’re passionate about beautiful, seasonal food, whole-food ingredients, fermentation and creating food that makes people feel good.
We’re looking for a chef who loves what they do, takes pride in their food and enjoys working as part of a small, collaborative team.
THE ROLE
This is a little different to a traditional Sous Chef role.
We have a small, hands-on kitchen, and our chefs work closely together rather than operating in a traditional hierarchical kitchen environment. You’ll work alongside our Head Chef when they are in, helping to maintain the high standards of the kitchen and contributing ideas to our menu and the way we work.
However, on the days when our Head Chef is not in, you will take responsibility for running the kitchen and leading the chefs on shift.
We’re therefore looking for someone who is confident working independently, can manage their own time and workload, and is able to look ahead and organise what needs to happen without needing constant direction.
You’ll be responsible for making sure the kitchen is prepped, organised and ready for service, delegating jobs where appropriate and ensuring the team works efficiently throughout the day.
With our new Liverpool Wild Root opening, there are also exciting opportunities to grow within the business. Our Head Chef will be spending time in Liverpool training and developing the new team, so the successful candidate will play an important role in keeping Halsall running smoothly in their absence. There may also be opportunities for the right person to work across both locations as we grow.
WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING
- Taking responsibility for running the kitchen when the Head Chef is not present
- Working alongside the Head Chef to maintain consistently high food and kitchen standards
- Leading and supporting the kitchen team during service
- Managing your own time effectively and planning the day's workload
- Organising and prioritising prep to ensure the kitchen is ready for service
- Delegating prep and kitchen tasks to other chefs where appropriate
- Preparing and cooking our plant-based menu to a consistently high standard
- Maintaining excellent presentation, portion control and consistency
- Managing stock levels and helping with ordering and deliveries
- Contributing ideas to seasonal menus and new dishes
- Helping with food costing and other kitchen admin where required
- Ensuring food safety, allergen, HACCP and hygiene procedures are followed at all times
- Maintaining a clean, organised and efficient kitchen
- Completing opening and closing procedures
- Working collaboratively with the wider Wild Root team
- Helping us deliver an excellent experience for every customer
WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR
You’ll ideally have previous experience as a Sous Chef, Senior Chef or experienced Chef de Partie, and be confident taking responsibility for a kitchen in the absence of the Head Chef.
Most importantly, we’re looking for someone who is:
- Proactive and able to manage their own time without needing constant direction
- Organised and able to plan ahead
- Confident making decisions and taking ownership
- Comfortable leading a small team and delegating tasks
- Passionate about food and genuinely excited by plant-based cooking
- Experienced working with fresh, whole-food ingredients
- Happy working hands-on in a small, collaborative kitchen
- Creative and interested in developing dishes and ideas
- Calm and capable during busy services
- Reliable, positive and hardworking
- Someone who takes pride in the details — from prep and presentation to cleanliness and consistency
This role would suit someone who enjoys responsibility and autonomy. You’ll be trusted to organise your day, manage the kitchen and get the team where they need to be, rather than being given a list of tasks to simply work through.
THE HOURS
Minimum 25 hours per week
Our kitchen operates predominantly during the day, with shifts starting from 8am and finishing no later than 5pm, unless we are running a special event.
We aim to offer alternating weekends wherever possible, because we believe having a good work-life balance is important.
WHY WILD ROOT?
If you’re a chef who is tired of long hours, late nights and traditional high-pressure kitchen environments, Wild Root offers something a little different.
You’ll be cooking with beautiful whole-food ingredients, working in a small and supportive team and enjoying predominantly daytime hours in our rural Lancashire setting.
And with Liverpool on the horizon, this is an exciting time to join us. We’re growing, but we want to retain the collaborative, independent spirit that makes Wild Root what it is.
If you’re an experienced chef who wants responsibility, autonomy, creative input and the opportunity to grow with an independent food business, we’d love to hear from you.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £13.50-£15.00 per hour
Expected hours: No less than 25.0 per week
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Store discount
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Halsall, Lancashire: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Experience:
- Chef: 2 years (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (preferred)
Work Location: In person
