Sous Chef
Company: Distinctive Inns
Location: Derby
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Contracted Hours: Guaranteed 45-Hour Weekly Contract + Hourly Paid Overtime
Base Salary: £13.71 – £15.21 per hour (£32,169.54 – £35,689.18 per annum)
Estimated Gratuities: +£0.95 per hour (~£2,223.00 per annum in tips)
Total Package Value: Up to £37,912.18 per annum
The Opportunity
Are you a passionate hospitality professional looking for guaranteed hours, hourly paid overtime, and clear pathways for career progression?
Distinctive Inns is a leading, independently owned pub company in the East Midlands. We are known for providing an uncompromised approach to delivering high-quality food and drink within stylish interiors, combining comfort and atmosphere with outstanding service.
We are seeking a talented chef to join our kitchen team. We take pride in running smooth, modern operations backed by cutting-edge industry technology—from advanced reservation and rostering systems to modern procurement tools—ensuring every department works in harmony. If you thrive in a high-quality food environment and want a role where every single hour worked is paid, we want to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities
- Culinary Excellence: Prepare, cook, and present high-quality dishes in line with company spec sheets and standards, delivering an exceptional dining experience.
- Kitchen Operations: Assist with daily prep schedules, inventory management, stock rotation, and wastage control to maximize food profitability.
- Health & Safety Compliance: Maintain immaculate kitchen hygiene, food safety documentation, and allergen protocols using our digital compliance systems.
- Team Collaboration: Work in harmony with front-of-house teams and kitchen peers to ensure efficient service delivery during peak trading hours.
- Continuous Improvement: Participate in regular performance appraisals, training courses, and pay reviews to accelerate your promotion readiness.
Requirements
- Experience: Proven track record working inside a busy, high-volume kitchen or fresh-food pub setting.
- Standards Focus: A passion for fresh ingredients, high presentation standards, and consistent quality delivery.
- Work Ethic: Punctual, reliable, and comfortable working standard hospitality shift patterns across weekdays, evenings, and weekends.
- Communication: Excellent communication skills with a team-first mindset.
What We Offer
- Guaranteed Hours & Paid Overtime: A guaranteed 45-hour weekly contract with every extra hour paid—no unpaid salary overtime!
- Transparent Total Pay: Competitive hourly rates between £13.71 and £15.21/hr, supplemented by an estimated £0.95/hr in tips (£2,223.00/yr).
- Accredited Training & Development: Access to a wide range of nationally recognized training courses, accreditations, and qualifications to boost your CV.
- Promotion From Within: Regular pay reviews linked to performance appraisals, offering fast-track opportunities into senior management roles.
- Modern Operations: Work with cutting-edge rostering, procurement, and kitchen management technologies.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £34,392.54-£37,912.18 per year
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
Application question(s):
- Are you available and willing to work key shifts, including Friday nights, Saturday nights and Sunday lunches each week?
- (A) What do you enjoy doing outside of work? (B) How might your hobbies or other commitments affect your availability?
- How do you plan to travel to and from work?
- If you're currently employed, what motivates you to leave your present role?
- How many days were you absent from work or unavailable in the past 12 months?
- How would you describe yourself in three words?
- What do you consider your strongest attributes or skills and how would they benefit our team?
- What would you say is your biggest weakness and how do you actively manage it?
- If successful, is there any area where you might need initial support or training?
Language:
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
