Sous Chef / Second Chef
Love breakfast and brunch? Looking for a chef role where you can have a life outside the kitchen?
If you're tired of late nights, endless split shifts and working every weekend until midnight, this could be the role you've been looking for.
Over the past decade, breakfast and brunch have become one of the fastest-growing sectors in hospitality. People are no longer just looking for somewhere to grab a coffee they're looking for an experience. High-quality brunch dishes, speciality coffee, artisan bakes and beautifully presented drinks have become destinations in their own right. Social media has played a huge role in this, with customers actively seeking independent venues that offer unique menus, great atmosphere and food worth sharing.
At The Apple Tree, we've grown alongside this movement. What started over 14 years ago as a local coffee shop has evolved into a thriving destination where people travel specifically for our breakfasts, brunches, artisan drinks and homemade bakes. Our customers don't simply stop by, they book tables, celebrate special occasions, meet friends and return week after week because of the experience we've created.
Our restaurant and courtyard are consistently busy, our bookable tables are often full weeks in advance, and customers travel from across the region to visit us. We've embraced the growing brunch and speciality coffee culture while staying true to what matters most, great food, genuine hospitality and creating an experience people come back for time and time again.
We're now looking for an experienced Sous Chef / Second Chef to join our award-winning kitchen and become an integral part of our next chapter.
The Role
You'll work closely alongside our Head Chef as part of a close knit team of two, helping deliver the exceptional breakfasts, brunches and lunches that have built our reputation.
This isn't a role where you'll simply be left to follow recipes all day. We value consistency above all else, but we're always looking to refine, improve and evolve. Your ideas will be welcomed, whether that's improving an existing dish, introducing a seasonal special or helping shape future menus.
For someone with ambition, there's also the opportunity to develop your own themed evenings and special events as our business continues to grow.
What You'll Be Doing
- Preparing and presenting exceptional breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes to a consistently high standard.
- Working closely with the Head Chef to ensure smooth day-to-day kitchen operations.
- Helping refine menus, develop seasonal specials and contribute new ideas.
- Leading the kitchen confidently when the Head Chef is away.
- Supporting stock ordering, rotation and kitchen organisation.
- Maintaining excellent food hygiene and presentation standards.
- Working closely with our front-of-house team to deliver an outstanding customer experience.
- Supporting occasional private hire events and one Friday evening in every three.
Why You'll Love This Role
Hospitality with a genuine work-life balance
Most of your shifts are 7:30am - 4:00pm, meaning you'll have your evenings free to enjoy.
We're open Thursday to Monday, giving you every Tuesday and Wednesday off, with just one Friday evening in every three and the occasional private hire event.
It's a rare opportunity to enjoy a successful hospitality career without sacrificing your personal life.
Be part of something special
You'll be joining one of Derbyshire's best-loved independent hospitality businesses.
- TripAdvisor's No.1 Coffee Shop for over five years.
- Award-winning independent business.
- Consistently busy with bookable tables regularly full.
- A loyal customer base that genuinely appreciates great food.
- A supportive team where your contribution really matters.
Your career doesn't stop here
We're an ambitious business that's continually growing.
If you've got ideas, we'll listen.
If you'd like to develop seasonal specials, improve existing dishes or even host your own themed evenings in the future, we'll support you.
We want people who enjoy taking ownership and helping us continue to evolve.
We're Looking For Someone Who
- Has experience as a Sous Chef, Second Chef or Senior Chef de Partie.
- Loves breakfast, brunch and the growing coffee shop culture dining.
- Thrives in a fast-paced kitchen.
- Takes pride in consistency and attention to detail.
- Is calm, organised and reliable under pressure.
- Leads by example and enjoys working as part of a close-knit team.
- Wants to build a long-term career with an ambitious independent business.
- Takes genuine pride in producing exceptional food every single service.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary (depending on experience).
- Performance-related bonus.
- Company pension.
- Staff meals and employee discount.
- Free on-site parking.
- Genuine opportunities for progression.
- A supportive, passionate team.
- Mostly daytime working hours.
- A role where your ideas and contribution genuinely matter.
We're looking for someone who wants more than just another chef job.
We want someone who's proud of what they cook, enjoys being part of a close knit team and wants to help us continue building one of Derbyshire's favourite brunch destinations.
If that sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you.
Job Type
Full-time | Permanent
Hours
Thursday to Monday
Typical shift: 7:30am – 4:00pm
One Friday evening in every three, plus occasional private hire events.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £28,000.00-£32,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Derby DE72 3RF: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Application question(s):
- Do you hold a UK driving licence?
- What culinary training do you have?
Experience:
- Kitchen: 4 years (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
