Job Ref: DAK1254
Branch: Dakota Newcastle
Location: Dakota Newcastle, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Salary/Benefits: Earnings are £42,000 including average anticipated tronc with the opportunity to earn an additional performance-related bonus of up to £1,000.
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Shift pattern: Usually shifts will be working any 5 days out of 7.
Hours per week: The role carries a permanent contract with typical hours of 45 hours per week.
Posted date: 16/06/2026
Closing date: 18/07/2026
We are seeking a creative Chef with strong leadership skills to join our Kitchen Team in the role of Senior Sous Chef.
PRIMARY ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Supporting the Head Chef with the running of the Kitchen including leading a smooth and busy service.
- Carry out managerial responsibilities including holding interviews and trial shifts, holding appraisals, and performance management.
- Support in driving the commercial performance of the kitchen by writing rotas and managing holidays, helping to write costed menus in line with the desired GP, carrying out stock take, and placing orders.
- Prepare and cook dishes according to the specification as set out by the Head Chef. This pertains to all menus including a la carte, room service, breakfast, bar food, bar snacks, events, and guest amenities.
- Be committed to working wholeheartedly as part of the team, effectively and positively communicating with all members of the kitchen and front of house team.
- Have a passion and display a willingness to train junior Chefs and apprentices in an open working environment of ongoing improvement.
- Strictly adhere to Health Safety and Food Hygiene legislation following best practice at all times and leading the team to do so consistently. Where assigned, write HACCP’s and oversee the completion of due diligence documentation to maintain our high food audit scores.
- Display a willingness to continuously learn and improve your skills as a professional Chef.
APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS
The successful applicant will have/be:
- A minimum of 5 years professional cooking experience in restaurant of a high calibre.
- A minimum of 3 years experience as a Junior Sous or above.
- Demonstrate effective leadership and communication skills which are in line with our positive and inclusive working environment.
- Trained and knowledgeable in food hygiene to level 2 or above, HACCP and allergens, although full training will be provided.
- Demonstrate a passion for quality food and preparation.
- Be hardworking and a team-player.
- An enthusiastic individual who will promote our culture of positivity.
- Be task oriented with a great pride for the work they do and attention to detail.
- Flexible with shift patterns and available around the needs of our business.
- Successful candidates must demonstrate having researched our brand and a genuine desire to be part of our team.
WHAT WE OFFER
In addition to being part of a culture infused with positivity and opportunity for ongoing development, tangible benefits you could enjoy when you join our team include:
FINANCIAL
- Special discounts on stays and dining at any Dakota
- Bonuses to recommend a friend to join our team and every time you are mentioned on Trip Advisor
- Additional holiday day on the first anniversary of your employment
- Meals on duty and uniforming
WELLBEING
- Access to our Employee Assistance Program which includes free private mental health support and counselling sessions, video GP consultations and private prescription services, as well as access to daily rewards to be cashed out for shopping vouchers
- Support from our inhouse Mental Health Champions
- Family-friendly flexible working options
- Participation in meaningful initiatives such as Macmillan Cancer Support Coffee Morning and the Walk for Wellbeing, Supporting causes that matter while connecting with colleagues
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
- Accredited, certified compliance training given on employment
- Access to a suite of external, certified resources via our Learning Management System
- Supportive continuous professional development culture with an annual appraisal and objectives, or a Personal Development Plan
- Opportunities to undertake both internal and external training courses, including potential for in-house Apprenticeships
Full terms on our benefits can be found in our Handbook.
ABOUT DAKOTA HOTELS
Dakota is a growing UK-based lifestyle brand, known for our stylish hotels, bustling brasserie Grills and upscale cocktail Bars. Dakota’s story started with two boutique hotels on the outskirts of Edinburgh, in South Queensferry, and Glasgow, in Eurocentral. We have now expanded into prime city centre locations in Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, and Newcastle with more in our pipeline.
Dakota is synonymous for delivering attentive and genuine guest service. We attract hard-working individuals who are passionate about working to the highest standards and have been voted within The Caterer’s Top 15 Best Employers in Hospitality for the last five years in a row. We were also featured within the Top 10 employers in the 2024 Sunday Times Best Places to Work in the UK, as well as being awarded the Spotlight Award for Best Places to Work for LGBTQIA+ employees.
As recent winners of The Cateys ‘People Team of the Year’, we have award-winning internal training programmes within Dakota Academy fostering continuous development and ongoing training. As a result, over 75% of our leaders have been promoted internally and, for four consecutive years, a member of our team has won a prestigious Acorn Award awarded by The Caterer to the ‘Top 30 under 30’ in the industry, demonstrating our success in developing talent.
APPLY
Please send us your up to date CV.
ABOUT DAKOTA NEWCASTLE
Ideally situated on the Quayside, our hotel boasts 118 bedrooms including 33 suites. Dakota Newcastle hosts our renowned Bar Grill, Champagne Room, Cigar Terrace, and an events space for up to 60.
ABOUT DAKOTA HOTELS
Dakota is a growing UK-based lifestyle brand, known for our stylish hotels, bustling brasserie Grills and upscale cocktail Bars. Dakota’s story started with two boutique hotels on the outskirts of Edinburgh, in South Queensferry, and Glasgow, in Eurocentral. We have now expanded into prime city centre locations in Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, and Newcastle. With our newest hotel opening at Manchester Airport with more in our pipeline.
Dakota is synonymous for delivering attentive and genuine guest service. We attract hard-working individuals who are passionate about working to the highest standards and have been voted within The Caterer’s Top 15 Best Employers in Hospitality for the last six years in a row. We were also featured within the Top 10 employers in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work in the UK for the last three years running.
As winners of The Cateys ‘People Team of the Year’, we have award-winning internal training programmes within Dakota Academy fostering continuous development and ongoing training. As a result, over 75% of our leaders have been promoted internally and, for five consecutive years, a member of our team has won a prestigious Acorn Award awarded by The Caterer to the ‘Top 30 under 30’ in the industry, demonstrating our success in developing talent.
