Sous Chef

Job summary

The Sous Chef plays a key role within Jewish Cares Catering & Hospitality services, supporting the delivery of high-quality, nutritious, and culturally appropriate meals across our care homes and community sites. Working as part of a skilled kitchen team, the postholder will assist the Head Chef in the day-to-day running of the kitchen, ensuring food preparation, production, and service meet high standards of quality, hygiene, and presentation. The role includes supervising kitchen staff, maintaining food safety and compliance standards, supporting menu planning, managing stock and costs, and deputising for the Head Chef when required. This is an opportunity for a passionate culinary professional to contribute to a warm, community-focused environment where food plays a vital role in resident wellbeing and experience.

Main duties of the job

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Sous Chef to join our Catering & Hospitality team. You will support the Head Chef in delivering high-quality meals across our care homes and community services, ensuring excellent food standards, hygiene compliance, and efficient kitchen operations. The role involves supervising kitchen staff, assisting with menu development, managing stock and budgets, and maintaining a safe and well-organised kitchen environment. You will also deputise for the Head Chef when required. The successful candidate will have previous supervisory experience in a busy kitchen, strong knowledge of food hygiene standards, and a passion for delivering excellent food in a care-focused setting.

About us

Jewish Care is the largest health and social care charity serving the Jewish community in London and the South East. Every week, our services support around 12,000 people through residential care, nursing care, retirement living, housing with care, community support, mental health services, and wellbeing programmes. Our Catering & Hospitality teams play an essential role in supporting resident wellbeing by providing high-quality meals in welcoming, safe, and community-focused environments. Guided by values of excellence, integrity, compassion, innovation, and inclusiveness, we are committed to delivering outstanding care and services that enhance quality of life and create meaningful daily experiences for all who use our services.

Details

• Date posted: 16 June 2026
• Pay scheme: Other
• Salary: £37,543 a year
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: VP2603AA28
• Job locations: Golders Green, NW11 9DQ, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

This isnt just catering this is Jewish Care catering

Were seeking a skilled and passionate Sous Chef to join our team at our Maurice and Vivienne Wohl Campus in Golders Green, youll be working in a high-spec kitchen with top-quality equipment, including Rational iCombi ovens, as well as working in an established and high-performing team.

Our sociable working hours offer the perfect work-life balance and youll be able to make a real difference to our service users and residents through providing great quality meals and catering. Our campus locations offer a great working environment, with the opportunity to work with a diverse and brilliant team. Youll also support in the catering for our numerous events.

We strive to be an employer of choice, fostering a positive kitchen culture where staff feel valued and supported. As a result, our team members stay with us long-term, allowing us to build strong, well-established teams that work collaboratively and support one another. If you are not familiar with Kosher kitchen practices dont worry full training is provided.

We offer great benefits, including

• Free soup and sandwich during shifts
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Discounted gym membership, and shopping discounts
• Employee Assistance Programme for wellbeing support, and access to a 24/7 GP
• Company sick pay and 4% employer pension contributions

We are seeking a culinary professional who is committed to delivering high-quality, nutritious, and delicious meals to our residents, service users and their families & friends.

This post is working 40 hours per week working Monday to Friday and may include some weekends as required.

As the Sous Chef you will be responsible for:

• Ensuring we deliver an excellent service to our customers, creating an inviting and pleasant environment. Your core duties will involve:
• Ensuring all food produced is to the agreed standard, developing innovative approaches ensuring market trends, cultural requirements and Kashrut laws are met
• Ensuring all food hygiene and Health & Safety practices are monitored, met, and recorded in line with organisational policies and current legislations
• Working within the agreed budget, administer unit controls in line with budget and consistently seek and implement ways of improving the quality and cost effectiveness of the service
• Leading, motivating and encouraging team building to ensure agreed qualitative outcomes are achieved and customer service expectations are exceeded and maintained
• Deputising for the Head Chef in their absence and comply with their responsibilities

Who are we looking for?

You will ideally have previous experience working within a busy kitchen environment, working both independently and within a team. You will need:

• Appropriate supervisory experience and relevant qualifications pertaining to the safe delivery of Food & Hygiene or Catering Services. NVQ Level 2 or 3
• Energetic, passionate and proactive attitude
• Experience of working to deadlines and adhering to budgetary requirements.
• Understands the challenge of and sensitivity needed to care and support vulnerable people