Sous Chef in Maidenhead, Berkshire

LJ Recruitment is exclusively partnering with an exciting, premium Spanish restaurant in Maidenhead to find an ambitious Sous Chef ready to make their next big career move.

This isn't a "Sous Chef forever" role.

The goal is simple: develop the right person into Head Chef within 6-12 months.

If you're an ambitious Sous Chef - or an exceptional Senior CDP ready to step up - and you've got the skills, standards and leadership ability to take charge of a serious kitchen operation, this could be the opportunity you've been waiting for.

🔥 Head Chef progression in 6-12 months
💰 £43,000-£44,000 OTE including Tronc
👨‍🍳 Lead a brigade of 5-6 chefs
🍽️ High-volume operation - up to 450 covers
🇪🇸 Modern Spanish & Mediterranean-inspired cuisine
🚀 Growing restaurant group - 3rd site opening next year
🏠 Accommodation assistance available
📅 Five straight shifts per week, on a rota basis

You'll be joining a sophisticated, high-energy restaurant where quality, consistency and execution really matter.

The kitchen is busy, the standards are high and the opportunity to progress is genuine.

You'll work closely with the existing Head Chef and gradually take on more responsibility across the operation.

You'll be trusted to:

• Lead and motivate a brigade of 5-6 chefs
• Take full control of the kitchen when the Head Chef is away
• Drive standards across food quality, presentation and consistency
• Play a genuine role in menu development and seasonal dishes
• Manage prep, service and kitchen organisation
• Support ordering, stock control and food cost
• Coach and develop junior chefs
• Maintain excellent food safety, hygiene and HACCP standards
• Lead the kitchen through services of up to 450 covers
• Take increasing ownership of the operation with the aim of stepping into Head Chef within 6-12 months

This is a hands-on chef's role. You'll be cooking, leading and setting the standard from the front.

We're interested in ambitious, high-calibre chefs who want more.

You could be:

A Sous Chef looking for a clear route into your first Head Chef position.

A Senior CDP who has the ability and confidence to step up into kitchen leadership.

A high-end chef from a fine dining, Michelin, Rosette, luxury hotel, premium casual or quality independent background.

Spanish cuisine experience is a bonus, not a requirement.

We're far more interested in your culinary ability, standards, leadership potential and ambition.

You'll ideally have:

• Strong technical and classical cooking skills
• Experience in a quality-driven kitchen
• Excellent attention to detail and presentation
• The confidence to lead a brigade during busy services
• A calm, organised approach under pressure
• Strong communication and leadership skills
• A genuine passion for food and ingredients
• The ability to lead by example
• The ambition to become a Head Chef
• An appetite to learn Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine

£35,000 basic salary + Tronc
£43,000-£44,000 OTE
Head Chef progression within 6-12 months
Accommodation assistance
Five straight shifts per week
Real input into menus and culinary direction
Experienced Head Chef to learn from
Career progression within a growing restaurant group
Opportunity to grow with the business as it expands

If you're already operating at Sous Chef level - or you're a seriously capable Senior CDP ready to prove yourself - and you want a genuine, defined route into Head Chef, this is an opportunity worth talking about.

You don't need to be a Spanish specialist.

You need talent, ambition, leadership and seriously high standards.

Ready to make the jump?

Apply now for a confidential conversation with LJ Recruitment.

Your next role could be the one that takes you to Head Chef.