About Company
For a culinary artisan ready to elevate their craft, Career.zycto offers an unparalleled platform. We are pioneering a new standard for fine dining in Middlesbrough, driven by a passion for exquisite ingredients, innovative techniques, and unforgettable guest experiences. Here, your creativity will be celebrated, your leadership nurtured, and your dedication to gastronomic excellence will find its true home. Join a dynamic team where collaboration and mastery define our kitchen’s heartbeat, and where every dish tells a story of precision and passion. We believe in empowering our chefs to push boundaries and define the future of modern British cuisine.
Job Description
Are you a passionate and ambitious Sous Chef with a flair for fine dining and a desire to make a significant impact? Career.zycto is urgently seeking a talented and dedicated Sous Chef to join our esteemed culinary team in Middlesbrough. This is an exceptional opportunity to be a pivotal part of a kitchen that prides itself on innovation, quality, and delivering an unforgettable dining experience. We are creating a new benchmark for gastronomy in North Yorkshire, focusing on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients transformed into modern British and European dishes with impeccable presentation.
As a Sous Chef, you will work hand-in-hand with our Head Chef, playing a crucial role in menu development, kitchen management, and the continuous training and mentoring of our brigade. We are looking for a creative leader who thrives in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment, possesses exceptional organisational skills, and maintains the highest standards of hygiene and food safety. Your ability to inspire, motivate, and manage a team will be paramount, ensuring seamless service delivery and consistent culinary excellence. This role demands a commitment to personal and professional growth, a meticulous eye for detail, and an unwavering passion for the art of cooking. If you are ready to immerse yourself in a challenging yet rewarding environment where your culinary expertise will be truly valued and your career can flourish, we invite you to become a key ingredient in our success story.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist the Head Chef in all aspects of kitchen management and food preparation, ensuring operational efficiency and culinary excellence.
- Oversee and coordinate the daily operations of the kitchen, including prep, service, and closing procedures, ensuring smooth workflow.
- Lead, mentor, and train junior chefs and kitchen staff, fostering a positive and productive work environment that encourages growth.
- Contribute significantly to menu planning, recipe development, and portion control to maintain high food quality while managing costs effectively.
- Ensure strict adherence to all food safety, hygiene, and sanitation standards (HACCP) across all kitchen areas.
- Manage inventory, stock rotation, and ordering of fresh produce and supplies, minimising waste and ensuring availability.
- Maintain all kitchen equipment, conducting regular checks and reporting any malfunctions for prompt repair to ensure functionality.
- Execute food preparation and cooking with precision, demonstrating advanced culinary techniques and attention to detail.
- Support cost control, waste management, and operational efficiency initiatives to optimise kitchen performance.
- Step in for the Head Chef in their absence, taking full responsibility for all kitchen functions and decision-making.
- Collaborate effectively with front-of-house staff to ensure seamless service and an exceptional guest dining experience.
Required Skills
- Proven experience as a Sous Chef or highly skilled Chef de Partie in a fine dining establishment (minimum 4 years).
- Demonstrated expertise in various culinary techniques, modern gastronomy, and ingredient handling.
- Strong leadership, team management, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Excellent knowledge of food safety and hygiene regulations (e.g., HACCP certified).
- Ability to work efficiently and maintain composure under pressure in a fast-paced kitchen environment.
- Exceptional organisational and time management abilities, with a keen eye for detail.
- Creativity and a genuine passion for developing innovative dishes and culinary concepts.
- Proficiency in inventory management, ordering systems, and cost control.
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and public holidays as required by the demands of a fine dining restaurant.
Preferred Qualifications
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent professional culinary qualification from a reputable institution.
- Prior experience with local and seasonal North Yorkshire produce, understanding regional specialities.
- Basic pastry or baking skills, adding versatility to the kitchen brigade.
- First Aid certification, enhancing safety protocols within the workplace.
Perks & Benefits
- Competitive salary package commensurate with experience and skill set.
- Significant opportunity for career advancement and continuous professional development.
- Work alongside a passionate, dedicated, and supportive culinary team.
- Generous staff discounts on dining at our esteemed establishment.
- Contribution to a pension scheme for your financial future.
- Employee recognition programs celebrating outstanding contributions.
- Paid annual leave and public holidays.
- A vibrant, dynamic, and creatively stimulating work environment at the forefront of fine dining.
How to Apply
Ready to bring your culinary talent to Career.zycto? We encourage all qualified candidates to apply. Please click on the application link below to submit your resume and a compelling cover letter outlining your experience, your passion for fine dining, and what makes you the ideal Sous Chef to contribute to our team’s success. We look forward to reviewing your application and potentially welcoming you to our kitchen.
