Junior Sous

Knepp Castle Estate, Knepp Farms LLP; Dial Post; On-site; GBP 33,000 - GBP 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned rewilding estate in England is seeking a motivated Junior Sous Chef to join their kitchen team. This role involves supporting the Head Chef, leading kitchen sections, and maintaining high standards of food quality using sustainable ingredients. Ideal candidates should have experience in high-volume restaurants and skills in people management. The position offers development opportunities, a good work-life balance, and significant discounts. To apply, send your CV and a cover letter to the specified email.

Benefits

50% off in the restaurant

20% off in the shop

Supportive management team

Summer and Christmas parties

Coffee & tea on tap

Qualifications

• Experience at senior management level in high-volume, quality-focused restaurants.
• Confident communicator with a passion for sustainability.
• Ability to get to site independently due to rural location.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head Chef and Sous Chef in daily kitchen operations.
• Lead kitchen sections during service to ensure high standards.
• Train and motivate junior kitchen staff.

Skills

Organisational skills

Communication

Teamwork

Proactive attitude

Job description

Salary: £33,000-35,000 (excluding tips)
Tips: Approx. £800+/month
Hours: 45 hours per week over five days
Location: Knepp Wilding Kitchen, Dial Post, West Sussex, RH13 8PY

The Role

We’re looking for an ambitious and motivated Junior Sous Chef to join the team at Knepp Wilding Kitchen. Working closely with the Head Chef and Sous Chef, you’ll play a key role in delivering exceptional food using outstanding produce from our rewilding estate, on-site butchery and three-acre market garden. This is an excellent opportunity for a developing chef to step into a leadership position within a purpose-led, ingredient-driven kitchen focused on sustainability, seasonality and quality.

About Knepp

Knepp is a 3,500-acre rewilding estate near Horsham, pioneering nature-led land management. Our kitchen showcases award-winning beef, venison and pork, alongside seasonal vegetables grown in our three-acre on-site market garden.

We are an ingredient-led, Michelin-listed, high-paced restaurant, focused on celebrating the very best sustainable British produce.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Head Chef and Sous Chef in the day-to-day running of the kitchen
• Lead sections during service and ensure consistently high standards across all dishes
• Help train, motivate and support junior members of the kitchen team
• Assist with menu development and daily specials, driven by seasonality and availability
• Contribute to stock control, ordering and waste reduction
• Support with events and larger services when required
• Maintain a safe, clean and organised kitchen, adhering to 5-star EHO standards

Requirements

• We are a rural site, the candidate must be able to get to site independently
• Experience at senior management level
• Experience in people management
• Experience in high-volume, quality-focused restaurant
• Ready to take the next step into a Junior Sous role
• Strong organisational skills and a positive, proactive attitude
• A passion for great produce, sustainability and continuous learning
• Confident communicator and team player
• Development opportunities, training and career progression
• Good work-life balance, with almost entirely daytime trade
• Summer and Christmas parties
• Coffee & tea on tap
• 50% off in the restaurant, 20% off in the shop
• Supportive and encouraging management team

To apply

Please send a copy of your CV and a short covering letter to [e-mail], explaining how your experience, qualities and values align with the job description and person specification.

Knepp is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity in our team as much as we do in our landscape. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles at Knepp.

Our 12+ Policy

Knepp Wildland Safaris, our gardens and campsite are all about the quiet and patient observation of nature.

Some of the species we are likely to encounter are shy or can be frightened by loud noises or sudden movements. Our campsite with open-air fire-pits, wood-burning stoves and an on-site pond is unsuitable for small children.

For this reason, our safaris, garden visits, holiday cottages and campsite are suitable only for children of 12 and over.