Sous Chef - Crawley

Barons Pub Company Ltd; Crawley; On-site; GBP 30,000 - GBP 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pub company in Crawley is seeking an experienced Sous Chef to join their Kitchen Management team. Candidates should have at least 2 years of experience in high-volume kitchens and demonstrate strong leadership skills. Responsibilities include assisting the Head Chef in maintaining food quality, leading a team of chefs, and ensuring efficient kitchen operations. The role offers excellent training and development opportunities, including qualifications and various employee perks.

Benefits

Excellent training and professional development

Long-service gifts

Inspiring industry days out

Refer a Chef bonus scheme

Meals while on duty

Safety shoes and uniform provided

Employee of the month voucher

50% staff discount on food

Wagestream access

Health and well-being resources

Pension contributions and holiday pay

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of experience in high-volume kitchens as a Shift Leader or similar role.
• Ability to manage a team of up to 5 chefs/KPs.
• Strong commitment to mentoring and team development.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Head Chef in maintaining exceptional food quality.
• Ensure kitchen runs professionally and efficiently.
• Lead and motivate kitchen team to produce high-standard meals.

Skills

Mentoring and developing teams

Excellent food quality and presentation

Ability to remain calm under pressure

Detail-oriented

Job description

Proud to be finalists at 2026 Publican Awards – Best Pub Employer!

• Live OUT position – no accommodation offered with the job
• Excellent training and professional development, including achieving a L4 Management Diploma, L3 Health & Safety, Training Skills, Fire Marshall, First Aid…and much more
• Long‑service gifts and treats because we value our employees
• Inspiring industry days out, trips to vineyards and breweries, staff parties and other team‑building events – all to celebrate success
• Refer a Chef bonus scheme – earn yourself £s
• Meals whilst on duty to sample our menu
• Safety shoes and first set of uniform provided
• Employee of the month – win a £50 voucher
• Staff discount – 50% off food when visiting any of our 11 sites
• We offer Wagestream – access to a percentage of your pay as you earn it and shopping discounts
• Dedicated resources to support Health and Total Wellbeing
• Pension contributions (NEST) and 28 days holiday pay

Our Sous Chefs are committed and passionate about their teams and about the food that they serve. You will need to have had at least 2 years of previous experience of working in high‑volume kitchens as a Shift Leader/Duty Chef/Chef Manager – delivering dishes to company time standards and specification, and managing teams of up to 5 chefs/KPs on service.

The Curious Pig is the latest addition to the Barons family and after a successful first year trading we are now looking to grow the Kitchen Management team.

A key factor of your success will be the ability to remain calm under pressure, and have the qualities to lead and motivate the team to consistently produce great food.

The dishes and specials on the menus are created by our food development team and change regularly; ensuring your kitchen team delivers meals to these tight specifications is another key part of the role.

What we are looking for in a Sous Chef will be the ability to remain calm under pressure, and have the qualities to lead and motivate the team to consistently produce great food.

• You will have a solid commitment to mentoring and developing teams, and a keen eye for detail
• You will assist the Head Chef in providing exceptional food quality and presentation
• You will strive to ensure the kitchen is run professionally, profitably, efficiently and compliantly

Barons success has been firmly built through its people. We provide a culture where everyone is given the opportunity to meet their potential, and develop their behaviours, skills and knowledge through our Barons Training Academy. Developing leadership competencies that enable individuals to grow, is how we are able to deliver our high standards of food and drink service. All successful candidates will be given the opportunity to achieve Management qualifications whilst working in their role.