Join the Hempstead House family!

Sous Chef

Job post summary

Date posted: 10 September 2025

Pay: £31,000.00-£34,000.00 per year

Job Description:

Starting Autumn 2025

Key attraction:

• Main and Function Kitchen Management
• New Menu designs
• 7 course tasting menu
• Working closely with our Head Chef in COS/GP & Ordering
• Service and Preparation leadership
• Fresh food production. AA Rosette Dining. A La Carte Menu.
• 5 days per week
• Full Time 40 hours
• Flexible rota
• Gym/Spa membership

We are looking for an experienced Sous Chef to work closely with our Head Chef in our organised and busy restaurant as we progress into an exciting new direction of catering at Hempstead House.

We are welcoming your application to join our team and offer a flexible work balance of hours to ensure that our business continues to develop and your lifestyle is rewarded as part of our approach to improve the role in a kitchen environment.

Scope and Purpose of the role

You will be involved leading the kitchen in abscense of the Head Chef with food prepartation, service and team management. Our exciting range of menus for functions and special events showcases your ideas and supported by our kitchen team for all training and developments you will be a key part of our future.

To prepare and cook to our high standards of home made and home cooked menus. Using fresh ingredients and the opportunity to work on all aspects of the kitchen from starters, main course and deserts to afternoon tea, buffets and our Thai Menu.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead and develop your section of the Kitchen effectively through teamwork, skill, initiative and communication and assume a leadership role in support of the Head Chef during all periods of service.
• To be responsible for preparing all dishes, sauces, preparation in the kitchen which complement the menu and meet the high standards the Hotel expects.
• Being part of an effective team who provide smooth and friendly cooperation, communication, training & mentoring within the kitchen
• To ensure effective daily communication with relevant departments to support an effective working relationship so service from the Kitchen is professional and effectively managed.
• Training, supervising and assisting all kitchen staff in the preparation, cooking and presentation of all dishes so a consistently high level of food preparation is always provided across all areas of the kitchen.
• Responsible for ensuring the training records are continually up to date and accurate. Requesting training as needed.
• To put new ideas forward which will improve the smooth running of the department.
• Comply with statutory and legal requirements for Hygiene, Health and Safety and other legislation, ensuring that members of the kitchen team are also aware of these requirements.
• Flexible and willing to meet the demands of the business.
• To undertake such other duties commensurate with the post holder’s level of responsibility and seniority as may reasonable be required.

Person Specification

• Minimum of 1 year experience required at fine dining or level 2-3 catering or pub/hotel or restaurant.
• Able to work at a rapid pace while maintaining attention to detail with the ability to multi-task.
• Skills to receive and also give instructions to team members
• Professional, articulate, friendly, and punctual.
• Excellent use of various cooking methods, ingredients, equipment and processes.
• Ability to multitask and work efficiently under pressure.
• Knowledge of best cooking practices and understanding of trends and new styles.
• Attention to detail and high standards of presentation, creative flair and imagination with the aim of delighting and surprising our customers.
• Able to work effectively as part of a team with a ‘can do’ attitude and a willingness to continually improve; reliable and accurate.
• Food Hygiene qualifications and professional cooking qualification can be achieved as part of your employment.
• Approachable and dedicated to ensure that the highest standards are always achieved.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount
• Free parking
• Gym membership
• Uniform & footwear Provided

Experience:

• Kitchen: 2 year (preferred)

Work Location: In person

Hotel Administrative Receptionist

Join Our Hotel Reception Team – Be the Face of Hempstead House Hotel!

We’re on the lookout for a confident, organised, and friendly Hotel Receptionist with previous experience in a customer facing administrative role to join our busy team at the hotel front desk. If you love helping guests feel welcome and thrive in a fast-paced environment, we’d love to hear from you!

As the first point of contact for our guests, you'll play a vital role in creating memorable experiences – from checking them in with a smile, helping them book dining/spa reservations to complement their stay, or making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes - all while maintaining our high level of customer service expected at our 4 star hotel.

Be part of a small, supportive team who value exemplary communication and cohesion as the key to the success for our guest experience in a busy hotel where no two days are the same. You'll be welcoming guests, dealing with enquiries, handling check-in/check-out, managing bookings via phone, email, and in person with a keen attention to detail, and supporting your team, manager and other departments with your administrative responsibilities. 

We are ideally looking for an organised, natural people-person with excellent communication skills who can stay calm under pressure and provide service with a smile, with previous experience in a hotel or front desk role. A flexible approach to rota and shift patterns is essential as you'll be working:  

• Morning Shifts: 7am–3pm / 8am–4pm
• Middle Shifts: 10am–6pm
• Late Shifts: 2pm–10pm / 3pm–11pm

Weekdays and weekends are part of the rota.

We are looking for a part time role at 32 hours per week. 

£12.21 p/h with increase up to £12.74p/h upon successful completion of 3 month probationary period.

Ready to apply?

Please submit your application via Indeed here: Hotel Administrative Receptionist - Sittingbourne ME9 9PP - Indeed.com