Junior Sous Chef

2 AA Rosette Boutique Hotel | Ambitious Fine Dining Kitchen

Clearwell, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire

Up to £36,000 + £4,000–£6,000 Tips
Package Circa £40,000+ | Live-In Available | Progression Opportunity

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an ambitious Junior Sous Chef to join the brigade at an award-winning boutique country house hotel in the heart of the Forest of Dean.

The hotel's intimate restaurant currently holds 2 AA Rosettes, with a strong focus on refined seasonal cooking, excellent local produce and continuing to develop the standards of the kitchen.

This is an ideal opportunity for a strong Chef de Partie ready to take their first step into management, or an existing Junior Sous Chef looking to strengthen their experience within a quality Rosette kitchen.

The Hotel & Restaurant

Set within the beautiful Royal Forest of Dean, the property is an intimate boutique hotel with approximately 20 individually designed rooms, cottages and suites.

The restaurant typically serves around 40 covers in the evening, allowing the kitchen to concentrate on quality, consistency and attention to detail rather than high-volume production.

The food is built around fresh, seasonal and locally sourced produce, with the kitchen maintaining its established 2 AA Rosette standards while continuing to push the food offering forward.

The Role

As Junior Sous Chef, you'll work closely with the senior kitchen team while taking on increasing responsibility for both service and the development of the brigade.

You'll be expected to:

Support the senior chefs with the day-to-day running of the kitchen
Lead sections and services confidently when required
Maintain consistently high 2 AA Rosette standards
Work with fresh, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients
Support menu development and new dish creation
Maintain excellent flavour, presentation and consistency
Train, support and motivate junior members of the brigade
Assist with ordering, stock control and waste management
Maintain excellent organisation throughout preparation and service
Ensure outstanding food hygiene, allergen and Health & Safety standards
Continue developing your own leadership and technical abilities

About You

We're looking for someone who has:

Previous Junior Sous Chef experience or strong Chef de Partie experience ready for progression
2 AA Rosette experience or above
Strong fresh-food and classical cooking skills
Confidence running a busy section
A genuine passion for quality ingredients and accomplished cooking
Excellent organisation and attention to detail
A calm, professional approach during service
The ability to support and develop junior chefs
A positive attitude towards guest requirements and dietary needs
Genuine ambition to progress within a quality kitchen

The Chef is particularly keen to find someone with the right attitude and ambition, who wants to become an important part of the brigade and continue developing within the operation.

The Package

Salary up to £36,000 per annum
Approximately £4,000–£6,000 per annum in tips
Typical tips of around £400 per month
Overall package circa £40,000–£42,000
Live-in accommodation available
28 days holiday including bank holidays
Company pension
Uniform provided
Cycle to work scheme
Discounts on meals, treatments and hotel stays
Team referral scheme
Annual staff party
Long-service rewards
Ongoing training and career development

New starters may initially join at around £34,000, progressing to the full £36,000 following successful probation. The Chef confirmed that this progression is the normal route and that during his time at the property nobody completing the period has failed to receive the increase.

Why This Role?

This is a strong opportunity for a chef looking to make a genuine progression move rather than simply changing kitchens.

You'll be joining an intimate 2 AA Rosette operation, working with quality seasonal produce and taking on increasing leadership responsibility, with the opportunity to develop from strong CDP level into an established Junior Sous Chef.

With live-in accommodation available and a package realistically around £40,000–£42,000, it's also a competitive opportunity for someone looking to relocate to the Forest of Dean and continue building a strong Rosette-level CV.