Relief Sous Chef

RELIEF SOUS CHEF

Houston & Hawkes | London | £42,000 per annum | 40 hours per week | Monday to Friday

Variety, exceptional food and the opportunity to bring your skills to some of our most prestigious Central London client sites.

Houston & Hawkes is looking for a talented Relief Sous Chef to join our culinary team, working across a portfolio of premium Central London client sites. This is an exciting opportunity for a confident, adaptable chef who enjoys variety, loves working with different teams and can bring exceptional standards wherever they are needed.

One day you may be supporting a vibrant retail service, the next helping deliver an elegant fine dining lunch or high-end hospitality event. You’ll work alongside talented chefs across our business, bringing creativity, consistency and a calm, professional approach to every kitchen you support.

THE ROLE

• Provide hands-on culinary support across a portfolio of premium Central London client sites
• Relief Sous Chefs, Head Chefs and kitchen teams during busy periods, holidays and operational requirements
• Prepare and deliver exceptional food across both retail and fine dining hospitality
• Support high-end hospitality, working lunches, events and bespoke client requirements
• Step confidently into different kitchens and quickly understand each site’s food offer, team and priorities
• Maintain exceptional quality, consistency and presentation wherever you are working
• Bring creativity and fresh ideas while respecting the individual style and requirements of each site
• Support menu preparation, ordering, stock control, food cost and waste management where required
• Work collaboratively with chefs and front-of-house teams to deliver seamless service
• Support and guide junior chefs, sharing knowledge and maintaining strong kitchen standards
• Maintain excellent food safety, allergen, hygiene and health and safety standards at all times

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

• A strong background in contract catering, five-star hotels, Michelin-level restaurants or another premium food environment
• Experience across both retail food and fine dining hospitality is highly desirable
• A genuine passion for fresh, beautifully prepared food and exceptional presentation
• The confidence to move between different Central London sites and adapt quickly to new kitchens and teams
• Strong culinary skills with the ability to maintain consistently high standards
• Excellent organisation and the ability to work calmly in changing environments
• A positive, flexible and hands-on approach
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build relationships quickly
• A professional approach and genuine pride in the food you produce

WHY JOIN HOUSTON & HAWKES?

• £42,000 per annum
• 40 hours per week
• Monday to Friday
• A varied culinary role across some of our most prestigious Central London client sites
• The opportunity to experience different food styles, teams and premium operations
• Birthday off every year
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Free meals on duty
• Contributory pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• CODE Hospitality membership
• Foodie Socials bringing our chefs together to explore new flavours, techniques and ideas
• Ongoing learning, development and genuine career progression
• Summer Awards Party celebrating our people and achievements
• An unforgettable Christmas Party at one of London’s outstanding venues

ABOUT HOUSTON & HAWKES

Houston & Hawkes is an award-winning independent caterer creating vibrant, creative and exceptional food and hospitality experiences across some of the UK’s most prestigious client sites.

We’re a Certified B Corp, recipient of the King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development 2026 and proud to be ranked No. 14 in The Caterer’s Best Places to Work in Hospitality.

If you are a talented chef who enjoys variety, loves both retail and fine dining and wants the opportunity to work with exceptional teams across Central London, we would love to hear from you.

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