What does a sous chef do?

“Sous chef” literally means “under-chief”. But enough with the language lesson. Let's get to the juicy stuff. 

Being a Sous Chef is all about keeping the kitchen humming and the food steadily flowing. It's a role that's as vital as a well-sharpened knife in a chef's toolkit. Picture them as the Head Chef's right-hand person, helping out with everything from leading and training the team to keeping the kitchen supplies stocked up.

Let's roll up our sleeves and tuck into what it takes to be a Sous Chef.

An overview of the role

You might have decoded the job title, but you’re probably still wondering, ‘What is a Sous Chef?’, or ‘What can I expect from the role?’ So we’ve got a breakdown of the main responsibilities.

Executing dishes to perfection

Only perfection leaves the kitchen - after all, your guests deserve nothing less than a delicious feast! You’ve got a keen eye for detail and top-notch standards. It’s your mission to make sure that every dish leaves guests wanting to come back for more.

Supporting the team

As a senior member of the kitchen team, you’re also keeping an eye out for your chefs. When the heat is on and orders are flying in, you're right there in the thick of it, lending a hand to your teammates.

Leadership

Which leads us to your management skills. Your Head Chef counts on you to step in and help train the Chefs and Sous Chefs of tomorrow. This might look like guiding an apprentice in the art of veggie prep. Or, and here’s a little more French coming your way, it’s teaching a Kitchen Assistant the importance of “Mise en Place”. In other words, having your workspace set up before the shift begins.

Stock control

Your knack for managing kitchen supply levels will earn you the nickname "Stockmaster.” With your outstanding organisation skills and knowledge of your menu, you make sure the kitchen team is always equipped for success.

FAQs

Is a sous chef a manager?

Yes! As a kitchen team leader, you'll take charge of the kitchen when the Head Chef isn’t on shift, leading your team to deliver culinary greatness. It's the perfect springboard for anyone wanting to become a Head Chef.

How many Sous Chefs work in the kitchen at one time?

It depends on the size of the kitchen. But it’s not uncommon to find one or two Sous Chefs working alongside the Head Chef.

What does it take to be a Sous Chef?

It goes without saying that you need a passion for cooking. Beyond this, you need to be a first-class team player, have the ability to bring order to the kitchen and have a keen eye for detail.

How can you be a good Sous Chef?

Sharpen your culinary expertise and leadership skills. These are only some of the top skills you need to be a good sous chef. To really stand out, show your team that you’re the ultimate champion of brand standards as well as stock and labour management

How long does it take to become a Sous Chef?

There’s no strict limit. You don’t need to be a food expert to kick off a kitchen career. With the right drive and determination, you could go from Kitchen Assistant to Sous Chef in just two to three years. It's all about finding a company that will support you and working to achieve the goals set by your Kitchen Manager.

Why should you choose a Sous Chef job at Mitchells & Butlers? 

Well, this is an easy one for us to answer. Our Sous Chefs get to join the best kitchen teams. What makes them brilliant? They've got each other's backs, jumping in to lend a hand whenever it's needed. With diverse talents and personalities, they bring flavour and flair to the kitchen, all while having a good laugh along the way.

If you think an M&B kitchen might be for you, why not take a look at our open Sous Chef jobs? We've got options for everyone, from junior sous chef positions to part-time roles that fit your schedule.

And if you're craving something a bit different, head to our kitchen jobs page and see all the culinary roles that we have on offer.