Skilled sous chef jobs in the UK pay £20–25 per hour in 2026, with Blue Arrow hiring for kitchens across the country — this guide covers sous chef roles, qualifications, salaries and how to apply.
Chefs can also consider the UK seasonal worker visa guide for 2026 for short-term roles.
Blue Arrow wants eager and experienced sous chefs to join our team all over the UK. This is a great chance to work in a busy kitchen and add to culinary excellence if you have a strong background in cooking, good leadership skills, and a strong desire to make delicious food.
The hourly rate is competitive, ranging from £20.00-25.00, and there are also performance-based bonuses. This job gives both financial reward and chances to grow professionally.
Details of Sous Chef Job in UK:
Plan a visit with the UK visitor visa guide for 2026.
- Job Title: Skilled Sous Chef Jobs in UK
- Company: Blue Arrow
- Employment Type: Full-time / Part-time
- Location: Various locations across the UK
- Education Required: High School Diploma / Bachelor’s Degree / Culinary Diploma
- Experience Required: 1–2 years in a related culinary field
Types of Sous Chef Jobs in UK (2026)
Junior Sous Chef:
- National Average Salary: £11–£15 per hour
- Primary Duties: Assist the Head Chef with daily food preparation and supervise junior kitchen staff while maintaining high food quality standards.
- Experience Required: 1–2 years in a professional kitchen environment.
Executive Sous Chef:
- National Average Salary: £16–£22 per hour
- Primary Duties: Lead kitchen operations, develop menus, manage staff, and ensure consistent culinary excellence across all dishes.
- Experience Required: 3–5 years in senior kitchen roles.
Head Sous Chef:
- National Average Salary: £15–£20 per hour
- Primary Duties: Oversee kitchen teams, plan menus, manage inventory, and maintain compliance with food safety regulations.
- Experience Required: 2–4 years in a supervisory culinary position.
Chef:
- National Average Salary: £12–£18 per hour
- Primary Duties: Support the Head Chef in menu execution, supervise kitchen staff, and ensure food quality and hygiene standards are met.
- Experience Required: 1–3 years in professional kitchens.
Hotel Sous Chef Positions:
- National Average Salary: £13–£19 per hour
- Primary Duties: Manage hotel kitchen operations, coordinate with culinary teams, and ensure guests receive high-quality meals.
- Experience Required: 2–4 years in hotel or large-scale kitchen settings.
Restaurant Sous Chef:
- National Average Salary: £12–£18 per hour
- Primary Duties: Assist in menu planning, supervise restaurant kitchen staff, and maintain excellent food presentation and taste.
- Experience Required: 1–3 years in restaurant kitchens or similar environments.
Key Responsibilities:
As a Sous Chef at Blue Arrow, these are your duties:
- Helping the Head Chef make plans and prepare food every day
- overseeing the chefs, cooks, and kitchen helpers who work in the kitchen
- Making sure that the taste, quality, and appearance of food meet high standards
- In the absence of the Head Chef, running the kitchen
- Working together with the kitchen staff to keep the kitchen running smoothly
- Keeping track of food prices, ordering supplies, and managing inventory
- Following the rules for food safety and cleanliness
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Education and Qualifications:
If you want to be a great sous chef, you should:
- Proven work experience as a sous chef or senior chef
- Formal study and qualifications in cooking
- Strong cooking skills and imagination
- Leadership and managing a team skills
- Knowing the rules and best methods for food safety
- Excellent at talking to people and fixing problems
Benefits of Sous Chef Jobs in UK:
- Competitive Salary and Bonuses: Enjoy a highly competitive hourly wage ranging from £10.00 to £20.00, with additional performance-based bonuses rewarding your dedication and culinary expertise.
- Career Growth Opportunities: Gain access to structured career development paths within the culinary industry, allowing you to progress from Sous Chef to Head Chef or other senior leadership roles.
- Diverse Culinary Experiences: Work in dynamic kitchen environments, exploring a variety of cuisines and cooking techniques that enhance your skills and broaden your professional portfolio.
- Supportive and Collaborative Work Environment: Join a kitchen team that values teamwork, mentorship, and a positive work culture, ensuring a harmonious and motivating workplace.
- Recognition and Professional Development: Receive acknowledgement for your contributions through training, workshops, and opportunities to lead projects, improving both your skills and reputation in the culinary field.
- Contribution to Culinary Excellence: Play a key role in creating exceptional dishes, delivering outstanding dining experiences, and building a reputation for quality that elevates both the restaurant and your professional profile.
Salary:
- Hourly Rate: £20.00-25.00 per hour
- Additional Bonuses: Performance-based
Application process:
To apply for a Sous Chef position with Blue Arrow in the UK, follow these steps:
- Get your CV or resume ready: Show off your cooking skills, qualifications, and ability to lead others.
- Get to the Application Portal: Go to the Blue Arrow online job board.
- Fill out the application form online: Correctly fill in all the necessary information.
- Upload your CV or resume. Make sure it’s up-to-date and shows off your skills and experience clearly.
- Send in your application: Read everything carefully, then send in your application so that it can be looked at.
- Follow-up: People may email or call you for talks or more testing.
Conclusion:
As a Sous Chef at Blue Arrow, you’ll be able to show off your cooking skills, manage a hardworking kitchen staff, and make sure that guests have a great time. People really respect your knowledge and leadership. Start your application right away to become an important part of our UK kitchen team.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What qualifications are needed for Sous Chef jobs?
Candidates should have formal culinary training, proven experience in a senior kitchen role, strong leadership skills, knowledge of food safety regulations, and creativity to contribute to high-quality menu preparation and team management.
What is the typical salary for UK Sous Chefs?
Sous Chefs in the UK typically earn between £10 and £20 per hour, with additional performance-based bonuses, depending on experience, location, and the specific culinary establishment they join.
How can I apply for Sous Chef positions?
Prepare a professional CV highlighting your culinary experience and qualifications, then submit it through the employer’s online application portal or recruitment website to be considered for Sous Chef opportunities in the UK.
Kitchen roles feature on the UK temporary shortage list for 2026.
What is the salary for sous chef jobs in the UK?
The advertised roles pay £20–25 per hour with performance-based bonuses, while junior sous chefs typically earn £11–15 per hour nationally.
What qualifications do sous chefs need?
Formal culinary training, proven experience in a senior kitchen role, leadership skills, food safety knowledge and creativity in menu preparation are expected.
What are the main duties of a sous chef?
Assisting the head chef with daily food preparation, supervising kitchen staff, managing inventory, ensuring food quality and running the kitchen in the head chef’s absence.
How do I apply for sous chef jobs with Blue Arrow?
Prepare a professional CV highlighting culinary experience, then submit it through the employer’s online job board or recruitment portal and follow up after applying.
Students can work in the UK on a student visa within permitted hours.
For growth-stage employers, see the UK Scale-Up work visa guide.
