Sous Chef - The Olive Tree - Sutton Green

About us
At The Olive Tree, we’re a proper country pub, independently run, food-led, and proud of it.
Everything we do is about quality without pretension:

• Fresh, seasonal food (no shortcuts)
• A busy, loyal local following
• A strong team culture where everyone mucks in

We’re not a chain. We’re not corporate. And we don’t do shouty kitchens.
The role
We’re looking for a Sous Chef to support our Head Chef Alex, an exceptionally talented, calm, and creative chef who leads from the front.
This is a genuine second-in-command role, not just a title.
You’ll:

• Run the kitchen in the Head Chef’s absence
• Help deliver consistently high quality fresh food
• Support, guide and steady the team during busy services
• Keep standards high without ego or drama
• Be part of menu input and daily specials

What we’re looking for
You don’t need to be perfect, but you do need to be solid.

• Strong fresh food background
• Calm under pressure (this matters more than speed)
• Team player, not a big ego
• Reliable and consistent
• Someone who takes pride in doing things properly
• If you’re the type who rolls your eyes at frozen food and shortcuts, you’ll fit right in.

What you’ll get

• £32,000 – £36,000 salary (depending on experience)
• Tips on top (£3k–£5k typical)
• A supportive Head Chef and hands on owners (not in the kitchen!)
• A well run kitchen (not chaos every service)
• Real input into how things are done
• A proper team environment where people back each other

The reality
This is a busy pub. You will work hard.
But:

• You’ll be respected
• You’ll be supported
• And you’ll go home knowing you’ve cooked food you’re proud of

Why join us?
Because good kitchens are hard to find.
At The Olive Tree, we’ve built something we care about and we’re looking for someone who feels the same.
Apply now
Send us your CV and a few lines about yourself, we’re more interested in the person than the paper.