Career Advice for a Sous Chef

Working as a Sous Chef, you will work in a commercial kitchen, creating seasonal dishes and acting as the second in command to the Head Chef.

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How to Become a Sous Chef

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become a Sous Chef

Should you wish to work as a Sous Chef you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for a Sous Chef

  • Four GCSEs.
  • Two A Levels.
  • Level 3 Diploma in Professional Cookery.
  • Level 4 Diploma in Professional Culinary Arts.
  • T Level in Catering.
  • A University Degree in Culinary Arts or Professional Cookery.

Key Responsibilities for a Sous Chef

  • Developing menu ideas based on customer demand and seasonal ingredients.
  • Planning and preparing meals.
  • Ensuring the smooth running of the kitchen.
  • Recruiting and training junior chefs and kitchen staff.
  • Creating work schedules to ensure the kitchen is adequately staffed.
  • Monitoring and managing the kitchen’s inventory.
  • Ensuring health and safety standards are maintained.

What to expect as a Sous Chef

Working as a Sous Chef, you will need to wear a uniform and work in an environment that can be hot and physically demanding. You might work in a restaurant, school, hospital or on a cruise ship.

Recommended Sous Chef Jobs

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How to get Sous Chef Jobs

Our advice on how to get a Sous Chef job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Sous Chef application. If you have not held a Sous Chef position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Sous Chef role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Sous Chef CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Sous Chef application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become a Sous Chef in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become a Sous Chef 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Sous Chef and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Sous Chef experience.

How to get Sous Chef Experience

What does it take to be a Sous Chef? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Sous Chef jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Sous Chef through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be a Sous Chef Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Sous Chef part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Sous Chef or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Sous Chef freelance work

If you have impressive Sous Chef qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.