We’re not entirely sure whether the original meaning of Sous Chef is a little too saucy for the kitchen or just downright dangerous!
The term translates in French as “under the chef”.
Thankfully, in Scotland’s modern day kitchens Sous refers only to the staff hierarchy: the Sous Chef has a position as deputy below the Head Chef but above all other staff members.
It’s no surprise then that this is a target job for everyone from the kitchen assistant to junior chef.
The good news is, to become a Sous Chef, you don’t need top academic qualifications or formal training.
Most important for your CV will be a true passion for cooking and some experience of working in a catering environment.
Of course, if you can also bring to the party a relevant degree or course certificate to show off your culinary knowledge this will be a bonus.
This role also best suits candidates who are not afraid of hard work and often unsociable hours – sometimes shift work is necessary to cover everything from up-at-dawn breakfasts to last-thing-at-night dinners.
As you can see from the variety of vacancies on s1jobs, a Sous Chef can find themselves working in well known and high-end restaurants, as well as in the cafes and canteens of institutions, such as schools and even cruise liners.
Of a morning you could be creating the menu and sourcing fresh ingredients from suppliers, then in the afternoon prepping for that day, then creating the dishes themselves.
Hygiene and safety standards are a big part of the job, too, so you’ll need to be methodical and have an eye for details.
There is very rarely a quiet moment in a busy kitchen – the fast pace and buzz are all part of the enjoyment, after all.
This means not only learning new skills on the job, but also passing on your own experience and knowledge to junior members of the kitchen – while never taking your eyes off the task in hand – such as that huge pot of custard that’s about to boil over.
Career progression inevitably follows a path to becoming head chef but for those with drive and a good business head there are also opportunities to move into restaurant or hotel management.
If you can work wisely with produce, offer innovative cuisine, and come up with ways to enhance the customer experience while also growing profits, one day you may even run your own Michelin-starred eatery.
Find all the best Sous Chef vacancies at s1jobs