Role: Sous Chef- The Barn Kitchen

Reports to: Head Chef
Hours: Full time | Daytime-led | Weekend working required

We are looking for a talented and passionate Sous Chef to join our team at The Barn Kitchen at Peterley Manor Farm.

This is a brilliant opportunity for a chef who genuinely cares about seasonality, provenance and cooking with exceptional ingredients. Our kitchen sits at the heart of the farm, with much of our produce grown just a few steps away in our Kitchen Garden.

You’ll also work closely with the artisans across the farm, including our onsite butcher, deli and cheesemonger, making the most of fantastic meat, cheese, produce and ingredients from both the farm and our carefully selected local suppliers.

The Barn Kitchen is busy and fast-paced, serving breakfast and lunch seven days a week, but with refreshingly sociable hospitality hours – no regular evening service apart from Friday nights.

The Role

Working closely with our Head Chef, you will:

• Help lead busy breakfast and lunch services, maintaining consistently high standards.
• Support, motivate and develop the kitchen team and take responsibility for the kitchen in the Head Chef’s absence.
• Contribute to seasonal menu development, making the most of produce from our Kitchen Garden and the wider farm.
• Work closely with our butcher, deli, cheesemonger and growing team to make the best use of ingredients across the business.
• Assist with ordering, stock control, food costings, wastage and kitchen organisation.
• Maintain excellent food safety, hygiene and operational standards.
• Get involved with our outdoor kitchen and live-fire cooking during the summer months, alongside smoking, fermenting, preserving and other seasonal projects.
• Help continually develop the food offering and bring new ideas and enthusiasm to the kitchen.

About You

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has solid experience in a high-quality, busy kitchen.
• Has a genuine passion for seasonal, ingredient-led cooking.
• Takes pride in working with excellent produce and understands the importance of provenance.
• Is confident leading a team and running service in the Head Chef’s absence.
• Is organised, calm under pressure and has strong attention to detail.
• Understands food costings, stock control and wastage.
• Is happy to work weekends as part of their normal working week.
• Enjoys being creative and contributing ideas rather than simply following a set menu.

Pastry experience would be a real bonus, as would an interest in live-fire cooking, smoking, fermenting and preserving.

Package & Team Benefits

Competitive salary + tronc

Alongside much more sociable hours than many chef roles, our team benefits include:

• 28 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays
• NEST Pension Scheme
• 15% discount in the Farm Shop, plants and Christmas trees
• 50% discount in the Barn Kitchen for yourself and up to three guests (excluding alcohol)
• Trade price + VAT on case alcohol orders through the Farm Shop
• Additional team discounts on events throughout the year
• Discounted gym membership and yoga classes
• Two epic staff parties each year

If you’re a chef who gets excited about walking into the Kitchen Garden to see what’s ready to harvest, working with fantastic local ingredients and helping shape genuinely seasonal menus, we’d love to hear from you.

To apply please send CV and covering letter to Carly carly@peterleymanorfarm.co.uk