Ready to step up as a Sous Chef in a kitchen that actually lets you create, lead, and grow? Farmers Arms in Great Eccleston is hiring a Roaming Sous Chef to power an award-winning food operation. You’ll work shoulder to shoulder with the Head Chef, shape seasonal specials, and deliver memorable plates every service.
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If you want a role where your creativity is respected, your leadership counts, and your pay reflects your craft, this is it. Earn up to £15 per hour plus a share of cash tips, enjoy real staff perks, and build a career across a respected group of premium pubs. Apply now and turn your talent into a long-term win.
Why this role is in demand
Top-quality pubs with serious food programs are growing across the UK. With busier dining rooms, seasonal menus, and higher guest expectations, strong Sous Chefs are essential. A Roaming Sous Chef brings agility to the kitchen, supports service peaks, drives consistency across sections, and contributes to menu innovation. At Farmers Arms, you will be trusted to lead, train, and execute to a high standard every shift.
Job overview
Item
Details
Job Title
Roaming Sous Chef
Employer
Farmers Arms
Location
Great Eccleston, PR3 0YE, United Kingdom
Type
Full-time
Pay
Up to £15 per hour
Tips
Share of cash tips
Shift Pattern
Flexible shifts
Team Culture
Award-winning, supportive, growth-focused
Visa Sponsorship
Not stated by employer. See visa guidance below.
About Farmers Arms
Farmers Arms is a traditional country pub with a modern edge in the heart of Great Eccleston. Think theatre-style kitchen, two-floor dining, a cosy bar, outdoor seating, and a semi-private events space. The menu champions seasonal British produce with daily seafood specials, crafted by a skilled kitchen team that cares about flavour, consistency, and presentation.
The pub is part of a small group of premium venues with a reputation for quality and multiple industry awards, including recognition from Restaurant Magazine and the Publican Awards. You get the best of both worlds here — serious standards and real career progression, without losing the close-knit team feel.
What the job involves
Support the Head Chef to run smooth, efficient services across all sections.
Prepare, cook, and plate dishes to consistent high standards for the main menu and specials.
Contribute creative ideas for weekly and seasonal specials.
Lead, coach, and motivate kitchen team members during prep and service.
Maintain strict food hygiene, safety, and kitchen organisation at all times.
Monitor quality, taste, and presentation to ensure consistency every plate.
Assist with stock rotation, ordering, and inventory control.
Collaborate with the team to refine processes and elevate guest experience.
Salary and benefits
Competitive pay: Up to £15 per hour plus a share of cash tips.
Flexible shifts: Patterns that help you balance life, learning, and leadership.
Staff perks: 25% off food for you and up to six guests, plus discounted hotel stays.
Career growth: Access to training, apprenticeships, and multi-site progression.
Recognition: Service awards, birthday gifts, and referral bonuses up to £1,000.
Supportive culture: A trusted, award-winning team that values your ideas.
Requirements and who fits
Previous experience as a Sous Chef, Junior Sous, or similar leadership role.
Strong track record in high-standard cooking and consistent execution.
Clear communicator with proven teamwork and people-development skills.
Ability to lead sections, train juniors, and steady the pass under pressure.
Meticulous attention to detail in prep, flavour, and presentation.
Solid knowledge of food safety, HACCP, and hygiene standards.
Flexible, calm under pressure, and comfortable in a fast-paced kitchen.
Creative mindset and genuine passion for seasonal British cuisine and seafood.
Visa sponsorship and routes for foreigners
The employer has not stated visa sponsorship in this advert. Some UK hospitality employers do sponsor experienced chefs under the Skilled Worker visa, but it depends on two things: whether the employer holds a Home Office sponsor licence and whether the role meets the Skilled Worker criteria and salary thresholds. A Sous Chef role can fall under eligible chef occupation codes when it is skilled, supervisory, and meets the going rate.
If you need a work visa, here is how to approach it:
Ask early: When you are shortlisted, politely ask if the company has a sponsor licence and can issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
Check the public register: Search the UK Government’s list of licensed sponsors to confirm status before relocation.
Evidence your seniority: Emphasise leadership, training, ordering, menu input, and supervision to align with skilled chef criteria.
If sponsorship is not available, consider alternative routes that some candidates use to get UK kitchen experience:
Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS): For eligible nationalities aged 18–35, non-sponsored work route for up to 2 years.
Graduate visa: For those who studied in the UK recently and can work without sponsorship.
UK Ancestry or partner routes: If you qualify through family or relationship categories.
Would You Like To Apply For This Opportunity?
Important: Policies and salary thresholds can change in 2026 and 2027. Always verify current Skilled Worker rules on the official UK Government website before applying.
How to apply
Update your CV: Highlight Sous or Junior Sous experience, sections you lead, cuisine styles, menu development, and food safety certifications.
Write a targeted cover letter: Show your passion for seasonal British cooking, leadership style, and how you manage quality during busy services.
Prepare a concise portfolio: Add 6–10 photos of plated dishes or specials you created, with short descriptions.
Apply on the official careers channel: Submit your CV and cover letter via the Farmers Arms or group careers page. If an email is provided in the advert, send a clean PDF application and include your availability.
Reference checks: List two recent referees who can confirm your kitchen leadership and consistency.
Interview and trial: Be ready for a practical kitchen assessment where you will run a section, cook to spec, and demonstrate organisation.
Offer and onboarding: Successful candidates receive an offer with start date, rota details, uniform guidance, and onboarding steps.
Tip: If you require visa sponsorship, state this clearly and ask about the employer’s licence status once shortlisted.
FAQ
Is this role open to international candidates?
Yes. Foreign candidates are welcome to apply. However, visa sponsorship is not stated in the advert. If you need a work visa, confirm whether the employer can sponsor a Skilled Worker visa and issue a CoS.
What is the pay for this Roaming Sous Chef role?
The advertised pay is up to £15 per hour plus a share of cash tips. Actual rates may vary by experience and shift patterns.
What does “roaming” mean in this context?
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Roaming typically means you will work across sections and services as needed, support menu specials, and step in where the kitchen requires extra leadership. It may also include occasional support across sites within the group if agreed.
Are there staff discounts or perks?
Yes. You get 25% off food for you and up to six guests, discounted hotel stays, recognition awards, birthday gifts, and referral bonuses up to £1,000.
What does the interview process involve?
Shortlisted candidates are invited to an interview that usually includes a practical kitchen assessment. Expect to run a section, cook to spec, and demonstrate hygiene, organisation, and communication under pressure.
About you — the ideal fit
You are an experienced Sous or strong Junior Sous who leads by example, keeps standards high, and thrives during busy services. You communicate clearly, train juniors with patience, and enjoy shaping specials around seasonal produce. If you want a place that values craft, teamwork, and growth, you will fit right in.
Final step
You are one strong application away from a kitchen that backs your talent. Get your CV and cover letter ready, showcase your best plates, and apply now for the Roaming Sous Chef role at Farmers Arms. Your next level starts here.
