DAKOTA NEWCASTLE – SOUS CHEF Dakota Hotels are bringing our renowned style and service to Newcastle city centre in early 2025 and are seeking an experience d Sous Chef to help bring the flavour of Dakota to the city. Aiming to give you a dining experience like no other, s implicity and brilliance is what we do best. We work with the f inest quality seasonal produce, and ensure this is beautifully presented with the perfect balance of flavours This opportunity offers for you to be part of the next best dining experience in Newcastle. The Sous Chef we seek will play a pivotal role in leading our kitchen team to deliver a memorable dining experience for our guests. Working closely with the Head Chef, you will have the opportunity to shape a unique menu that combines local and seasonal ingredients with creativity and excellence, all while maintaining Dakota’s standards. Ideally situated by the Gateshead Millennium Bridge on the quayside, our hotel will boast 118 bedrooms including stunning 33 suites. Dakota Newcastle will host our renowned Bar & Grill, Champagne Room, Cigar Terrace, and an events space for up to 60. PRIMARY ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES Supporting the Head the running of the Kitchen including leading a smooth and busy service. Carry out managerial responsibilities including holding interviews and trial shifts, holding appraisals, and performance management. Working with the Head Chef in the pre-opening stages of the kitchen to ensure a smooth and effective opening for the team and guests alike. Support in driving the commercial performance of the kitchen by writing rotas and managing holidays, whelping to write costed menus in line with the desired GP, carrying out stock take, and places orders. Prepare and cook dishes according to the specification as set out by the Head Chef. This pertains to all menus including a la carte, room service, breakfast, bar food, bar snacks, events, and guest amenities. Be committed to working wholeheartedly as part of the team, effectively and positively communicating with all members of the kitchen and front of house team. Have a passion and display a willingness to train junior Chefs and apprentices in an open working environment of ongoing improvement. Strictly adhere to Health & Safety and Food Hygiene legislation following best practice at all times and leading the team to do so consistently. Where assigned, write HACCP’s and oversee the completion of due diligence documentation to maintain our high food audit scores. Display a willingness to continuously learn and improve your skills as a professional Chef. ABOUT DAKOTA HOTELS Dakota is a growing UK-based lifestyle brand, known for our stylish hotels, bustling brasserie Grills and upscale cocktail Bars. Dakota’s story started with two boutique hotels on the outskirts of Edinburgh, in South Queensferry, and Glasgow, in Eurocentral. We have now expanded into prime city centre locations in Glasgow, Leeds, and Manchester, with Newcastle opening early 2025 and more in our pipeline. Dakota is synonymous for delivering attentive and genuine guest service. We attract hard-working individuals who are passionate about working to the highest standards and have been voted within The Caterer’s Top 15 Best Employers in Hospitality for the last five years in a row. We were also featured within the Top 10 employers in the 2024 Sunday Times Best Places to Work in the UK, as well as being awarded the Spotlight Award for Best Places to Work for LGBTQIA employees. As recent winners of The Cateys ‘People Team of the Year ’, we have award-winning internal training programmes within Dakota Academy fostering continuous development and ongoing training. As a result, over 75% of our leaders have been promoted internally and, for four consecutive years, a member of our team has won a prestigious Acorn Award awarded by The Caterer to the ‘Top 30 under 30’ in the industry, demonstrating our success in developing talent. APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS Successful candidates must demonstrate having researched our brand and a genuine desire to be part of our team. The successful applicant will have/be: A minimum of 5 years professional cooking experience in restaurant of a high calibre. A minimum of 3 years experience as a Junior Sous or above. Demonstrate effective leadership and communication skills which are in line with our positive and inclusive working environment. Trained and knowledgeable in food hygiene to level 2 or above, HACCP and allergens, although full training will be provided. Demonstrate a passion for quality food and preparation. Be hardworking and a team-player. PACKAGE This is a permanent, full-time role which carries an annual gross salary of £40,000, £1k performance based bonus and Tronc payments. In addition to being part of a culture infused with positivity and opportunity for ongoing development, tangible benefits you could enjoy when you join our team include: –40 per cent off stays at any Dakota –25 per cent off drinks and dining at any Dakota –Access to our Employee Assistance Program which includes free private mental health support and counselling sessions video GP consultations and private prescription services access to daily rewards to be cashed out for shopping vouchers -Access to discounted gift card platform –Support from our inhouse Mental Health Champions –Additional holiday day on the first anniversary of your employment. –Family-friendly flexible working options –Meals on duty and uniforming –£200 bonus to recommend a friend to join our team –£10 bonus every time you are mentioned on Trip Advisor –Free bi-annual eye testing for users of display screen equipment –Accredited, certified compliance training given on employment such as in Food Hygiene, Alcohol Responsibility, Data Protection, and Health & Safety –Access to a suite of external, certified resources via our Learning Management System –Supportive continuous professional development culture with an annual appraisal and objectives, or a Personal Development Plan –Opportunities to undertake both internal and external training courses, including potential for in-house Apprenticeships Full terms on our benefits can be found in our Handbook.