Sous Chef

Sous Chef – Hickory’s Smokehouse Chester

Salary up to £33,000 per year plus over £5,000 per year tip jar

Start the next chapter of your career at Hickory’s Smokehouse, proudly crowned Best Pub Employer 2025 at The Publican Awards. As the fastest-growing Southern-style Smokehouse group in the UK, we’re all about traditional American BBQ, strong teams and real progression.

We’re looking for a Sous Chef to join our high-energy kitchen team. You’ll support the Head Chef and Senior Sous, assist in leading the kitchen team and play a key role in delivering our fresh, authentic BBQ menu in one of the busiest restaurants in town — all while building the skills and experience to progress your career with us.

What you’ll be doing:

• Assisting in leading, motivating and developing a passionate kitchen team
• Supporting the day-to-day running of the kitchen and covering shifts when needed
• Maintaining excellent food quality, consistency and safety standards
• Delivering brand-led BBQ in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
• Showing ambition, drive and a desire to progress your career within Hickory’s

Why Hickory’s?

• Competitive salary and great tips
• £250k bespoke-built kitchen with USA-imported smokers
• Award-winning training & clear progression opportunities
• Free team food on shift & a birthday meal on us – Huge BBQ menu with endless possibilities
• Christmas Day off
• Paid time off for life’s big moments (weddings, first day at school, moving into your first home & more)
• 25% team discount across Hickory’s (rising to 50% with loyal service)
• 24/7 wellbeing support & a culture that truly values work–life balance
• Road trips to the Southern States, Europe & UK and stacks of enrichment opportunities
• A chance to ‘give a bit back’ with fundraising activities for Cash For Kids
• Up to £500 for you – through the refer a friend scheme

About You:

• Experience as a Senior Chef in a high-volume kitchen
• Passion for food and pride in what you cook
• Positive attitude and strong team ethic
• Looking for stability, progression and a great work–life balance

If this sounds like your kind of kitchen, click Apply now and get fired up with Hickory’s Smokehouse.

INDPCHEF