Executive Sous Chef

Who are we?

Estelle Manor is a rural retreat set on an 85-acre estate in Oxfordshire. The manor has four restaurants, an extraordinary 3,000 sq metre Roman-inspired spa- Eynsham Baths, 108 bedrooms and a gym with class studios and padel courts. Plus, there's a kids' club for the little ones and a workspace. As the countryside companion to Maison Estelle, the manor is also a 'hosted home', bringing people together that have plenty to say and nothing to prove.

We are currently looking for a passionate and experienced
Executive Sous Chef
to support our Executive Chef in leading the culinary direction across Estelle Manor, with a focus on our Fallow House event space, private dining, in-room dining and main kitchen.

Here's a bit more detail on what we see you doing in this role:

• Providing inspirational leadership and clear direction to our culinary teams across all restaurants and food outlets, with a focus on our event, private dining in-room dining and main kitchen.
• Taking full responsibility for events and activations, helping to deliver exceptional food experiences that delight our members and guests.
• Supporting the Executive Chef in managing daily operations and stepping in as second-in-command when required.
• Driving culinary creativity while upholding our food vision, working closely with the wider leadership team to develop seasonal, innovative menus.
• Managing food safety, compliance, and kitchen hygiene in line with UK legislation and internal standards.
• Ensuring all team members are fully briefed on provenance, allergens, and dietary considerations.
• Managing budgets, food and labour costs, procurement and inventory to ensure profitability.
• Mentoring and developing the kitchen team, coordinating training plans and fostering cross-functional working.
• Creating a positive, motivating and supportive kitchen culture where team members can thrive.
• Championing our values and helping to create a hosted, home-away-from-home feel in everything you do.

Who we are looking for:

A talented
Executive Sous Chef
who brings energy, leadership, and creativity to the kitchen. You'll be passionate about delivering food excellence at every level and committed to building a high-performing, happy team.

• Proven experience at senior level within high-end kitchens or luxury hospitality environments.
• A genuine passion for food, flavour, and hospitality.
• Strong organisational, financial and operational skills.
• Ability to lead and inspire a team under pressure with calm, clear communication.
• Hands-on, collaborative approach to working across departments.
• A problem-solver and decision-maker with a keen eye for detail.
• Enthusiastic, charismatic and dedicated to creating an exceptional member and guest experience.

What's in it for you?

At
Estelle
, we prioritize your well-being and growth, offering a range of perks to enrich your experience. Enjoy exclusive staff rates, biannual socials, and Birthday Wheel surprises. Nurture your well-being with stocked colleague spaces and daily Smart Fridges. Engage in forums shaping The Estelle Way and utilise the provided uniforms and onsite seamstress support. Join us for a fulfilling journey where you are
valued
,
supported
, and
celebrated
.

Here at
Estelle
, we want to create a unified culture and sense of belonging across both Estelle Manor and Maison Estelle. We have a range of perks and benefits at your fingertips:

• Biannual company socials plus smaller social and sports groups.
• Exclusive staff rates and F&B discounts across sister properties.
• Estelleversary and Birthday Wheel gifting for all employees (including overnight stays and dinners).
• Colleague spaces stocked with food, drinks, and locally sourced coffee.
• Seasonal, daily stocked Smart Fridges with freshly prepared meals while on shift.
• Added protection of both our pension and life assurance schemes.
• 30 days holiday, inclusive of bank holidays, which increases with length of service.
• Colleague Forums and Sustainability Committees to help create The Estelle Way.
• Recommend-a-friend bonus scheme.
• Uniform provided, cleaned, and pressed.
• Free single cover Private health care.
• Onsite seamstresses to ensure your uniform is fitted and repaired.

About gratuities & service charge:

• Gratuities (tips) are paid on a pro-rata basis regardless of your role.