Sous Chef
Edinburgh EH1 – 2 AA Rosette Kitchen
An exceptional culinary leadership opportunity at one of Edinburgh's most celebrated fine-dining establishments. Place yourself at the heart of something special.
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Staff Direct – Sous Chef – Edinburgh EH1 – 2 AA Rosette Kitchen
Staff Direct is proud to exclusively represent one of Edinburgh's most distinguished dining institutions in their search for a talented and ambitious Sous Chef. Situated in the heart of Edinburgh's historic Old Town at EH1, this celebrated establishment holds the prestigious 2 AA Rosette accreditation — a mark of culinary excellence recognised across the entire United Kingdom by the Automobile Association's Rosette Award scheme.
This is a genuine career-defining position. You will work shoulder-to-shoulder with a creative and technically rigorous Head Chef, leading a brigade that takes uncompromising pride in every plate that leaves the pass. If you are a driven culinary professional ready to step up and make your mark in Scotland's gastronomic capital, Staff Direct's hospitality recruitment team wants to hear from you today.
About the Role
As Sous Chef, you will be the Head Chef's right hand — managing daily kitchen operations, mentoring junior brigade members, and maintaining the meticulous quality standards that have earned this kitchen its coveted rosettes. The menu is seasonally driven, sourcing the finest Scottish produce from trusted local suppliers, a philosophy championed by many of Scotland's leading chefs and championed by organisations such as VisitScotland's Food & Drink initiative.
You will take ownership of service delivery, assist in menu development, and represent the brigade when the Head Chef is off-duty. This is a hands-on leadership role that demands both culinary mastery and confident team management.
Edinburgh's hospitality sector is growing at pace, with the city consistently ranked among Europe's top dining destinations. Joining a 2 AA Rosette kitchen here is a career investment with long-term rewards — both financially and creatively.
— Staff Direct Hospitality Division
Key Responsibilities
- Support the Head Chef in all daily kitchen operations and service management
- Manage, train, and inspire junior chefs and kitchen porters throughout each shift
- Maintain and enforce rigorous AA Rosette quality standards across every dish and service
- Assist in crafting seasonal menus using locally sourced Scottish ingredients
- Oversee stock control, ordering, and supplier liaison to ensure consistent supply quality
- Ensure full compliance with UK food hygiene legislation and HACCP food safety protocols
- Lead service in the Head Chef's absence, taking full responsibility for pass and brigade
- Contribute innovative ideas during menu development sessions and tasting events
- Monitor kitchen costs and assist in managing GP margins to agreed targets
Candidate Requirements
- Minimum 2 years' experience in a Sous Chef or senior Chef de Partie role within a rosette-level or fine-dining establishment
- Proven ability to lead and motivate a kitchen brigade under high-pressure service conditions
- Strong technical cooking skills with a solid foundation in classical and modern techniques
- Comprehensive understanding of food safety law, allergen management, and HACCP procedures
- Passion for seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and sustainability in the kitchen
- Excellent communication skills with a positive, professional attitude towards team development
- Flexibility to work evening, weekend, and bank holiday shifts as part of a rota
- Relevant culinary qualification (NVQ Level 2/3, City & Guilds, or equivalent) desirable
Salary & Benefits Package
This role offers a compelling and competitive package reflecting the standard of the kitchen and the calibre of candidate required:
Why Edinburgh for Culinary Careers?
Edinburgh is firmly established as one of the United Kingdom's premier dining destinations. The city's food scene blends centuries of Scottish culinary tradition with bold contemporary innovation — home to multiple Michelin-starred venues, celebrated restaurants, and a thriving independent hospitality sector. According to data from People Make Scotland, the hospitality industry employs over 200,000 people across Scotland, with Edinburgh's city-centre dining scene among the most competitive and rewarding environments for culinary professionals.
Whether you are relocating to Scotland or already based in the capital, Edinburgh's EH1 postcode places you at the epicentre of the city's culinary culture — within walking distance of world-class suppliers, food markets, and a dining public with genuinely sophisticated tastes.
Why Apply Through Staff Direct?
Staff Direct is a leading UK recruitment agency with a dedicated hospitality and catering staffing division. Our specialist consultants work exclusively with top-tier establishments across the UK to source culinary talent that makes a lasting difference. When you apply through Staff Direct, you benefit from:
- Dedicated consultant support throughout your application and offer process
- Confidential career advice and salary negotiation guidance
- Access to exclusive roles not advertised on general job boards
- Ongoing career support and future opportunities across our brand network
You can also explore our full range of catering and hospitality jobs if this particular role is not the right fit at this stage of your career.
Ready to Elevate Your Culinary Career?
This Sous Chef position represents a rare opportunity to join a 2 AA Rosette kitchen in the heart of Edinburgh EH1, earning a competitive salary of £32,000 plus tips within a brigade that values both craft and ambition. The role is suited to a driven culinary professional who is ready to take genuine creative ownership in a kitchen where excellence is the only standard.
Don't let this opportunity pass. Staff Direct is actively shortlisting for this role now and first-stage interviews are being arranged immediately. Submit your CV today and let our specialist hospitality recruitment team guide you through the process with complete discretion and professionalism.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
While a formal culinary qualification such as an NVQ Level 2 or 3, City & Guilds, or equivalent is advantageous, it is not strictly mandatory. What matters most to our client is demonstrable hands-on experience at a senior chef level — ideally within a rosette-awarded, fine-dining, or high-quality à la carte environment. Strong HACCP knowledge and team leadership experience are essential. If you are unsure whether your background is a fit, contact our team at Staff Direct's hospitality division and we will advise you honestly.
The £32,000 base salary has been set by the client to reflect the seniority and skill level required for this 2 AA Rosette kitchen. Tips and service gratuities are distributed fairly across front and back of house teams according to the establishment's internal tronc arrangement. While the base salary is competitive and at market rate for Edinburgh Sous Chef positions, exceptional candidates with a particularly strong track record may be able to negotiate. All salary discussions are handled confidentially through your Staff Direct consultant.
A 2 AA Rosette award recognises restaurants that demonstrate impressive cooking with a high degree of skill and consistency — representing the top tier of approximately 10% of all restaurants assessed. In practical terms, this means elevated quality standards on the pass, more complex and refined menu development, regular assessments, and an uncompromising approach to sourcing and presentation. Working in a 2 Rosette environment is widely recognised within the industry as a significant mark of prestige on any chef's CV. You can learn more about the full criteria on the AA Rosette official website.
Our client is actively recruiting and is seeking to fill this position promptly. If you are currently serving a notice period, this will be discussed at offer stage; however, immediate start candidates are at a strong advantage. Staff Direct will support you through every step — from initial application and interview scheduling to pre-employment checks — ensuring the process moves as quickly as possible. In many cases, successful candidates are placed within 2–4 weeks of first contact.
Absolutely. Staff Direct's Catering & Events division regularly places culinary professionals across the full range of hospitality roles — from Chef de Partie and Head Chef positions to front-of-house and banqueting team roles. We recruit across London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and the wider UK. Visit our jobs board or speak to one of our dedicated hospitality consultants to explore every opportunity currently available to you. We also offer guidance through our candidate approach page for those new to working with a specialist recruitment agency.