Senior Sous Chef - London, United Kingdom
Hawksmoor
The Breakroom Take
- Great team mates
- People enjoy this job
- Good employer
- Paid breaks
- Respectful managers
- Proper training
- Learn new skills
- Proper breaks
About Hawksmoor
Hawksmoor is a British steakhouse and cocktail bar chain.
Job description from Hawksmoor
Location: London, UK
Senior Sous Chef
We’re very excited to commence the search for a Senior Sous to support and lead one of our high volume London restaurants, combining a love for quality food with outstanding people and a passion for world class hospitality.
We are looking for an inspiring leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, managing a talented kitchen team to ensure consistency, quality, and creativity in every dish. You care deeply about developing your team, fostering a culture of excellence, and upholding Hawksmoor’s renowned standards of hospitality.
Work somewhere awesome
Shortly after being named the best steak restaurant in the world, we became a certified B Corp in 2022 and ranked as one of the top 100 Best Companies to Work For over 10 years. As one of the most sustainable restaurant groups in the country, we’ve raised over £1 million for Action Against Hunger and supported several charities closer to home, including a £10,000 donation to Feeding Liverpool.
Snapshot of duties:
- Support Head Chef in all aspects of kitchen operations, from menu consistency to food safety
- Build and lead a high-performing team, championing training and development
- Maintain exceptional standards of food quality, aligned with Hawksmoor’s reputation
- Drive a positive, collaborative, and guest-focused kitchen culture
Benefits Include:
- Refer a friend bonus from day 1
- Paid overtime (not that we encourage it but it happens from time to time)
- Use of Wagestream to instantly access the wages you’ve earned
- Discounted health and fitness benefits
- Additional paid maternity and paternity leave to help you care for new additions to your family
- Income protection insurance for critical illness and death benefit
- Free meals when you’re at work
- 50% off food in our restaurants for you and your loved ones
- An optional paid day each year to use for volunteering
- Exclusive savings on travel, shopping, restaurants, and more
- 28 days’ holiday that include service charge
- A restaurant welfare budget allocated for healthy snacks, drinks and support during our busiest times of the year
- Huge investment in training and development with qualifications across Wine, H&S, Food Safety, HR and a five-stage management development programme, run in partnership with the Watershed Management School
- Access to counselling, remote GP/physio services, legal advice and more
- Join a company committed to sustainability and inclusivity

Job insights from Breakroom
Chefs
Chefs prepare and cook food in restaurants, hotels and bars.
What you’ll do as a chef:
- Plan meals
- Prepare and cook food
- Purchase food and look after a budget
- Be responsible for the hygiene and safety of food served
Is it right for you?
This job may involve:
- Standing
- Physical activities
- Wearing a uniform
- Cleaning
- Anti-social hours
What employees say
Pay
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Okay
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Only some people are paid a living wage
Do Hawksmoor pay a living wage?
Some people are not paid a living wage.
How we know this
37% of people say they are paid below the Real Living Wage for where they live.Based on data from 38 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone should be paid enough to live on.
The Real Living Wage is a voluntary rate employers can sign up to that is based on the real cost of living.
The current rates are £12.60 per hour, and £13.85 per hour in London.
Find out more in our explainer about the Real Living Wage.
Good
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Most people are paid market rates
Do Hawksmoor pay market rates?
Most people are paid above average for their job.
How we know this
82% of people are paid above average for the type of work they do.Based on data from 38 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
Pay can vary a lot between types of job. Employers should be ensuring that the rates their staff are paid are in line with similar roles elsewhere.
Good
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Most people get paid breaks
Do workers at Hawksmoor get paid breaks?
Yes. Most people get paid breaks.
How we know this
88% of people say they get paid breaks.Based on data from 43 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should have paid breaks.
You should be paid for all your time at work, whether you’re on a break or not.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t get sick pay
Do Hawksmoor pay sick pay?
No. Most people don’t get proper sick pay.
How we know this
82% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.Based on data from 39 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off without worrying.
At a good job you should still get paid if you’re scheduled to work but can’t due to sickness. Your contract should say how many sick days you can take each year.
This is more than the legal minimum, which says you should only get paid if you are unwell for 4 full days. See Citizens Advice for more details.
Good
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Most people don’t do unpaid extra work
Do workers at Hawksmoor do extra work that they don't get paid for?
Rarely. Most people don’t do unpaid extra work.
How we know this
86% of people report that they don’t do extra unpaid work.Based on data from 37 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone should get paid for any extra work they do, even if it is outside your contracted hours. At a good job, you should be paid for all the time you spend at work.
Hours and flexibility
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Needs improving
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Less than 4 weeks notice of shifts
How much notice do people get of their shift pattern at Hawksmoor?
Most people don’t get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working.
How we know this
- 80% of people with changing schedules report getting one week notice or less.
- 20% of people with changing schedules report getting two weeks notice.
- 0% of people with changing schedules report getting three weeks notice.
- 0% of people with changing schedules report getting four weeks notice or more.
Based on data from 41 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, you get plenty of notice about when you’re working.
This makes it easy for you to plan the rest of life, as well as your finances, because you know how much you’ll be working and when.
Okay
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Some people worry about their hours
Do workers at Hawksmoor worry about hours?
Some people worry about getting enough hours.
How we know this
50% of people report they worry about getting enough hours.Based on data from 34 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting enough hours each week.
A good job should guarantee you a minimum number of hours in a contract, if you want it.
This makes it easier to plan your finances, because you know how much you’ll be earning.
Good
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Most people get a choice of shifts
Do Hawksmoor workers get to choose the shifts they work?
Most people get enough choice over which shifts they work.
How we know this
82% report that their manager gives them enough choice over which shifts they work.Based on data from 39 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.
Okay
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Can be hard to change shifts
How easy is it for Hawksmoor workers to change shifts?
Some people find it hard to change shifts.
How we know this
37% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.Based on data from 38 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. It should be easy to change a shift if you need to, whether that’s in an emergency or for planning ahead.
Good
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Easy to book holiday
How easy is it to book a holiday at Hawksmoor?
Most people find it easy to book holiday.
How we know this
92% of people report it’s easy to book holidays.Based on data from 39 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should let you take time off when you need it, and it shouldn’t be a nightmare to arrange.
Good
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Shifts don’t get changed at short notice
Do Hawksmoor managers change shifts at short notice?
Most managers don’t change people’s shifts at short notice.
How we know this
87% of people say their manager doesn’t changes their shifts at the last minute.Based on data from 39 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
If your manager is often changing your shifts at short notice that’s a sign of poor planning. At a good job you won’t be messed around at the last minute.
Good
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Most people find it easy to take sick leave
How easy is it to take sick leave at Hawksmoor?
Most people find it easy to take sick leave.
How we know this
86% of people report that it’s easy to take time off if they are sick.Based on data from 36 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off when you need to.
A good job should support you when you’re unwell and have systems in place that will allow you to take time off to recover when you need it.
Needs improving
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People work a lot more hours than their contract
Do people work the same number they are contracted for at Hawksmoor?
Most people work a lot more hours than their contact..
How we know this
70% of people report working 8 hours or more than their contract.Based on data from 27 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, you should expect to work about the same number of hours that your contract guarantees you, most of the time.
It’s useful to pick up or drop a few shifts here and there, but if you often work a lot more hours every week than you’re contracted for, a good job should guarantee them.
This means you’re more likely to know when you’ll be working and how much you’ll earn in advance.
Workplace
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Good
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Most people feel treated with respect
Do people at Hawksmoor feel treated with respect by their managers?
Most people feel treated with respect by their managers.
How we know this
92% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managers.Based on data from 36 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone should get treated with respect by their managers. You shouldn’t feel discriminated against or bullied, and if you have a problem you should be able to speak to someone about it.
Good
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Most people get proper breaks
Do people at Hawksmoor get proper breaks?
Most people get proper breaks.
How we know this
72% of people report that they get to take proper breaks.Based on data from 39 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
When you take a break it should be a proper rest. It should last the full duration and you shouldn’t get pulled off it.
Needs improving
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Most people are stressed
Is it stressful to work at Hawksmoor?
Most people feel stressed here.
How we know this
73% of people say they often feel stressed at work.Based on data from 41 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
Work isn’t always easy, but if you’re frequently feel stressed, that’s not good.
Your employer should support you with enough people and resources to get your job done without feeling overwhelmed.
Good
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Most people enjoy their job
Do people at Hawksmoor enjoy their jobs?
Most people enjoy their job.
How we know this
85% of people report they enjoy their job.Based on data from 33 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2023 and January 2025.
Good
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Most people recommend their team
Do people at Hawksmoor recommend working with their team?
Most people recommend working with their team.
How we know this
69% of people report that they would recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.Based on data from 42 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
A good job means enjoying the place where you work.
The people you work with every day really matter. They can be the difference between a terrible day and a great one.
If you’d recommend your team to a friend, this shows that something’s going right.
Good
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Most people get enough training
Do people get enough training when they start at Hawksmoor?
Most people got enough training when they started.
How we know this
74% of people report they got enough training when they started working here.Based on data from 39 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should give you good training when you start, not just drop you in at the deep end.
This means that you’ll be happier and more productive from day one and shows that your employer values you.
It’s also very important if your job involves anything that could be dangerous. Good training from the outset keeps you and your team safe.
Good
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Most people get support to progress
Are people given support to progress at Hawksmoor?
Most people are given support to progress here.
How we know this
In the last year, 68% of people report being given an opportunity to get better at their job, learn a new skill, learn to manage a team or get more responsibility in their role.Based on data from 37 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should help you progress at work, if you want to. That might be supporting you to get better at the job you currently have, learn something new, manage a team or take on more responsibilities.
This means you’ll be able to build on your skills and experience, and earn more money.
Okay
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Head office only partly understands what’s happening
Do people think Hawksmoor head office understands what's happening where they work?
Some people think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.
How we know this
67% of people think that this employer’s head office or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.Based on data from 39 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, the role of head office should be to support the people on the frontline serving customers.
To do that properly, the company’s owners or head office need to have a good understanding of what’s really happening on the frontline. This is especially important when a company owns multiple locations.
Good
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Most people feel well informed by head office
Do workers feel well informed about how Hawksmoor is doing?
Most people feel well informed about how the company is doing.
How we know this
68% of people feel that they are kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.Based on data from 41 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2023 and December 2024.
Why this matters
At a good job, there should be a supportive relationship between the people working on the frontline serving customers and the people who own the company or work in head office.
You should be kept informed about how the company is doing as a whole, both in good times and when things get tough for the business.
What Hawksmoor employees say about their job
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Best thing
Payment every 2 weeks, the discount and perks, multiple options of restaurants to work
Worst thing
Schedules changes a lot all the time
Hawksmoor Bartender, November 2024
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Best thing
Good ambiance
Worst thing
Rely on service charge to pay decent salary
Hawksmoor Bartender, November 2023
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