Sous Chef

Company Overview

Founded in 1875, the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) of Singapore is a social service agency empowering women from low-income families through holistic programmes. YWCA Fort Canning supports these initiatives via hospitality revenue.

Job Summary

The Sous Chef supports the Head Chef to ensure smooth kitchen operations, maintain food quality, manage inventory, and lead the kitchen team to deliver consistent, high-standard culinary experiences.

Responsibilities

Kitchen Operations

• Lead kitchen operations effectively in the Head Chef's absence to maintain seamless service delivery.
• Collaborate with the Head Chef to organize kitchen workflow, enhance staff skills, and identify training opportunities.
• Ensure all food preparation and presentation consistently meet the Head Chef's quality standards.
• Supervise food preparation processes to control quality and maintain presentation standards.
• Manage food service quality and portion consistency to meet operational requirements.
• Oversee food and product ordering by maintaining detailed records, minimizing waste, and supporting budget management through system improvements.
• Assist in menu creation, planning daily specials, and developing food promotions aligned with customer preferences.
• Coordinate with the Food & Beverage Department on daily activities, functions, and special orders to ensure smooth operations.
• Address guest inquiries, concerns, and feedback promptly to enhance customer satisfaction.

Hygiene Standards

• Monitor and ensure all kitchen equipment and utensils are clean, functional, and safe to use.
• Maintain a safe and hygienic kitchen environment compliant with sanitation regulations and food safety standards.
• Adhere strictly to food safety and hygiene protocols to uphold regulatory compliance.

Inventory Management

• Organize and oversee kitchen stock and ingredient inventory to ensure accuracy and availability.
• Maintain well-stocked cooking stations, especially during peak operation hours.
• Verify that all food storage units meet safety and quality standards consistently.
• Collaborate with the Procurement team to coordinate timely supply ordering.

Cost Control

• Estimate food consumption accurately and prepare requisitions specifying types and quantities of food items.
• Maintain adequate food inventory levels to support kitchen operations.
• Implement portion control and utilize food surpluses efficiently to reduce waste.

People Management

• Mentor, coach, and guide junior kitchen staff in line cooking, food preparation, and dish plating to develop their skills.
• Support the Head Chef in recruiting and training new kitchen employees to meet operational standards.
• Assist in planning and conducting staff training sessions to enhance team capabilities.
• Help prepare duty rosters and annual leave plans to ensure adequate kitchen staffing.

• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Head Chef to support kitchen operations.

Preferred competencies and qualifications

• Diploma in Culinary Arts.
• Speciality in banquet and local cuisine.
• Extensive food and beverage knowledge.
• Familiarity with industry best practices.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Willingness to work on weekends and public holidays.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant hospitality experience preferred.