Sous Chef
Hastings HotelsThe Breakroom Take
- People enjoy this job
- Recommended by students
- Respectful managers
- Learn new skills
About Hastings Hotels
Hastings Hotels is a luxury hotel chain in Northern Ireland.
Job description from Hastings Hotels
Hastings Hotels is a family owned, luxury hotel group based in Northern Ireland. We value our people. It's our people who provide the excellent experience we offer to all our guests. When we work together we can do amazing things. We are seeking a reliable and enthusiastic person to become part of our talented Kitchen team. Under the inspiring leadership of our General Manager, Andy McNeill, you will have the opportunity to work with our friendly team, develop your skills and enjoy the variety offered by a role in hospitality. The successful candidate can expect to work 45 hours per week (excluding breaks), five shifts out seven including weekends. Hours vary, but typical shift patterns include, 11am to 11pm, 2pm to 10pm. The salary for this full-time position is £38,000 per annum. We offer a range of benefits including free staff meals, employee discounts, cash and credit card tips, an excellent service charge shared across the team, 29 days holiday plus your birthday and opportunities for career progression and development. About The Role About the Role To assist with the management of the Kitchen to ensure the Hastings standards of preparation and presentation are maintained. Helping the Executive Head Chef manage the smooth and efficient operation of the Kitchens, ensuring the Hotels reputation for food quality is always maintained. Ensuring the planning, preparation, cooking and presentation of food is to the standard required by the Hotel and its guests. To assist the Executive Head Chef in creating new and innovative menus Contributing to the development of the hotels business plan, projects and initiatives in order to develop the hotels business and market position. Helping the Executive Head Chef manage the culinary budget and kitchen expenditure. Ensuring Company policies relating to stock management and stock ordering are implemented and monitored, taking appropriate action to resolve problems. Ensuring the hotel complies with all matters relating to food hygiene regulations, environmental health laws and all other relevant legislation. Ensuring the Hotels 5* hygiene score is maintained. Ensuring the security of the kitchen and storage areas is maintained at all times. Ensuring all kitchen employees receive appropriate training, coaching and development to meet the Hastings stantand Ensuring Hastings quality standards and procedures are fully understood, implemented and regularly reviewed, and that formal and informal feedback is delivered to ensure continual Hastings quality standards and procedures are fully understood, implemented and regularly reviewed, and that formal and informal feedback is delivered to ensure continual improvement. Conducting team meetings on a regular basis to communicate standards required, targets and company information. Ensuring all kitchen areas, fixtures and equipment are properly maintained and presented to the Hastings standard. Working effectively with colleagues across departments to ensure a harmonious working environment where all employees are treated with respect and dignity. Carrying out any other duties as required. About You We would love you to have similar previous experience gained within a quality catering establishment Required Criteria Good communication skills A clean and tidy appearance Must have excellent attention to detail Right to Work in the United Kingdom Must have previous experience at a similar level gained within a high quality catering operation Must have NVQ level 2 or the equivalent in Food Preparation and Cooking and hold a recognised current Food Hygiene Certificate Desired Criteria Experience of creating and writing menus Skills Needed Chefing Skills, Bakery Skills, Dessert Skills About The Company Hastings Hotels owns and operates six hotels in Northern Ireland, with over 1,000 bedrooms, one stand-alone grill bar/restaurant and a luxury spa. From city centre buzz to seaside resort, each outlet has a distinctive personality and market positioning. Over 50 years this family owned business has successfully earned its identity and in a crowded market place because we place quality at the heart of what we do. Quality in the design of our properties and their upkeep. Quality in the local sourcing of the food and drink we offer our guests. And quality in our people, people with personality, attention to detail, and a desire to develop their careers with us. Company Culture Our guests remember small details. The open fires in the front hall. The supremely comfy beds. The fabulous breakfast... and the interactions they had with our staff. It is more important that you have the correct behaviours and attitude than every last qualification... we can help you attain that. We place great attention on recruitment, induction, and integrating you into your department, your hotel, and the Group. We want you to think about how you want to develop your career with us, and we promise to do what we can to help you on that journey. As a result, we are proud to have some of the best staff retention levels in the hospitality industry. Company Benefits We offer a range of benefits including free staff meals, cash and credit card tips, employee discounts, 29 days holiday plus your birthday and opportunities for career progression and development. Vacation, Paid time off, Retirement plan and/or pension, Employee development programs, Employee discounts, Cycle to work, Competitive salary, Event tickets, Preferential room rates, Family and friends rates, Discount on meals purchased , Discount on spa treatments or products, Long service recognition, Free meals during shifts, Free parking or Discounted parking , Employee Assistance Scheme, Wellbeing Scheme, Social Opportunities, Employee of the Month Salary £38,000.00 per year Skills: Chefing Skills Bakery Skills Dessert Skills Benefits: Vacation, Paid time off Retirement plan and/or pension Employee development programs Employee discounts Cycle to work Competitive salary
Map
Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
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What employees say
Pay
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Only some people are paid a living wage
Do Hastings Hotels pay a living wage?
Some people are not paid a living wage.
How we know this
62% of people say they are paid below the Real Living Wage for where they live.Based on data from 21 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2023 and April 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.
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Only some people are paid market rates
Do Hastings Hotels pay market rates?
Only some people are paid above average for their job.
How we know this
58% of people are paid below average for the type of work they do.Based on data from 19 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2023 and April 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.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t get paid breaks
Do workers at Hastings Hotels get paid breaks?
No. Most people don’t get paid breaks.
How we know this
91% of people say they don’t get paid breaks.Based on data from 23 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2023 and April 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 Hastings Hotels pay sick pay?
No. Most people don’t get proper sick pay.
How we know this
90% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.Based on data from 21 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2023 and April 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.
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Some people do unpaid extra work
Do workers at Hastings Hotels do extra work that they don't get paid for?
Sometimes. Some people do unpaid extra work.
How we know this
55% of people report that they do extra work that they don’t get paid for.Based on data from 22 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2023 and April 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 Hastings Hotels?
Most people don’t get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working.
How we know this
- 100% of people with changing schedules report getting one week notice or less.
- 0% 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 23 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2023 and April 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.
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Some people worry about their hours
Do workers at Hastings Hotels worry about hours?
Some people worry about getting enough hours.
How we know this
43% of people report they worry about getting enough hours.Based on data from 14 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2023 and April 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 Hastings Hotels workers get to choose the shifts they work?
Most people get enough choice over which shifts they work.
How we know this
86% report that their manager gives them enough choice over which shifts they work.Based on data from 22 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2023 and April 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.
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Can be hard to change shifts
How easy is it for Hastings Hotels workers to change shifts?
Some people find it hard to change shifts.
How we know this
42% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.Based on data from 19 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between September 2023 and April 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 Hastings Hotels?
Most people find it easy to book holiday.
How we know this
85% of people report it’s easy to book holidays.Based on data from 20 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2023 and April 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.
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Shifts can get changed at short notice
Do Hastings Hotels managers change shifts at short notice?
Some managers change people’s shifts at short notice.
How we know this
35% of people say their manager changes their shifts at the last minute.Based on data from 23 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2023 and April 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 Hastings Hotels?
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 21 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2023 and April 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 Hastings Hotels?
Most people work a lot more hours than their contact..
How we know this
77% of people report working 8 hours or more than their contract.Based on data from 13 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2023 and April 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.
Good
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Most students say it’s good
Is a Hastings Hotels job good for students?
Most students say this is a good place to work if you’re studying.
How we know this
73% of students report this is a good place to work if you’re studying.Based on data from 11 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should allow you to fit work around important things in your life, like studying.
Life isn’t just about work. Good jobs make space for you to do well in both.
Workplace
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Good
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Most people feel treated with respect
Do people at Hastings Hotels feel treated with respect by their managers?
Most people feel treated with respect by their managers.
How we know this
85% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managers.Based on data from 20 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2023 and April 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.
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Only some people get proper breaks
Do people at Hastings Hotels get proper breaks?
Some people don’t get proper breaks.
How we know this
57% of people report that they don’t get to take proper breaks.Based on data from 23 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2023 and April 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 Hastings Hotels?
Most people feel stressed here.
How we know this
79% of people say they often feel stressed at work.Based on data from 19 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2023 and April 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 Hastings Hotels enjoy their jobs?
Most people enjoy their job.
How we know this
77% of people report they enjoy their job.Based on data from 22 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2023 and April 2025.
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Only some people recommend their team
Do people at Hastings Hotels recommend working with their team?
Only some people recommend working with their team.
How we know this
48% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.Based on data from 23 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2023 and April 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.
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Only some people get enough training
Do people get enough training when they start at Hastings Hotels?
Some people didn’t get enough training when they started.
How we know this
59% of people report they didn’t get enough training when they started working here.Based on data from 22 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2023 and April 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 Hastings Hotels?
Most people are given support to progress here.
How we know this
In the last year, 67% 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 21 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2023 and April 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.
Needs improving
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Head office doesn’t understand what’s happening
Do people think Hastings Hotels head office understands what's happening where they work?
Most people think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.
How we know this
82% 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 22 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2023 and April 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.
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Only some people feel well informed by head office
Do workers feel well informed about how Hastings Hotels is doing?
Only some people feel well informed about how the company is doing.
How we know this
53% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.Based on data from 19 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2023 and April 2025.
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 Hastings Hotels employees say about their job
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Best thing
Discount to stay in other hotels
Worst thing
No breaks, 5 hours pay taken every week for non existent breaks, poor upper management
Receptionist at Hastings Hotels, January 2025
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Best thing
You get paid on time and the taxable deductions are correct
Worst thing
Having to do the work load of up to 3 people depending on business
Sous chef at Hastings Hotels, August 2023
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