As a Sous Chef at the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, a Belmond Train, you will play a key leadership role within an exceptional culinary team, helping to deliver world-class dining experiences aboard one of the most iconic luxury trains in the world. Supporting the Executive Chef, you will oversee kitchen operations, lead and develop the brigade, and ensure every dish meets the highest standards of quality, presentation, and consistency. If you are passionate about fine dining, leadership, and luxury hospitality, this is your opportunity to be part of the future of luxury.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
• Assist the Executive Chef in overseeing all kitchen operations, ensuring exceptional culinary and service standards throughout the journey.
• Supervise and coordinate the kitchen brigade, including Chef de Parties and Kitchen Stewards, ensuring smooth operations and efficient workflow.
• Coordinate meal preparation across all kitchen sections, ensuring timely execution aligned with guest expectations and train schedules.
• Plan, monitor, and manage mise en place, ingredients, equipment, and supplies required for each journey.
• Maintain the highest standards of food safety, hygiene, sanitation, and workplace cleanliness.
• Manage inventory, stock control, and ordering requirements while minimising waste and ensuring cost efficiency.
• Lead, coach, and mentor kitchen team members, supporting their development and performance.
• Train new joiners on culinary procedures, safety standards, and the unique operational requirements of luxury train service.
• Support hands-on food preparation and service during high-demand periods when required.
• Collaborate closely with the restaurant and service teams to ensure a seamless guest dining experience.
• Adapt menus and operations according to guest preferences, dietary requirements, and journey-specific needs.
• Oversee the preparation of crew meals while maintaining quality and consistency standards.
Requirements
What You Bring
• Previous experience as a Sous Chef in a luxury hotel, Michelin-starred restaurant, fine dining establishment, luxury cruise ship, or premium hospitality environment.
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing and developing kitchen teams.
• Extensive knowledge of fine dining cuisine, food preparation, presentation, and service standards.
• Excellent understanding of HACCP, food safety, and hygiene regulations.
• Expertise in stock management, inventory control, and kitchen cost management.
• Ability to perform in a fast-paced, high-pressure luxury hospitality environment.
• Strong organisational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Passion for mentoring and developing culinary talent.
• Fluency in English; additional European languages are an advantage.
• Flexibility to travel extensively across Europe and work varying schedules, including weekends and public holidays.
Benefits
BELMOND AND YOU
By joining Belmond, you become part of a global family.
We ask you to embrace Belmond's values, follow our guidelines, and embody the spirit of our group.
In return, we are committed to ensuring that our employees enjoy unforgettable experiences just as much as our guests.
Benefits include the Discovering Belmond program, which offers team members complimentary stays, subject to availability, at Belmond properties, discounted rates on our trains, cruises, and safaris, as well as food and beverage discounts.
Team members also benefit from comprehensive health and life insurance coverage and unlimited access to world-class learning platforms, empowering them to continuously develop new skills and advance their careers.