Location
London

Hours
Full Time, including evenings, weekends and key hospitality moments as required

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
Delano London, opening in late 2026, brings the spirit and celebrated heritage of the iconic Delano Miami Beach to London, reimagined for a new generation. Set overlooking Kensington Gardens, the hotel will feature 67 rooms and suites, Lana Lusa, the legendary Rose Bar and Rose Lounge, alongside The Source wellness offering. Delano is a place where personality, creativity and genuine connection come together, valuing curiosity, individuality and a sense of fun to create an environment where our people can be themselves while delivering thoughtful, intuitive and genuinely warm hospitality.

We are seeking an exceptional Senior Sous Chef to join the pre-opening team, reporting to the Executive Head Chef. You will play a key leadership role within the culinary operation, supporting the opening and day-to-day running of our restaurants, bars, room service and events. This role involves building and inspiring the kitchen team, establishing exceptional culinary standards, and bringing creativity, consistency and strong operational discipline to the kitchen.

Delano London will fuse historic charm with contemporary luxury, creating a distinctive lifestyle destination where design, dining, nightlife and wellbeing seamlessly converge. As Senior Sous Chef, you will support the Executive Head Chef in leading the culinary operation across breakfast and a Mediterranean concept for lunch and dinner, ensuring consistently high standards of food quality, presentation and execution.

Your responsibilities will include acting as a senior leader within the kitchen brigade, supporting the opening of the culinary operation, working closely on menu development, leading and developing the kitchen team, recruiting and training the opening kitchen team, establishing SOPs and quality controls, ensuring every dish reflects the Delano identity, and maintaining excellent communication with Front of House. You will oversee mise en place, preparation, service and close-down procedures, support food cost control and purchasing, manage kitchen rotas, support VIP dining and special events, and maintain compliance with food safety, HACCP, Health & Safety and hygiene standards.

This role offers the opportunity to help shape the culinary identity of Delano London from day one, work within an innovative international group, contribute creatively to menus, and lead a high-performing culinary team in a luxury pre-opening environment.

Experience
Strong experience as a Senior Sous Chef, Sous Chef or equivalent senior culinary position, ideally within a luxury hotel, premium restaurant or high-quality lifestyle operation. Previous pre-opening experience is highly desirable.

Excellent knowledge of modern cooking techniques, high-quality ingredients, menu development and kitchen operations.

Strong understanding of food cost, GP, labour, purchasing, stock control, wastage and kitchen productivity.

About you
Confident culinary leader passionate about developing people and leading by example, creating a kitchen culture built around professionalism, respect, creativity and high standards.

Excellent organisational skills with the ability to remain calm, focused and solutions-oriented under pressure.

Strong attention to detail with a commitment to consistency essential for a luxury guest experience.

Comfortable working with kitchen systems including recipe management, costing, inventory, purchasing, HACCP and rota platforms.

Excellent communicator and relationship builder, confident working with Front of House, F&B leadership, suppliers and senior hotel management.

Creative and commercially minded, able to balance culinary ambition with operational and financial realities.

Culturally aware and globally minded, understanding London’s evolving culinary scene and luxury international hotel expectations.

Flexible and prepared to work evenings, weekends and key hospitality moments as required.

Qualifications
Strong understanding of food safety, allergens, HACCP and Health & Safety requirements.

Relevant culinary qualifications and professional training are advantageous but not explicitly stated.