2026 Sous Chef (The Mermaid)
Salary £ 17.00 per hour
The Mermaid Tavern
Vacancy listed 26/12/2025
Application deadline 31/03/2026
Details
Contract Dates
Start date 1 April 2026
End date 4 October 2026

Role Summary
The Mermaid Tavern is a high-volume, gastro pub-style venue on Herm Island, known for its busy service periods and lively events. With a mix of pub classics, seasonal specials and event menus, the kitchen delivers consistently high-quality food for both residents and day visitors, plus larger event groups.

We are seeking an experienced and driven Sous Chef to support the Head Chef in leading the Mermaid kitchen team. You will play a key role in day-to-day kitchen operations, ensuring excellent food quality, smooth service and strong standards in a fast-paced environment. This role is hands-on and ideal for someone who thrives in a busy pub kitchen and enjoys leading from the front.


Key Responsibilities 
  • Assist the Head Chef in overseeing all kitchen operations at The Mermaid Tavern, ensuring consistently high standards of food preparation, taste and presentation.
  • Lead and supervise the kitchen team during service, particularly in busy peak periods and events.
  • Support with the planning, development and execution of seasonal menus, daily specials and event menus suitable for a busy gastro pub.
  • Ensure all dishes are prepared to spec, on time, and in line with portion control and presentation standards.
  • Take charge of the kitchen in the Head Chef’s absence, managing service, staff, and any operational issues that arise.
  • Ensures portion control is consistently applied and actively reduces food waste through smart prep, correct storage and efficient use of ingredients.
  • Maintain high standards of kitchen cleanliness and organisation, ensuring compliance with HACCP, food hygiene and health & safety regulations.
  • Support with stock control, ordering and deliveries for The Mermaid kitchen, ensuring efficient use of ingredients and minimal waste.
  • Monitor GP, wastage and portion control in line with agreed targets, working with the Head Chef and management to improve margins where possible.
  • Work closely with the front-of-house and bar teams to coordinate service, manage ticket times and respond to guest feedback.
  • Assist with the delivery of food for functions, group bookings and events (e.g. live music nights, specials evenings, group menus, BBQs, etc.).
  • Help identify training needs for junior chefs and kitchen porters; coach and support them to improve skills, speed and consistency.
  • Maintain a calm, professional approach in a fast-paced service environment, especially during busy weekends and peak season.


Competencies Required
  • Strong leadership and people management skills with the ability to motivate and support a mixed-experience kitchen team.
  • Able to stay calm, organised and focused under pressure during busy services and events.
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work closely with FOH, bar and management teams.
  • Sound understanding of food safety, HACCP, allergen management and general kitchen H&S practices.
  • Good organisational skills – able to plan prep, service and cleaning schedules effectively.
  • Strong sense of ownership, accountability and attention to detail.
  • Creative approach to pub-style food, daily specials and event menus, while respecting cost and margin targets.
  • Flexible and adaptable attitude – comfortable with last-minute changes to covers, menus and booking patterns.
  • Physically fit and able to handle the demands of a busy kitchen (heat, heavy lifting, long shifts on your feet).


Technical Skills Required
  • Confident with dishes like burgers, steaks, fish & chips, pies, grills, curries, loaded fries, sharing boards, Sunday roasts.
  • Able to deliver comfort food that’s consistent, hot and on time.
  • Used to busy services, fully booked Sundays, and “everyone ordered at once” moments.
  • Can read and prioritise dockets, keep calm and keep the line moving.
  • Strong skills using fryers, flat-top, chargrill and salamander.
  • Able to manage multiple tickets across fry, grill and garnish without crashing the kitchen.
  • Cooking and holding joints correctly (beef, pork, turkey, gammon) to temp.
  • Confident with roast potatoes, Yorkshires, gravy and veg for large covers.
  • Batch prep of sauces, gravies, soups, curries, pie fillings, etc.
  • Portioning, labelling, dating and storing in line with food safety and speed of service.
  • Working to dish specs: portion size, plating, garnishes, upsell items.
  • Maintaining consistency across shifts so guests “get what they expect” every time.

Qualifications / Experience Required
  • 3–5 years’ experience in a similar role (Sous Chef or strong Senior Chef de Partie) in a busy pub, restaurant or hotel kitchen.
  • Experience working in high-volume service environments without compromising quality or consistency.
  • Good knowledge of classic and contemporary pub/gastro dishes, with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients.
  • Proven experience in kitchen organisation, prep planning, and service management.
  • Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene (minimum).
  • HACCP awareness/training (formal certification desirable).
  • First Aid at Work (desirable but not essential).


General
  • The role requires a high level of stamina; most days you will be on your feet for most of your shift.
  • You must be able to lift and carry heavy items (e.g. bulk ingredients, containers, equipment) safely.
  • You are required to work in line with the Health and Safety at Work (General) (Guernsey) Ordinance and undertake relevant H&S training and risk assessments as required.

Working within the Health and Safety at Work (General) (Guernsey) Ordinance, the postholder has a legal duty to take reasonable care for Health and Safety both for themselves and others who may be affected by their actions. They are also required to undertake Health and Safety training commensurate with the level required by the post and to take part in risk assessment procedures and the implementation of agreed recommended work practices within the area. 
  
Undertaking other duties not specifically stated which from time to time are necessary without altering the nature or level of responsibility. 
 
In addition to the required key responsibilities, it is expected that every employee acts in a professional manner at all times, including when off duty, as guests and employees use the same facilities, infrastructure and social areas.

About working on Herm Island
The small paradise island of Herm is just off Guernsey in the Channel Islands, which lie in the English Channel between southern England and northern France.  
 
Herm is a designated tourist island which is reached by a 20-minute ferry journey from Guernsey harbour, and where guests and day visitors enjoy year-round hospitality.  
  
 Guest accommodation includes: 
  • The White House Hotel: 
    • 40-bedroomed boutique hotel with several family sized and dog friendly rooms. 
  • Self-catering Holiday Cottages:  
    • 19 cottages and apartments dotted around the island sleeping between 2 – 7 people. 
  • Seagull & Mermaid Campsites:  
    • offering over 130 seasonal pitches rented on an annual basis by Guernsey families, and 23 equipped tents for short-term hire April to September.  
  • Herm also has a range of dining options and facilities including: 
    • The Conservatory Restaurant: a 90-cover classic, fine-dining hotel restaurant. 
    • The Ship Inn: a brasserie style inn seating 70 inside, and 80 in the courtyard and garden. 
    • The Mermaid Tavern: a popular and busy gastro pub which also hosts live entertainment and events throughout the year with a capacity of 500 people. 
    • 120-seater marquee for special events in the hotel grounds. 
  • Harbour Village, Shell Beach and Belvoir Bay Cafés:  
    • three outdoor seated cafés, one in the busy Harbour Village and the other two at the most scenic and popular beaches in Herm. 
  • The Herm Shop: 
    • a busy shop which stocks a host of products from gifts and clothing to beach goods and toys. 

Working in Herm 
 
Working and living in Herm is a truly unique and rewarding opportunity. There are approximately 50 permanent staff with year-round roles with up to an additional 100 seasonal staff. 
  
The hospitality teams are supported by several back-office departments including finance, reservations, administration, marketing, and recruitment. The island properties, infrastructure and landscape are maintained by a team of professionals and the island also has its own cargo vessel managed by the Services team. 
  
As there are no cars or bicycles in Herm a good degree of fitness is required to negotiate the varied terrain. With no resident doctor or hospital, shortlisted applicants are advised to self-assess their suitability to work on the island. Several residents are trained as community first responders delivering first aid, policing, and fire services.
 
The rewards are plentiful if you are hard-working and motivated by small team collaboration, helping others, delivering a professional service and above all, taking accountability for your role.
 
 
Vision & Culture
  
Our VISION is to have a sustainable business whilst preserving the unique appeal of Herm Island, including environmental project work.  
 
Our CULTURE encourages a hard-working, collaborative, team approach focused on accountability, empowerment and ultimately excellent customer and staff experience. 




Benefits

Flat 20% Income Tax rate over personal allowance, plus low Social Security rate
Zero VAT
Competitive board & lodging rates
Free ferry travel between Herm and Guernsey
Staff discounts on-island
Preferential accommodation rates for Friends and Family outside of Peak Season
Stunning beaches with exceptional sea swimming / kayaking / SUP opportunities
On the job training to include Level 2 Food Hygiene certification

Notes

NOTES: to enable us to consider your application please read the below information before completing the NOTES section in your application

EXPERIENCE: If you have no relevant prior experience, please provide additional information in the NOTES section.

ELIGIBILITY - Please confirm what relevant permissions you possess to work in Herm Island, or whether permissions need to be obtained under the States of Guernsey Work Permit Policy – information on Work Permits can be found here (copy and paste into your browser) https://www.gov.gg/immigration

IMPORTANT - When applying please UPLOAD your CV and a cover letter explaining why you wish to apply for the position.

AVAILABILITY - Please let us know your preferred start / finish dates if they do not align with those stated above.

OTHER - If you are applying as a couple, please state your partner's name.

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