- Employment
- Temporary
- Seniority
- Mid-Level
- Department
- Culinary & Food Production
- Posted
- Oct 21, 2026
About Belmond
Belmond is a distinguished name in luxury travel, curating exceptional hotels, trains, river cruises and safaris in some of the world’s most storied destinations. As an employer, Belmond offers the rare opportunity to contribute to experiences defined by heritage, artistry and deeply personal service, while belonging to a global hospitality house within the LVMH family. The company values intuitive excellence, cultural curiosity and respect for place, encouraging colleagues to become ambassadors of timeless travel. With roles spanning operations, gastronomy, wellness, sales and corporate functions, Belmond fosters careers shaped by craftsmanship, international perspective and the pursuit of unforgettable guest moments.
The Sous Chef supports the Executive Chef aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, overseeing kitchen operations, leading and developing the brigade, and maintaining culinary standards throughout each journey. This temporary role combines hands-on service with team leadership, inventory and cost management, and coordination with restaurant teams.
Role & Responsibilities
- Assist the Executive Chef in overseeing kitchen operations and maintaining culinary and service standards throughout each journey.
- Supervise and coordinate the kitchen brigade, including Chef de Parties and Kitchen Stewards, to ensure smooth operations and efficient workflow.
- Coordinate meal preparation across kitchen sections, ensuring timely execution in line with guest expectations and train schedules.
- Plan, monitor, and manage mise en place, ingredients, equipment, and supplies for each journey.
- Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene, sanitation, and workplace cleanliness.
- Manage inventory, stock control, and ordering while minimising waste and ensuring cost efficiency.
- Lead, coach, and mentor kitchen team members, supporting their development and performance.
- Train new joiners in culinary procedures, safety standards, and the operational requirements of luxury train service.
- Support hands-on food preparation and service during high-demand periods as required.
- Collaborate with restaurant and service teams to ensure a seamless guest dining experience.
- Adapt menus and operations to guest preferences, dietary requirements, and journey-specific needs.
- Oversee preparation of crew meals while maintaining quality and consistency.
Qualifications
- Previous experience as a Sous Chef in a luxury hotel, Michelin-starred restaurant, fine dining establishment, luxury cruise ship, or premium hospitality environment.
- 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.
Skills
Experience
Previous experience as a Sous Chef in a luxury hotel, Michelin-starred restaurant, fine dining establishment, luxury cruise ship, or premium hospitality environment.
Workplace
The successful candidate will be located in Venice, Veneto, Italy.
Benefits
Complimentary stays at Belmond properties through the Discovering Belmond program, subject to availability; discounted rates on Belmond trains, cruises, and safaris; food and beverage discounts; comprehensive health and life insurance coverage; unlimited access to learning platforms.
Culture
Belmond fosters a workplace culture rooted in exceptional hospitality, craftsmanship, and a deep respect for the heritage of its iconic hotels, trains, river cruises, and safari lodges. As an employer, it encourages employees to create memorable, highly personalized experiences while nurturing a collaborative, multicultural environment where service excellence and storytelling are central to everyday work.
About Cerulean
Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.
Frequently Asked Questions
The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like Belmond, titles may vary across global markets to reflect local conventions. To ensure absolute clarity, Cerulean assigns a standardised, industry-coherent canonical title to every listing. However, it is worth noting that this role is functionally synonymous with «Deputy Head Chef», «Assistant Head Chef», «Kitchen Sous Chef», «Second Chef», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.