Job Ref: DAL5198
Branch: Clayton Hotel Amsterdam American
Location: Clayton Hotel Amsterdam American, Amsterdam
Salary/Benefits: Competitive Salary
Contract type: Contract
Hours: Full Time
Hours per week: 0-38
Posted date: 18/06/2026
Closing date: 19/08/2026
Junior Sous Chef - Cafe Americain at Clayton Hotel Amsterdam American
Step into the spotlight at Café Americain - an iconic, Art Deco dining landmark in the heart of Amsterdam’s bustling Leidseplein.
We’re looking for a Junior Sous Chef who brings passion, precision, and creativity to every plate, leading others with skill and flair. From classic European flavours to bold modern twists, you’ll help shape the culinary identity of one of the city’s most storied restaurants.
Clayton Hotel Amsterdam American, part of the Dalata Hotel Group, is a 4-star, 173-room hotel nestled in one of the most beautiful art nouveau buildings in the Netherlands. Home to the legendary Café Americain and stylish Bar Americain, we serve guests from around the world with a culinary experience that’s as memorable as the setting.
Objective of the Role
As Junior Sous Chef, you’ll support the Sous Chef and Executive Chef in coordinating kitchen operations across all sections, ensuring efficient production, high standards, and smooth service delivery. You’ll play a vital role in supporting the kitchen team across all our food and beverage outlets, including Café Americain and Bar Americain, ensuring every dish meets our high standards of quality, consistency, and creativity.
With your deep culinary knowledge and finger on the pulse of the latest trends and techniques, you’ll help push our menus forward while mentoring junior chefs and maintaining smooth, efficient service. This hands-on, high-energy role is perfect for chefs who love to lead, create, and grow within a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Key Responsibilities
Coordinate Kitchen Operations
- Coordinate kitchen production across sections, managing day-to-day operations with precision, care, and confidence
- Prepare and plate dishes to the highest standards, following recipes, plating guides, and chef’s specifications
- Conduct regular quality checks on flavour, texture, temperature, and presentation to ensure consistency
Manage Prep Supplies
- Oversee mise en place, daily prep, and food storage, ensuring strict adherence to FIFO, HACCP, and safety procedures
- Monitor stock levels, report shortages, and support ordering of ingredients and supplies to keep kitchen operations running smoothly and efficiently
- Ensure proper storage temperatures, best-before date checks, and HACCP compliance for all goods
Coach Collaborate
- Supervise, mentor, and support (junior) chefs, delegating tasks effectively to maintain smooth service
- Act as a key operational support to the Sous Chef and Executive Chef, and be point of contact in their absence
- Contribute to menu development by suggesting creative improvements and new ideas
Maintain Standards
- Maintain high standards of cleanliness, organisation, and food safety throughout your section and the kitchen
- Ensure compliance with hotel policies and regulatory health safety guidelines
Operational Responsibilities
- Coordinate smooth service across all kitchen sections during peak periods
- Handle guest feedback, complaints, and service issues when required
- Act as kitchen point of contact in absence of Sous Chef or Executive Chef
What We’re Looking For:
We’re looking for a Junior Sous Chef who’s got the skills, energy, and attitude to thrive in a fast-paced kitchen. Here’s what makes a great fit:
- Culinary training – MBO Level 3 or higher (or equivalent experience)
- Hands-on experience in a professional kitchen environment
- Solid knowledge of core cooking techniques, food safety standards (HACCP), allergens, and food trends
- A natural sense of quality and presentation — you care about the details
- Strong leadership, organisation, and time management skills, especially during busy service
- A team player who communicates well and supports others
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays
If you're passionate, reliable, and ready to grow - we want to hear from you.
What You’ll Get From Us:
At Dalata, we believe great people deserve great rewards. Here’s what you can expect when you join our team:
A Culture That Cares
- A warm, people-first team where you’re valued and supported
- Regular staff events, recognition programmes, and a workplace that feels like home
Real Career Progression
- Access to our Dalata Academy for learning, growth, career development
- Opportunities to grow your career across our hotels currently in Ireland, the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands
Daily Perks
- Fresh meals during your shift
- Uniform provided
- 50% off food drinks in all Dalata hotels
- €60 employee room rate across all Dalata-owned properties
- 30% Friends Family discount on stays
Extra Benefits
- One extra annual leave day for every year you work (up to 5 additional days)
- Travel allowance for commutes over 10km
- Free overnight stay in the hotel after your probation period
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
A Culture You Can Grow In:
At Dalata Hotel Group, we don’t just run hotels — we build careers and communities. We bring the heart of hospitality to everything we do: supporting our teams, welcoming our guests, and growing together across countries. As Ireland's largest hotel operator, we see our growth and expansion plans as a way of spreading our unique way of caring for our guests further around the world, bringing better experiences to more people. Currently the Dalata difference can be felt at each of our hotels in Ireland, the UK, Germany the Netherlands, and we’ll keep expanding this further, focusing on key UK cities, Dublin and Continental Europe.
You’ll be joining a workplace that values Our People, Our Fairness, Our Service and Our Individuality. Whether you’re on your first day or your fifth year, your ideas, voice, and growth matter here. Our company is a place where you can do great things – individually and as a team. Through our award-winning training programmes and a culture of recognition, we’ll help you reach the next level — and enjoy the journey along the way.
Dalata is a proudly inclusive employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive. If you need any accommodations during the application process, just let us know.
Ready to take your next step? Apply now and show us what you bring to the table!
Whether it's getting to know you better to make your workday more enjoyable or offering small gestures that make your stay even more memorable, we’re always committed to experiences that are all about you. Our hotel is ideally located in the heart of Amsterdam, offering a perfect base for those seeking both work and relaxation. Situated alongside the picturesque canal, we’re just a short stroll from Vondelpark and the museum district, with the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum just around the corner. With everything from food, culture, and entertainment nearby, it's the ideal location to recharge after a productive day. Plus, being right next to the Leidseplein tram stop means you’re perfectly connected to the rest of the city, whether for business or leisure.
