At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team to create exceptional dining experiences for high-profile events.
- Company: Join Bowood Estate, a luxury destination known for its outstanding hospitality and beautiful setting.
- Benefits: Enjoy 31 days annual leave, free meals, and discounted spa treatments.
- Other info: Flexible shifts with excellent career growth opportunities in a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Showcase your culinary skills and creativity in a prestigious environment while making memorable guest experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Sous Chef in a high-volume setting and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are seeking a talented, passionate and driven Sous Chef to lead and support our Conferencing & Banqueting kitchen, delivering exceptional dining experiences for elegant weddings, gala dinners, corporate events, and private celebrations. If you love delivering exceptional food, and being part of memorable guest experiences, this could be your next exciting move. This is an opportunity to showcase excellence in every dish, bring innovative ideas to our event menus, work collaboratively within a high-performing team, and lead with integrity in everything you do.
The successful candidate will combine strong leadership skills, creative menu execution, and operational excellence to ensure seamless service for high-volume and high-profile events. This is a full-time role, working 45 hours per week on a shift rota, which include 08.00-17.00 and 11.00-22.00. Due to the rural location at the Bowood Estate, Calne, reliable transport is required. Free on-site parking is provided. Easily commutable from Chippenham, Devizes, Trowbridge, Swindon and surrounding Wiltshire areas.
Key responsibilities:
- Support the Head Chef in leading all banqueting kitchen operations.
- Deliver consistent, high-quality dishes to 4-star standards across all events.
- Manage food production, stock control, and cost efficiency maintaining GP targets.
- Work closely with events and front-of-house teams to ensure seamless service.
- Lead, train, and motivate the kitchen team.
- Ensure all food preparation complies with food safety regulations and HACCP standards.
- Support wider kitchen operations when required.
The Sous Chef will play a pivotal role in upholding the hotel’s reputation for excellence in conferencing and event catering.
The ideal candidate will have:
- Proven experience as a Sous Chef or Senior Chef de Partie in a 4-star or 5-star hotel or similar high-volume environment.
- Strong background in conferencing, banqueting or large scale event catering (200 covers).
- Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
- Strong leadership and communication abilities.
- Sound knowledge of food cost control and kitchen financials.
- Culinary qualification (NVQ Level 3, City & Guilds, or equivalent preferred).
- Food Safety Level 3 certification (or equivalent).
- Flexibility to work evening, weekends and holidays.
Benefits include:
- 31 days annual leave including Bank Holidays
- Uniform provided
- Meals on duty
- Pension scheme
- Free on-site parking
- Free entry to Bowood House and Gardens during open season
- Hugely discounted Golf Membership after probationary period
- Discounted spa treatments and 50% off Templespa products
- Employee Assistance Programme via Hospitality Action
- Company events and supportive team culture
Bowood Estate is one of Wiltshire’s leading luxury destinations, combining a 4-star hotel, award-winning spa, and championship golf course in a stunning countryside setting. We are proud of our reputation for exceptional hospitality, memorable weddings and events, and a warm, professional service culture. If you are a passionate Sous Chef who thrives in busy, high-standard event kitchen and wants to be part of a respected luxury estate, we would love to hear from you.
Banqueting Sous Chef: Luxury Event Kitchen Leader in Calne employer: Bowood
At Bowood Estate, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that values creativity and collaboration. As a Banqueting Sous Chef, you will enjoy a range of benefits including 31 days of annual leave, free on-site parking, and access to our stunning facilities, all while working in a supportive team environment that fosters professional growth and development. Join us in delivering unforgettable dining experiences in one of Wiltshire's premier luxury destinations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Banqueting Sous Chef: Luxury Event Kitchen Leader in Calne
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the hospitality industry, especially those who have experience in banqueting or event catering. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that might not be advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary skills! If you get the chance, bring a sample of your signature dish to interviews or networking events. It’s a tasty way to demonstrate your passion and creativity, and it’ll definitely leave a lasting impression.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings; reach out directly to venues you admire. Express your interest in working with them and ask if they have any upcoming opportunities. We love seeing candidates take the initiative!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented Sous Chefs who can lead our banqueting kitchen. By applying directly, you’ll ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
We think you need these skills to ace Banqueting Sous Chef: Luxury Event Kitchen Leader in Calne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for food and hospitality shine through. Share specific experiences that highlight your love for creating exceptional dining experiences, especially in high-pressure environments like banqueting.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Sous Chef. Highlight your relevant experience in 4-star or 5-star settings, focusing on your leadership skills and any innovative menu ideas you've implemented in the past.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your qualifications and achievements at a glance. We appreciate straightforward communication!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This ensures your application gets to the right people quickly and allows us to see your enthusiasm for joining our team at Bowood Estate.
How to prepare for a job interview at Bowood
✨Know Your Culinary Classics
Brush up on your knowledge of classic dishes and techniques, especially those relevant to banqueting and high-volume catering. Be ready to discuss how you would execute these dishes at a 4-star standard, showcasing your culinary skills and creativity.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your leadership approach and how you motivate and train your team. Share specific examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past, particularly in high-pressure situations or during large events.
✨Understand the Event Flow
Familiarise yourself with the typical flow of events in a banqueting setting. Be prepared to discuss how you would ensure seamless service and collaboration with front-of-house teams, highlighting your organisational and time-management skills.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Excellence
Express your enthusiasm for delivering exceptional dining experiences. Share your ideas for innovative menu items or improvements that could elevate the guest experience, showing that you’re not just a chef but a creative contributor to the overall event atmosphere.
