At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team to create exceptional dining experiences for events.
- Company: Join Bowood Estate, a luxury destination known for its hospitality and stunning countryside.
- 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 high-profile event setting.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Sous Chef in a high-volume environment and strong leadership skills.
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 includes 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.
Sous Chef - Kitchen 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 Sous Chef, you will enjoy a range of benefits including 31 days of annual leave, free meals on duty, and access to our stunning facilities, all while working in a supportive team environment that fosters professional growth and development. Located in the picturesque Wiltshire countryside, our estate provides a unique opportunity to be part of memorable events and deliver outstanding culinary experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sous Chef - Kitchen in Calne
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow chefs, event planners, and anyone in the hospitality scene. Attend local food events or workshops to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary skills! Consider hosting a pop-up dinner or sharing your creations on social media. This not only showcases your talent but also gets you noticed by potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings. Reach out directly to restaurants or hotels you admire, like Bowood Estate, and express your interest. A personal touch can make all the difference.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love hearing from passionate chefs who are ready to bring their creativity to our kitchen.
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef - Kitchen 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 weddings and corporate events.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Sous Chef. Highlight your relevant experience in banqueting and event catering, and don’t forget to mention any culinary qualifications or certifications you have. We want to see how you can bring your skills to our team!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate a well-structured application that showcases your key achievements and skills without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This ensures your application gets to the right place quickly and allows us to process it efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Bowood Estate!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bowood
✨Know Your Culinary Stuff
Brush up on your culinary techniques and be ready to discuss your experience with high-volume event catering. Be prepared to share specific examples of dishes you've created or events you've managed, showcasing your creativity and attention to detail.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Sous Chef, you'll need to lead a team effectively. Think of examples where you've motivated or trained kitchen staff, and be ready to explain how you handle conflicts or challenges in a busy kitchen environment.
✨Understand the Business Side
Familiarise yourself with food cost control and kitchen financials. Be ready to discuss how you've managed stock control and maintained GP targets in previous roles, as this will demonstrate your operational excellence.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Prepare for questions that assess your problem-solving skills in a high-pressure environment. Think about how you'd handle a last-minute menu change or a sudden increase in guest numbers, and articulate your thought process clearly.
