At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare and deliver high-quality food for a vibrant university community.
- Company: Join the dynamic catering team at Swansea University.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, discounts, wellness classes, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values your unique talents and ideas.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on campus dining with your creativity and passion for food.
- Qualifications: Experience in a busy kitchen and a passion for great-tasting food.
The predicted salary is between 27900 - 34100 £ per year.
We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:
- Christmas and New Year off
- Opportunity for overtime
- Contributory pension scheme
- Grow your career with our Career Pathways and My Learning programmes
- Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
- Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking. com and many more
- Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
- Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
- Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
- Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
- You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families
- Working 5 days out of 7
- Full time, 52 weeks per year
- About Swansea University Catering
Swansea University is a varied campus catering environment, serving students, staff, visitors, hospitality guests and events across multiple outlets and service styles.
The food offer continues to develop through student feedback, menu innovation, pop-ups, digital ordering, hospitality improvements and local Welsh product development.
As Sous Chef, you’ll be part of that journey — helping deliver food that is consistent, commercially aware, well presented and relevant to the university community.
Why Join Us?
This is a genuine opportunity to grow.
We’re looking for someone with vision — a Sous Chef who brings ideas, energy and pride to the role, and who wants to help show what food at Swansea University can be.
Bring your ideas, energy and passion for food to a Sous Chef role where you can make a real impact across Swansea University.
About the Role
Ready to bring your spark to university catering?
We’re looking for an ambitious Sous Chef to join our Chartwells team at Swansea University, helping deliver great-tasting food, brilliant service and fresh ideas across a busy campus operation.
This is a hands‑on role supporting both the Executive Chef and Head Chef across hospitality, counter service, events, student food concepts and day‑to‑day production.
It is ideal for someone who wants more than a standard kitchen role and is ready to help shape how food is presented and experienced on campus.
- What You’ll Be Doing
- Prepare and deliver high-quality food for students, staff, visitors, hospitality guests and events.
- Support the Executive Chef and Head Chef in running a consistent, well organised and customer‑focused food operation.
- Work across hospitality, counter service, events, retail‑style service, pop‑ups and student‑focused concepts.
- Help showcase the Swansea University food offer through strong presentation, standards and fresh thinking.
- Support menu planning, production, ordering, stock control, waste control and due diligence.
- Lead by example during service, supporting chefs, front‑of‑house colleagues and wider operational teams.
- Maintain excellent food safety, allergen, hygiene and health and safety standards.
- Spot opportunities to improve service flow, food quality and customer experience.
- Coach and support team members, helping create a positive kitchen culture.
About You
You’ll be a confident chef with strong standards, a positive attitude and the drive to keep developing.
You’ll understand the pace of a modern university catering environment, where hospitality, counter service, speed, standards and customer experience all matter.
- Experience in a busy kitchen, ideally as a Sous Chef or strong Chef de Partie ready for the next step.
- Strong chef training and a good understanding of food safety, allergens, stock control and kitchen due diligence.
- Experience in hospitality catering, delivered events or conference‑style service.
- Experience in counter service, retail‑style food service or high‑volume customer‑facing operations.
- A passion for great‑tasting food, presentation and consistent standards.
- Confidence working with chefs, front‑of‑house teams, managers, clients and customers.
- A calm, organised approach under pressure, with excellent timekeeping and reliability.
- Ambition to grow, progress and make the most of future opportunities within Compass Group.
- A full driving licence would be a bonus, but is not essential.
About Us
As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues.
Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.
Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers.
We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members.
We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!
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Sous Chef - Swansea employer: Compass Group UK & Ireland
Compass Group UK & Ireland is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Chertsey where you can truly make an impact on hospitality operations. With a strong focus on employee growth and a comprehensive benefits package, we foster a culture of excellence and teamwork, ensuring that our team members are recognised and rewarded for their contributions to delivering outstanding guest experiences.
Contact Details:
Compass Group UK & Ireland Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sous Chef - Swansea
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Compass Group UK & Ireland. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Compass Group UK & Ireland
Don't be shy about reaching out to Compass Group UK & Ireland directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef - Swansea
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Compass Group UK & Ireland and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group UK & Ireland
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
