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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team and create delicious meals for service personnel.
- Company: Join Compass Group UK & I, a leader in Defence catering.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, discounts, wellness classes, and career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food quality while developing your culinary skills.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Sous Chef or strong Senior Chef de Partie required.
- Other info: Flexible shifts with a supportive work-life balance and a focus on team development.
The predicted salary is between 13 - 16 £ per hour.
Location: RAF Valley
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Working Pattern: 5 days over 7
Pay: £16.15 per hour
Shift Patterns:
- Early Shift: 05:00 - 13:30
- Late Shift: 13:00 - 21:00
Meal Service Times:
- Breakfast: 06:00 - 08:30
- Lunch: 11:30 - 13:30
- Evening Meal: 17:30 - 20:30
Catering for up to 50 Service Personnel per day.
We are recruiting a passionate and driven Sous Chef to join our team at RAF Valley. This is an exciting opportunity within the Defence sector, offering a supportive environment where you can make a real impact on food quality, team development, and operational standards. This role will see you grow and develop junior members of the kitchen team, with a strong focus on upskilling, mentoring, and driving culinary standards to the next level. The site benefits from a reduced workload over the Christmas period, supporting a healthy work-life balance.
Key Responsibilities:
- Support the Head Chef in the day-to-day running of a busy kitchen
- Prepare, cook, and serve high‑quality, nutritious meals across all services
- Lead, train, and develop junior kitchen staff, fostering skills and confidence
- Maintain and improve culinary standards, presentation, and consistency
- Supervise a team of 20, with 6 direct reports
- Assist with menu planning, stock control, ordering, and allergen management
- Ensure full compliance with food safety, hygiene, and Health & Safety standards
- Deliver efficient service across all shift patterns
About You:
- Previous experience essential in a similar role (Sous Chef or strong Senior Chef de Partie)
- Culinary qualifications desirable (City & Guilds / NVQ or equivalent)
- Passionate about developing people and raising food standards
- Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills
- Flexible, reliable, and comfortable working early and late shifts
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:
- Contributory pension scheme
- Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning 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
- Unwind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
- You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families
About Us:
Part of Compass Group UK & I, ESS is the Defence, Government, and Energy services sector of Compass Group UK & Ireland. We support 250+ UK military establishments, high profile police, secure environments and government sites, along with a range of onshore and offshore facilities including platforms, drilling rigs, floatels and offices for the energy sector. We know that a friendly face makes all the difference, so we look for people who are passionate about delivering excellent customer service, at all levels, to join our teams.
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!
Sous Chef in Valley employer: Compass Group
Contact Detail:
Compass Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sous Chef in Valley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the culinary world, whether it's through social media or local events. You never know who might have a lead on that perfect Sous Chef position at RAF Valley.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, create a portfolio of your best dishes or even a short video showcasing your cooking techniques. This can really set you apart when you're chatting with potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common culinary questions and scenarios. Think about how you would handle kitchen challenges or mentor junior staff. Confidence is key, so let your passion for food shine through!
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team at Compass Group UK & I.
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef in Valley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for cooking and developing others shine through. We want to see how excited you are about the role and how you can contribute to our kitchen team at RAF Valley.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience, especially in similar roles. We love seeing specific examples of how you've led teams or improved culinary standards, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and experience without wading through unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group
✨Know Your Culinary Basics
Brush up on your culinary techniques and food safety standards before the interview. Be ready to discuss your experience with meal preparation, cooking methods, and how you maintain hygiene in the kitchen. This will show that you're not just passionate but also knowledgeable.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Sous Chef, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've trained or mentored junior staff in the past. Highlight any specific instances where your leadership made a difference in the kitchen, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Understand the Menu and Service Times
Familiarise yourself with the meal service times and the types of meals served at RAF Valley. Being able to discuss how you would approach menu planning and cater to the needs of service personnel will demonstrate your commitment and understanding of the role.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about how you'd handle various kitchen scenarios, such as managing a busy service or dealing with dietary restrictions. Think through your responses ahead of time, focusing on your problem-solving skills and ability to maintain high culinary standards under pressure.
