At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Head Chef in delivering high-quality food for events and dining.
- Company: Join the vibrant team at De Vere Wokefield, a leading hotel and events venue.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, gym access, free stays, and generous holiday entitlement.
- Other info: Great opportunities for career progression and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Elevate your culinary career while making an impact in a dynamic kitchen environment.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Sous Chef in high-volume settings and a passion for mentoring.
The predicted salary is between 40549 - 40549 £ per year.
About the Role
Are you a Sous Chef looking to progress your career within a high‑volume hotel and events operation? Join the brigade at De Vere Wokefield, where our kitchen operation delivers high‑volume conferences, events, weddings and all‑day dining across our restaurant, bar and lounge spaces. This role offers £40,549 per year plus excellent benefits such as free use of the gym, a complimentary 2‑night stay every year, additional overnight stays for £50 per room, time off over the Christmas period and a paid day off for your birthday in addition to your holiday entitlement.
Responsibilities
- Support the Head Chef in the day‑to‑day running of the kitchen, helping to deliver consistently high standards across all of our food outlets.
- Remain hands‑on during service while supporting stock control, food cost management and kitchen organisation.
- Play an important role in developing the brigade through coaching, mentoring and training junior chefs.
Qualifications
- Previous experience within a Sous Chef role in a high‑volume hotel, conference or banqueting environment.
- Proven experience delivering high‑quality food whilst maintaining consistency during busy service periods.
- A strong team player who leads by example and remains calm under pressure.
- Experience supporting stock management, ordering processes and food cost control.
- Excellent organisational skills with a keen eye for detail and high standards.
- A passion for coaching and developing junior chefs within the brigade.
- Strong understanding of food hygiene, health & safety and kitchen compliance standards.
- A positive, hands‑on and supportive approach within the kitchen team.
Pay & Benefits
- £40,549 per year plus a share of the Restaurant service charge.
- 31 days holiday each year (increasing annually up to 33 days).
- Annual complimentary 2‑night stay with dinner in a De Vere property of your choice, plus additional monetary rewards for reaching long service milestones.
- £50 colleague rates for overnight stays at De Vere properties and a 50% discount on Food & Beverage.
- Access to the Exclusively Yours Benefits portal for discounts on retail, travel and leisure activities.
- Excellent career progression opportunities, including access to Apprenticeship programmes and study support.
- Employee Assistance Programme, Hospitality Action, providing 24/7 health and wellbeing support, including free counselling.
- Company Life Assurance scheme.
- Monthly colleague recognition programme “You Are De Vere” and annual recognition event.
- Regular team appreciation events, including Christmas and Summer parties.
Location & Commute
De Vere Wokefield Estate is located just outside Reading, 10 minutes from Junction 11 of the M4, with fast and direct trains from London Paddington to Reading Train station.
Equal Opportunities
At De Vere, we warmly welcome everyone and foster a sense of belonging, where each person is valued and appreciated.
Sous Chef - Banqueting employer: De Vere Wokefield Estate
De Vere Wokefield is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and career development within a vibrant hotel and events environment. With generous benefits including a complimentary annual stay, extensive holiday entitlement, and a supportive work culture that encourages growth through coaching and training, this role as a Sous Chef offers a rewarding opportunity to thrive in a high-volume setting while being part of a dedicated team. Located conveniently near Reading, employees enjoy easy access to transport links and a welcoming atmosphere that values diversity and inclusion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sous Chef - Banqueting
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the hospitality industry, especially those who might know someone at De Vere Wokefield. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, bring a dish or two to an informal meet-up or event. This gives you a chance to showcase your culinary talents and personality, making you memorable to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out directly to the kitchen team at De Vere Wokefield and express your interest in joining their brigade. A personal touch can go a long way!
✨Tip Number 4
Keep learning! Stay updated on the latest culinary trends and techniques. Share your knowledge during interviews to show your passion for the industry and your commitment to growth within the kitchen.
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef - Banqueting
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your previous experience as a Sous Chef, especially in high-volume settings. We want to see how you've handled busy services and maintained quality, so don’t hold back on those details!
Be Yourself:Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone with a positive, hands-on approach, so share your passion for cooking and mentoring junior chefs. Authenticity goes a long way!
Tailor Your Application:Take the time to tailor your application to our specific role at De Vere Wokefield. Mention how your skills align with our needs, like stock management and food hygiene standards. It shows us you’ve done your homework!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it makes the process smoother for both of us!
How to prepare for a job interview at De Vere Wokefield Estate
✨Know Your Kitchen Basics
Brush up on your culinary skills and be ready to discuss your experience in high-volume settings. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've maintained quality during busy service periods.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Sous Chef, you'll need to lead by example. Think of instances where you've coached or mentored junior chefs and be ready to talk about how you handle pressure while keeping the team motivated.
✨Understand Stock Management
Familiarise yourself with stock control and food cost management. Be ready to discuss your experience with ordering processes and how you've contributed to maintaining kitchen organisation.
✨Emphasise Your Passion for Food Hygiene
Demonstrate your knowledge of food hygiene and health & safety standards. Prepare to discuss how you ensure compliance in the kitchen and why it's important to you and the team.
