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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
Benefits
- 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
- Un‐wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
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 Fochriw employer: ESS – Defence, Energy and Government Services
Contact Detail:
ESS – Defence, Energy and Government Services Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sous Chef in Fochriw
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the kitchen culture! Before your interview, check out the company’s social media and website. This will help you understand their culinary style and values, so you can show how you fit right in.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your cooking skills! If you’re applying for a Sous Chef position, be ready to showcase your culinary techniques. Consider preparing a signature dish that highlights your skills and creativity to impress during any practical assessments.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with other chefs! Join culinary groups or forums where you can connect with professionals in the industry. They might have insider tips on job openings or even recommend you for positions.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it easy for you to find and apply for the Sous Chef role at RAF Valley. Plus, you’ll get all the latest updates on your application status directly from us.
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef in Fochriw
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your passion for cooking and developing others shine through. We want to see that you’re not just in it for the job, but that you genuinely care about food quality and team growth.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Sous Chef role. Highlight your relevant experience, especially in leading teams and maintaining culinary standards. We love seeing how your past roles have prepared you for this exciting opportunity!
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 skills and experiences at a glance. We appreciate straightforward communication!
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 the role. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate!
How to prepare for a job interview at ESS – Defence, Energy and Government Services
✨Know Your Culinary Stuff
Brush up on your culinary techniques and be ready to discuss your experience in detail. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've maintained high standards in previous roles, especially when it comes to food quality and presentation.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves training and developing junior staff, think of examples where you've successfully led a team or mentored someone. Highlight your communication style and how you foster a positive kitchen environment.
✨Understand the Shift Patterns
Familiarise yourself with the shift patterns and meal service times mentioned in the job description. Show that you're flexible and can handle the demands of early and late shifts while maintaining efficiency in service.
✨Emphasise Food Safety Knowledge
Be ready to discuss your understanding of food safety, hygiene, and health & safety standards. Mention any relevant qualifications or training you've had, as this will demonstrate your commitment to maintaining a safe kitchen environment.
