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- Tasks: Support the Head Chef in running a dynamic kitchen and creating delicious meals.
- Company: Join Compass Group UK&I, a leader in Defence catering.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, career growth, and exclusive discounts on travel and groceries.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a professional kitchen while enjoying a great work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Sous Chef or Senior Chef de Partie is essential.
- Other info: Flexible shifts with opportunities for personal and professional development.
The predicted salary is between 13 - 16 £ per hour.
£16.65 per hour
37.5 hours per week (no spread-over)
1 in 3 weekends
Shift Patterns:
Early: 06:00 – 14:00
Late: 10:30 – 18:30
09:00 – 17:30
Location: Rock Barracks
Contract: 5 days out of 7
Weekends: 1 in 3
We are currently recruiting an experienced and motivated Sous Chef to join our catering team at Rock Barracks. This role offers an excellent work–life balance, structured hours with no spread-over, and superb career development opportunities within a professional Defence catering environment. As Sous Chef, you will support the Head Chef in the day-to-day running of the kitchen, helping to deliver consistently high-quality, nutritious meals while leading and developing the kitchen team.
Key Responsibilities:
- Support the Head Chef with daily kitchen operations
- Prepare, cook, and serve high-quality meals to service standards
- Supervise, motivate, and develop kitchen staff
- Maintain excellent food hygiene, safety, and cleanliness standards
- Assist with menu planning, stock control, ordering, and allergen management
- Ensure smooth and efficient service across all shift patterns
About You:
- Previous experience essential in a similar role (Sous Chef or Senior Chef de Partie)
- Culinary qualifications desirable (City & Guilds / NVQ or equivalent)
- Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills
- Passion for great food and quality service
- Flexible, reliable, and comfortable working early and late shifts
Benefits:
- Contributory pension scheme
- Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
- Digital GP and wider healthcare benefits
- Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
- Discounts on groceries from Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and others
- Up to 44% off cinema tickets
- Cash rewards on spend with participating brands
- Free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
- Discounts shared with friends and family
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 Woodbridge 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 Woodbridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow chefs, join culinary groups on social media, and attend local food events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨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 from other candidates when you’re chatting with potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to restaurants or catering companies you admire and express your interest in working with them. A little initiative can go a long way!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for talented Sous Chefs like you. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate and you’ll be one step closer to landing that dream job at Rock Barracks.
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef in Woodbridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Culinary Skills: When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your previous experience as a Sous Chef or Senior Chef de Partie. We want to see how you've prepared, cooked, and served high-quality meals in the past!
Leadership is Key: Don’t forget to mention your leadership skills! Talk about how you've motivated and developed kitchen staff before. We love to see candidates who can inspire their team to deliver great food and service.
Keep It Clean: Make sure to touch on your knowledge of food hygiene and safety standards. We take cleanliness seriously, so let us know how you maintain those high standards in the kitchen.
Apply Through Our Website: Finally, don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you started on this exciting journey with us at Rock Barracks.
How to prepare for a job interview at ESS – Defence, Energy and Government Services
✨Know Your Culinary Stuff
Brush up on your culinary skills and be ready to discuss your previous experience as a Sous Chef or Senior Chef de Partie. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've handled kitchen operations, menu planning, and staff supervision.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading a kitchen team, think of instances where you've motivated or developed staff. Highlight your communication and organisational skills, and be ready to explain how you maintain high standards in food hygiene and safety.
✨Be Ready for Shift Talk
Understand the shift patterns and be honest about your flexibility with early and late shifts. Show that you're comfortable with the hours and can manage the demands of the role while maintaining a great work-life balance.
✨Passion for Quality Service
Express your passion for great food and quality service during the interview. Share what motivates you in the kitchen and how you ensure that every meal meets high standards. This will resonate well with the values of the company.
