At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team and create delicious meals for students and events.
- Company: Join Uppingham School, part of Compass Group, a leader in the catering industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, career growth, exclusive discounts, and wellness classes.
- Other info: Flexible hours with a supportive and diverse work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives through nutritious and innovative food.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Professional Cookery and experience in high-volume catering.
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:
- 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
- You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families
Working 5 out of 7 days.
The Senior Sous Chef is the second-in-command within the Hub Kitchen and plays a pivotal role in supporting the Head Chef with the leadership, organisation, and day-to-day management of one of the School's central production kitchens. This role is responsible for overseeing large-scale food production, maintaining exceptional culinary standards, leading and developing the kitchen team, and ensuring the efficient delivery of high-quality meals across multiple catering outlets, boarding houses and school events. The successful candidate will be an experienced chef leader with strong operational knowledge, excellent organisational skills, and a passion for delivering nutritious, innovative, and consistently high-quality food within a busy educational catering environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the Head Chef in the planning, preparation, and delivery of meals across the School's catering operation.
- Oversee daily food production to ensure quality, consistency, and timely service across all locations.
- Ensure all food is prepared, cooked, portioned, packaged, and presented to agreed specifications and standards.
- Assist with menu planning, recipe development, seasonal menu implementation, and continuous menu improvement.
- Lead the preparation of vegetarian, vegan, allergen-aware, cultural, and special dietary meals.
- Support the delivery of boarding house hospitality functions, formal dinners, school events, theme days, and special occasions.
- Ensure portion control, presentation standards, and dietary compliance are consistently maintained.
- Drive food quality and innovation whilst remaining mindful of budgetary requirements.
Leadership and Team Management
- Deputise for the Head Chef and assume overall responsibility for the Hub Kitchen in their absence.
- Lead, motivate, and supervise Sous Chefs, Chef de Parties, Commis Chefs, Apprentices, and Catering Assistants.
- Organise daily production schedules and allocate resources effectively.
- Provide coaching, mentoring, training, and performance support for kitchen staff.
- Conduct on-the-job training to ensure consistency of standards and working practices.
- Promote a positive, professional, and collaborative kitchen culture.
- Support recruitment, induction, and development of team members where required.
Hub Kitchen Operations
- Support the management of centralised food production for boarding houses, dining facilities, hospitality outlets, and school events.
- Coordinate food production schedules to meet service demands efficiently.
- Assist with stock management, purchasing, stock rotation, and inventory control.
- Monitor deliveries and supplier performance, ensuring quality standards are maintained.
- Support food cost control through effective planning, portion management, and waste reduction.
- Oversee production records, dispatch paperwork, temperature monitoring, and traceability requirements.
- Ensure all kitchen equipment is maintained and used safely and effectively.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives aimed at increasing operational efficiency and sustainability.
Health, Safety and Compliance
- Maintain the highest standards of food hygiene, cleanliness, and housekeeping throughout the Hub Kitchen.
- Ensure full compliance with HACCP procedures, food safety legislation, allergen regulations, and School policies.
- Monitor cooking, cooling, storage, transportation, and reheating procedures to ensure food safety standards are met.
- Complete and oversee all required safety records and documentation.
- Support internal audits, external inspections, and compliance reviews.
- Promote safe working practices and uphold the School's commitment to safeguarding, health, safety, and wellbeing.
Person Specification
- Essential Qualifications and Experience
- NVQ Level 3 Professional Cookery, City & Guilds, or equivalent professional qualification.
- Food Safety Level 2 Certificate.
- Significant experience within a Sous Chef, or equivalent leadership role.
- Experience working within a high-volume catering, central production, contract catering, education, healthcare, or similar environment.
- Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop large kitchen teams.
- Strong knowledge of food safety, allergen management, stock control, and budget management.
- Essential Skills and Attributes
- Excellent culinary and food production skills.
- Strong leadership and people management abilities.
- Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
- Ability to prioritise workloads and perform under pressure.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Commercial awareness and understanding of food cost management.
- Positive, flexible, and proactive approach.
- Commitment to delivering exceptional standards and customer satisfaction.
- Desirable
- Experience within an independent school or educational catering environment.
- Experience managing large-scale production kitchens.
- Knowledge of catering management systems and production planning software.
- Understanding of sustainability, waste reduction, and responsible sourcing initiatives.
- First Aid qualification.
Hours of Work
The role operates on a rota basis determined by operational requirements and may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and school events. This is a role with more sociable hours than your average chef's role.
Safeguarding Statement
Uppingham School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to enhanced DBS clearance and all relevant pre-employment checks.
Key Objective
To support the Head Chef in leading the Hub Kitchen operation, ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality, nutritious, and innovative food across Uppingham School whilst achieving the highest standards of food safety, customer service, operational efficiency, and team development.
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.
Senior Sous Chef - Uppingham in Rutland employer: Lodestone House
At Compass Group UK&I, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that values diversity and personal growth. As a Senior Sous Chef at Uppingham School, you'll benefit from a comprehensive rewards package, including career development programmes, exclusive discounts, and wellness initiatives, all while working in a supportive environment that prioritises high culinary standards and team collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Sous Chef - Uppingham in Rutland
✨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 Lodestone House. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Lodestone House
Don't be shy about reaching out to Lodestone House 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 Senior Sous Chef - Uppingham in Rutland
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 Lodestone House 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 Lodestone House
✨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!
