At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead kitchen operations and create delicious meals for students and events.
- Company: Join the supportive team at St Leonards School, part of Sodexo.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, competitive pay, and no unsociable hours.
- Other info: Opportunities for career progression and personal development await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while cooking with purpose in a vibrant environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in large-scale cooking and strong leadership skills required.
We are looking for an experienced Sous Chef to join our dedicated kitchen team at St Leonards School, St Andrews. This is a full-time, 52-week position, created to support the increasing demands of school catering, functions, and holiday lets, while providing consistent cover throughout the year.
You will work closely with the Executive Chef, leading daily kitchen operations and ensuring the highest standards of food production, presentation, hygiene, and safety. When required, you will take full responsibility for kitchen management and food service delivery in the Executive Chef’s absence.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist the Executive Chef in the planning, preparation, and delivery of all menus.
- Maintain food quality and presentation standards in line with Sodexo and client expectations.
- Ensure full compliance with all food hygiene, allergen, and safety regulations (Food Safety Act 1990).
- Supervise and motivate kitchen staff, ensuring consistent standards and efficient teamwork.
- Support special events and school functions, occasionally outside normal working hours.
- Enforce cleaning schedules and kitchen hygiene protocols.
- Manage allergen awareness and training across the kitchen team.
- Maintain a professional standard of dress, conduct, and communication at all times.
- Monitor food stock, deliveries, and wastage in line with budget and sustainability goals.
- Contribute to continuous improvement in quality, safety, and client satisfaction.
What We’re Looking For
Essential Skills & Experience
- Experience cooking on a large scale (100–1300 students).
- Prior supervisory or line management experience in a professional kitchen.
- Strong knowledge of fresh produce, ingredients, and modern cooking techniques.
- NVQ Level 2 and Level 2 Food Safety Certificate (or equivalent).
- Understanding of food hygiene, allergens, and health & safety regulations.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure and lead by example.
- Excellent communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
- At least one year of hands-on professional cooking experience.
Desirable
- Proven experience managing client relationships.
- Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and motivate a team.
- Experience within the education or contract catering sector.
This full-time, year-round Sous Chef position offers:
- Consistent cover across all services, including during lets and events.
- Reduced reliance on overtime and temporary staff.
- Improved service quality and team wellbeing.
- Greater flexibility for the Executive Chef to focus on planning and compliance.
What We Offer
- Free meals while on duty
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- No unsociable hours – public holidays and Christmas off!
- Full uniform and comprehensive training provided
- Access to wellbeing and mental health support
- Employee Assistance Programme (legal, financial, and personal support)
- Discounts, cashback schemes, and Sodexo benefits
- Career progression, learning, and apprenticeship opportunities
- Cycle to Work Scheme and volunteering opportunities
Join Us
At Sodexo, we believe everyone deserves a place to belong. This isn’t just a job — it’s an opportunity to lead with passion and cook with purpose. If you’re ready to make a real impact in a supportive, values-driven team, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and help us create a brighter, tastier future at St Leonards School!
Please note: Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding children. All roles require pre-employment screening, including a PVG check. Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if a high volume of applications is received.
Sous Chef employer: Sodexo Group
At Sodexo, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and values-driven work environment at St Leonards School in St Andrews. Our Sous Chef position not only provides competitive pay and benefits, including free meals and comprehensive training, but also fosters employee growth through career progression opportunities and a commitment to wellbeing. Join our dedicated kitchen team and enjoy a fulfilling role that allows you to lead with passion while making a meaningful impact in the lives of students and the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sous Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the kitchen team before your interview! If you can, pop by St Leonards School and chat with the staff. This shows you're genuinely interested and helps you get a feel for the vibe.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary skills! If you get the chance, bring a dish or two to share during your interview. It’s a tasty way to demonstrate your cooking prowess and creativity.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your food safety knowledge! Be ready to discuss how you ensure hygiene and safety in the kitchen. This is crucial for the role, and it’ll show you’re serious about maintaining standards.
✨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 take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience in large-scale cooking and any supervisory roles you've held. We want to see how your background aligns with the demands of our kitchen at St Leonards School.
Be Specific About Skills:Don’t just list your skills; give us examples! Talk about your knowledge of fresh produce, modern cooking techniques, and how you ensure food safety. This helps us understand how you can contribute to our team.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure your application speaks directly to the role of Sous Chef. Use the job description as a guide to tailor your responses, showing us that you’re not just sending a generic application but are genuinely interested in this position.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and get back to you quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sodexo Group
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the types of ingredients and cooking techniques mentioned in the job description. Be ready to discuss your experience with fresh produce and large-scale cooking, as this will show your understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've supervised or motivated a kitchen team in the past. Highlight any specific situations where you led by example, especially under pressure, as this is crucial for a Sous Chef position.
✨Understand Food Safety Regulations
Brush up on food hygiene, allergen management, and health & safety regulations. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance in your kitchen, as this is a key responsibility in the role.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Think about potential scenarios you might face in the role, such as handling a busy service or managing a kitchen crisis. Practising your responses will help you demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to work effectively under pressure.
