At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us as a Sous Chef, preparing delicious meals for students and staff daily.
- Company: Thomas Franks is a unique catering business focused on fresh food and exceptional service.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, discounts, enhanced leave, and excellent training opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team in a vibrant school environment with great career progression.
- Qualifications: Experience in food preparation and a food hygiene certificate preferred; must be reliable and adaptable.
- Other info: This role offers a term-time contract with free parking and a supportive workplace culture.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 35000 £ per year.
Job Description
Sous Chef Chipping Norton Contract: Full Time, Permanent
Salary: £31,000
Hours: 40h per week
A co-educational private day and boarding school for children aged 11-18, located near the village of Kingham in Oxfordshire. Catering for 465 students and teachers daily. We offer a core feeding of breakfast club, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, after school club, supper and weekend feeding. There is some hospitality daily. This is a term-time plus contract, working 48 weeks a year and operates 7 days a week. Additional benefit to this location is free parking on site.
We currently have an excellent opportunity for a creative and effective Sous Chef to join the team at one of our fabulous locations in Chipping Norton.
Key responsibilities:
- Prepare all Food service areas for the day's business relating to that meal service.
- Ensure that the prompt service of all meals and service at all times to the company / clients standards.
- To ensure that the methods of preparation and presentation comply with company expectations.
- Prepare, set-up, serve, clear, clean and store away any food, beverage or equipment required for daily service.
- Prepare all food for sale/service, following good hygiene and safety practices and to the standard specified.
- Restock and replenish stocks and consumables as required during service periods, pre-empt customer needs and achieve optimum customer service delivery.
- Keep the Front of house informed of any food running out and pre-empt any delays in customer waiting.
- Complete all / any necessary cleaning/hygiene duties.
- Serve customers, visitors and guest in line with company and client service standards and expectations.
- Empty, remove and store rubbish / recycle rubbish in the correct place.
- To assist in the preparation and placing of orders.
- Ensure that the kitchen operates in line with current health & safety regulations.
- To ensure all area in the Kitchen are left in a clean state at the end of each shift.
- To attend meetings and training courses as required.
- Notify the head chef of stock movements to ensure all products are ordered for forthcoming menus.
General Responsibilities:
- Ensure attendance to all staff meetings as required.
- Ensure that all policies and procedural requirements of both legislation and company are adhered to in order to promote a professional and flexible approach at all times.
- Ensure that the correct uniform is worn neatly and cleanly at all times.
- To ensure personal presentation is of the highest standard at all times.
- Ensure all necessary checks are carried out in the service and associated areas for food temperatures.
- Carry out all reasonable request of the management.
- As required provide cover for other staff during periods of absence.
- Be conscientious with regard to Health & Safety and report any hazards to the Head Chef or Location manager.
Key personal skills and attributes:
- Team working abilities, Listening skills, the ability to work on own initiative, impeccable personal presentation, hygiene and behaviour to others, Food hygiene certificate preferred.
- The ability to be adaptable and be flexible as necessary. Reliable, Honest and able to demonstrate an open attentive approach to customer service.
- Willingness to learn new skills and take some responsibility.
- Ability to manage some moderately heavy lifting, carrying, and pushing.
Knowledge / competencies:
- Ability to demonstrate reasonable / good understanding and use of verbal English.
- Ability to demonstrate reasonable / good standard of written English and reading skills.
- Similar experience of customer and / or food preparation environment is preferred.
Benefits
- Wider wallet scheme (discounts at major retailers, restaurants, gyms etc).
- Free meals on duty
- Volunteers leave – up to one day per year.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoptive leave.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Recommend a friend bonus.
- Unrivalled individual training and development.
- Well established apprenticeship programme.
- Team & company social events.
- Employee assistance programme.
- Workplace pension.
- Excellent career progression within a leading independent contract caterer.
About us
Thomas Franks is a founder led, fresh food catering business with a focus on excellence and service delivered with individuality, passion and style. We are unique in every approach and our clients, and our people are paramount to our daily success.
Disclaimer
All applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have the Right to Work in the UK to be considered for this role.
An enhanced DBS, Identity & reference checks (covering the last five years) will form part of the selection process. As an organisation using the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) Disclosure service to assess applicants' suitability for positions of trust, Thomas Franks Ltd complies fully with the DBS Code of Practice and undertakes to treat all applicants for positions fairly. We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and undertake not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure based on conviction or other information revealed. However, for any post in a school please be aware that any application is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such any criminal conviction, caution or bind-over must be declared.
Diversity and Inclusion at Thomas Franks
We actively encourage applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds and continue to develop a culture of growth and inclusion and would like to invite applications from groups who are currently under-represented, because we believe greater diversity leads to exceptional results and provides a better working life.
Sous Chef employer: Thomas Franks Ltd. Careers
Contact Detail:
Thomas Franks Ltd. Careers Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sous Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific dietary needs and preferences of a school environment. Understanding how to cater for children and staff, including any allergies or dietary restrictions, will set you apart as a candidate who is ready to meet the unique challenges of this role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your creativity in food presentation and menu planning. Since the role requires a creative Sous Chef, think about how you can demonstrate your ability to create appealing and nutritious meals that cater to a diverse group of students.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight your experience in managing kitchen operations efficiently. Be prepared to discuss how you've previously ensured compliance with health and safety regulations, as well as how you’ve maintained high standards of hygiene and cleanliness in a busy kitchen environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with professionals in the catering industry, especially those who have experience in educational settings. Engaging with others in the field can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to recommendations that could strengthen your application.
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure to customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in food preparation and customer service. Emphasise any previous roles as a Sous Chef or in similar environments, showcasing your skills in team working, hygiene practices, and adaptability.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for cooking and your understanding of the role. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to manage kitchen operations, maintain high standards of hygiene, and deliver excellent customer service.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, clearly outline your key personal skills such as teamwork, listening abilities, and reliability. Also, mention any food hygiene certifications you possess, as these are preferred for the role.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which is crucial in the culinary field.
How to prepare for a job interview at Thomas Franks Ltd. Careers
✨Show Your Culinary Passion
During the interview, express your love for cooking and food preparation. Share specific examples of dishes you enjoy creating and how you stay updated with culinary trends. This will demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment to the role.
✨Highlight Teamwork Skills
As a Sous Chef, you'll be working closely with a team. Be prepared to discuss your experiences in collaborative environments. Share instances where you successfully worked with others to achieve a common goal, showcasing your ability to communicate and support your colleagues.
✨Emphasise Hygiene and Safety Knowledge
Given the importance of health and safety in a kitchen, be ready to talk about your understanding of food hygiene practices. Mention any relevant certifications you hold and provide examples of how you've implemented safety measures in previous roles.
✨Prepare Questions About the Role
Demonstrate your interest in the position by preparing thoughtful questions about the kitchen operations, menu planning, and team dynamics. This shows that you're not only focused on getting the job but also genuinely interested in contributing to the success of the team.