Chef de Partie in Sheffield

We are currently recruiting for a Chef de Partie to join our team at one of our independent schools in Sheffield S10 3DH. Wilson Vale is an established, quality-led contract caterer. We work with amazing clients across the UK who place huge value on great food as a key part of their culture and community. We work in office restaurants, independent schools and at conference venues with the same high-end ethos throughout.

This is a full-time, permanent term-time only position working 40 hours per week. You'll work Monday to Friday from 6am to 2:30pm. The proposed start date for this role is the 27th August 2026.

As Chef de Partie, you will play a key role in delivering a fresh, high-quality food offer for pupils, staff and visitors, preparing nutritious and engaging dishes that reflect seasonal ingredients and the needs of the school community. Working closely with the Chef Manager and Assistant Chef Manager, you will help create handcrafted menus inspired by world cuisine, bringing together flavours, techniques and ingredients from diverse cultures to deliver a varied, exciting and memorable dining experience.

The food offer focuses on fresh, seasonal dishes prepared using quality ingredients and cooked throughout service. At the heart of the operation is a handcrafted deli and salad bar featuring build-your-own salads and sandwiches, jacket potatoes and daily homemade soups, complemented by a hot food offer including a meat main course, vegetarian main course, hot savoury snack, daily hot dessert and a selection of cold grab-and-go desserts. There is also a small breakfast service, although the primary focus of the catering team is delivering an exceptional lunch service for approximately 650 customers each day.

Working as part of a team of 12, you will be responsible for preparing and presenting food to the highest standards whilst supporting the smooth day-to-day running of the kitchen. You will assist with menu delivery, food production, stock control and maintaining excellent food safety and hygiene standards. You will also support hospitality events held throughout the school year, including governors' meetings, parent evenings and open days, where the preparation of high-quality sweet and savoury canapés, desserts and petit fours may be required. There is also an element of sports hospitality, including match teas served from the sports facilities, which may provide opportunities for additional overtime on Saturdays.

As our Chef de Partie, you will:

• Be passionate about preparing fresh, high-quality food and delivering an exceptional dining experience.
• Have strong culinary skills and experience working in a busy fresh-food kitchen environment.
• Enjoy working with a variety of world cuisines and be enthusiastic about learning new techniques and flavours.
• Have a good understanding of food hygiene, allergen management and health & safety, with an NVQ Level 2 in Professional Cookery, Food Safety qualification or equivalent desirable.
• Be highly organised, able to manage multiple tasks effectively and maintain high standards under pressure.
• Have excellent communication and teamwork skills, working collaboratively with colleagues across the catering operation.
• Take pride in food presentation and maintaining consistently high standards throughout service.
• Be proactive, reliable and able to work on your own initiative as well as part of a large team.
• Be flexible in supporting hospitality events, promotional activities and occasional weekend match-day catering requirements.
• Be committed to delivering outstanding customer service and creating a positive dining experience for pupils, staff and visitors.
• Be eligible to work in the UK.

Wilson Vale Perks:

• Our working hours are some of the best you'll find in catering - we are strong believers in work-life balance.
• Our working environment is fun and inspiring, with excellent career development opportunities.
• Craft Works - Free craft-focused career development training programme.
• Paid training bespoke to you.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme - your wellbeing is very important to us.
• Online employee benefits scheme - monetary savings on everyday items!
• Your Birthday off every year after 1 year’s service.
• Enhanced Maternity Pay.

Wilson Vale is an equal opportunities employer that strives to create an inclusive working environment for all. We are committed to supporting our people and do not tolerate discrimination of any kind. From each and every person in our catering teams, to our operations and central support teams - everyone has a voice.