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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team, support menu planning, and ensure high culinary standards.
- Company: Join Holroyd Howe, a top UK contract caterer for independent schools.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, free meals, and discounts on high street shops.
- Why this job: Perfect for food lovers seeking work-life balance and a chance to inspire young minds.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Sous Chef, knowledge of cooking techniques, and strong teamwork skills required.
- Other info: Term-time only role with hours from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Company Description
Location: RGS Prep, Guildford, GU1 2EL
Hourly Rate: £16.00 per hour
Working Hours: 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Benefits:
- 28 days holiday
- 3 volunteering days
- 3 days grandparent leave
- 24 weeks' enhanced maternity leave
- Bespoke training and development opportunities
- Pension and life insurance
- Discounts via Perkbox app (high street shops, holidays & cinema)
- Access to a wellbeing hub and employee assistance programme
- Free meals while at work
- Career development opportunities
- HIT Apprenticeships available for all experience levels
About the Role:
Are you an experienced and innovative Sous Chef with a passion for delivering high-quality dining experiences? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to lead and inspire a kitchen team at RGS Prep, Guildford, a prestigious independent school.
As Sous Chef, you will play a key role in delivering exceptional food service, supporting the Head Chef in menu planning, kitchen operations, and maintaining high culinary standards. You will be part of a fast-paced, professional environment catering for boys aged 3-11 years, providing nutritious and delicious meals throughout the school day.
With a term-time schedule and working hours of 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM, this role offers an excellent work-life balance, allowing you to focus on your passion for cooking while maintaining personal time outside of work.
Job Description
Key Responsibilities:
- Support the Head Chef in all aspects of kitchen operations, including menu planning, food preparation, and stock control
- Assist in the preparation and service of breakfast and lunch, ensuring meals are well-balanced, appealing, and meet dietary requirements
- Maintain high standards of food hygiene and kitchen safety in line with company policies and food regulations
- Train and supervise kitchen staff to ensure smooth daily operations and a positive working environment
- Help to manage stock levels and control food costs while minimizing waste
- Support the preparation of hospitality events and school functions as required
Qualifications:
- Proven experience working as a Sous Chef or similar role
- Knowledge of various cooking techniques and cuisines
- Strong understanding of food safety and health & safety practices
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment
- Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills
- Strong communication and teamwork abilities
Additional Information:
Holroyd Howe is one of the UK's leading contract caterers, providing fresh innovative food services solely to independent schools and colleges. We are a team of experienced professionals who tailor our catering service provision specifically to suit children of all ages in order to meet the bespoke requirements of each school.
To provide our teams with the right skills to succeed in their jobs, we invest in their training and development. Our exceptional teams of seasoned specialists customise our catering services to fit children of all ages and satisfy the unique needs of our clients.
We pride ourselves on:
- Sustainability: Sustainability is at the heart of our thinking; always mindful of the ethics of our sourcing and how we prepare our meals.
- Nutrition: We take nutrition seriously and understand the impact a healthy diet has on the fundamental years of development. Meals are always freshly prepared from scratch and packed with nutritious ingredients.
- Food Innovation: We offer a wide portfolio of training opportunities and experiences, which attracts chefs who are passionate about culinary excellence and menu innovation to our team.
From tasting tables, theme days and food theatre, to chef demonstrations and supplier showcases, we create engaging and fun dining experiences for our students. We work together to make mealtimes exploratory, quirky, and fun for our pupils, helping them build strong and healthy relationships with food.
Holroyd Howe is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all employees to share this commitment. All roles within Holroyd Howe are regarded as regulated activity, it is an offence to apply for a role in regulated activity if you are barred from working with children, therefore we will require an Enhanced DBS which includes a Barred List check for all successful applicants. We will also require shortlisted applicants to provide appropriate information regarding any criminal offences and shortlisted applicants will be subject to an online search of public available information on suitability to work with children.
This appointment is offered on the return of satisfactory professional references.
Sous Chef employer: WSH Group
Contact Detail:
WSH Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sous Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific dietary requirements and preferences of children aged 3-11. Understanding how to create appealing and nutritious meals for this age group will set you apart as a candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your ability to work in a fast-paced environment by sharing examples from your previous roles. Highlight any experience you have in managing kitchen operations or training staff, as these are key responsibilities for the Sous Chef position.
✨Tip Number 3
Emphasise your passion for food innovation and sustainability. Discuss any creative menu ideas or sustainable practices you've implemented in past roles, as this aligns with Holroyd Howe's values.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with professionals in the catering industry, especially those who have experience in educational settings. Building connections can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to recommendations for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience as a Sous Chef or in similar roles. Emphasise your skills in menu planning, food preparation, and team management, as these are key responsibilities for the position.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for cooking and your commitment to delivering high-quality dining experiences. Mention specific examples of how you've maintained high culinary standards and contributed to a positive kitchen environment.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Include any relevant qualifications or certifications related to food safety, health & safety practices, and culinary techniques. This will demonstrate your expertise and understanding of the industry standards expected in this role.
Showcase Your Teamwork Skills: Since the role involves training and supervising kitchen staff, be sure to mention your teamwork abilities and any previous experience leading a kitchen team. Highlight how you foster a positive working environment and support your colleagues.
How to prepare for a job interview at WSH Group
✨Showcase Your Culinary Skills
Be prepared to discuss your cooking techniques and experiences in detail. Bring examples of dishes you've created or worked on, and be ready to explain how you ensure high culinary standards and nutrition in your meals.
✨Demonstrate Team Leadership
As a Sous Chef, you'll need to lead and inspire your kitchen team. Share examples of how you've trained or supervised staff in the past, and highlight your ability to maintain a positive working environment under pressure.
✨Understand the Importance of Nutrition
Since you'll be catering for young children, it's crucial to show your understanding of nutrition and dietary requirements. Be ready to discuss how you create balanced meals that are both appealing and healthy.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about how you'd handle specific situations in the kitchen, such as managing stock levels or dealing with food safety issues. Think through your responses ahead of time to demonstrate your problem-solving skills.
