2nd Chef

Aramark; Woking; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life assurance

Pension contributions

Generous holidays

Training and apprenticeships

Career progression

Job summary

Aramark UK is hiring a 2nd Chef at Army Training Centre Pirbright to join a busy catering team serving recruits. In this permanent, full-time role (37.5 hours), you’ll lead shifts in the Head Chef’s absence, support a high-performing kitchen, and ensure meals meet menu and allergen requirements while keeping service smooth.

You’ll manage production, control costs, receive deliveries, maintain stock, and uphold hygiene standards.

Qualifications

• A relevant culinary qualification.
• Experience in industrial catering.
• Ability to handle food costings and ensure budgets are met.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to perform under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen shifts in the Head Chef’s absence.
• Motivate, organise, and support the wider team to deliver smooth, efficient service.
• Prepare dishes to spec with full understanding of menu and allergen requirements.
• Manage production levels, minimise waste, place orders, and maintain accurate stock records.
• Receive and store deliveries using FIFO standards.
• Champion high cleaning and hygiene standards through regular deep cleans.
• Ensure staff are trained, confident, and set up to shine in their roles.

Skills

Industrial catering experience

Strong organisational skills

Budgeting/food costings

Allergen awareness

Education

Culinary qualification

Job description

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2nd Chef – Step into a Role That Truly Makes a Difference

Location: ATC Pirbright Camp, Woking, GU24 0QQ
Salary: £31,193.31 (£15.94 per hour)
Working pattern: Permanent, full-time, 37.5 hours/week | 5 days over 7 (including some weekends)
Shift pattern: Early shift 06:00 – 14:00, Late shift 11:30 – 19:30.

As a 2nd Chef at Army Training Centre Pirbright, you'll be part of a dedicated catering team serving the next generation of British Army soldiers. Working in a busy and rewarding environment, you'll help deliver quality meals that fuel recruits throughout their training, while developing your culinary skills within a professional and supportive team. If you're passionate about great food, teamwork and making a difference, this is an opportunity to be part of something bigger

Why this role is special

At ATC Pirbright, you’ll help lead a high performing kitchen where pace, teamwork, and creativity come together. You’ll take charge of daily operations when the Head Chef is offsite, producing meals and keeping service running smoothly. Organisation, calmness under pressure, and a passion for great food are key in a high-performing kitchen where pace, teamwork, and creativity come together.

Aramark UK is proudly redefining what hospitality careers can look like — creating real balance, genuine development opportunities, and a supportive culture across Defence, Judicial, Education, and private sector clients.

Security Requirements

Due to the nature of our work, you must:

• Have lived in the UK for the past 3 years
• Have the legal right to work in the UK
• Be able to pass full security vetting and an enhanced DBS check
• Free uniform and on-site parking
• 2 weeks leave during Christmas period, and 2 weeks leave during summer period
• Access to our Employee Benefits app: online GP, EAP, supermarket, and retail discounts
• Life assurance, pension contributions, generous holidays (with the option to buy more!)
• Fantastic training and development, including apprenticeships
• A culture that promotes from within — real career progression awaits

What you’ll do:

As our 2nd Chef, you’ll:

• Lead kitchen shifts in the Head Chef’s absence
• Motivate, organise, and support the wider team to deliver smooth, efficient service
• Prepare dishes to spec with full understanding of menu and allergen requirements
• Manage production levels, minimise waste, place orders, and maintain accurate stock records
• Receive and store deliveries using FIFO standards
• Champion high cleaning and hygiene standards through regular deep cleans
• Ensure staff are trained, confident, and set up to shine in their roles

You’ll thrive here if you have:

• UK resident for the past 3 years
• Legal right to work in the UK
• A relevant culinary qualification
• Experience in industrial catering.
• Ability to handle food costings and ensure budgets are met.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to perform under pressure

About Aramark UK

At Aramark UK, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is valued and empowered to thrive. As a proud Disability Confident and Forces Friendly employer, we actively encourage applications from individuals of all abilities and are dedicated to supporting employees with disabilities throughout their career journey.

We ensure our recruitment process is accessible, and reasonable adjustments are available at every stage, from application to interview and employment. If you require any accommodations or have any questions, please reach out to our recruitment team – [e-mail].

All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

If you are applying for this role and you already work for Aramark, you must notify your line manager before submitting your application.