Chef

OCS; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wagestream access

OCS Academy digital learning

Retail discounts via Hapi app

Flexible pay

Job summary

OCS UK & Ireland is seeking a dedicated Chef to join our Catering team on a 3 days on/3 days off pattern. You will prepare and cook seasonal dishes, manage stock and assist with budgets while maintaining high health and safety standards. You’ll work with clients and the on-site team to deliver quality service.

Ideally you hold City & Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 or Level 2 Diploma in Professional Cookery, and have excellent communication and customer service skills. Right to work in the UK is required.

Qualifications

• Right to work in the UK.
• Autonomous in approach but able to work well in a team.
• Ideal to have a food handling certificate; training can be provided.
• Background in contract catering preferred but not essential.
• City & Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 or Level 2 Diploma in Professional Cookery (or equivalent).
• Excellent knowledge of health and safety and food safety.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• A real passion for food and service, with ability to prepare seasonal dishes.

Responsibilities

• Ensuring food quality and taste are of the highest standard.
• Managing inventory of stock and ordering raw materials.
• Controlling budgets and minimising wastage.
• Maintaining health and hygiene in the kitchen.
• Prepare and cook for clients and customers.
• Supporting the site in the absence of the Senior Chef

Skills

Food preparation

Teamwork

Communication skills

Health and safety knowledge

Customer service

Willingness to learn

Education

City & Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 or Level 2 Diploma in Professional Cookery

Food handling certificate (preferred)

Job description

Working Pattern:

3 days on, 3 days off (33 hours over 3 days) - Primarily 7.30am to 7.30pm

We are currently recruiting for a dedicated and driven Chef to join our Catering team.

About The Role:

Working Pattern:

We are currently recruiting for a dedicated and driven Chef to join our Catering team.

Your key responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Ensuring food quality and taste are of the highest standard.
• Managing inventory of stock and ordering raw materials.
• Controlling budgets and minimising wastage.
• Maintaining health and hygiene in the kitchen.
• Prepare and cook for clients and customers.
• Supporting the site in the absence of the Senior Chef

The ideal candidate should meet the following criteria:

• Applicants must have the right to work in the UK
• Someone who is willing to attain the highest standards possible.
• We are looking for an employee that is autonomous in their approach but also happy to work well in a team.
• Ideally, you will have your food handling certificate – but don’t worry if you don’t, we can help you achieve this!
• A background in contract catering would be ideal but not essential.
• Ideally City & Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 or level 2 diploma in Professional Cookery (or equivalent), but we are happy to talk to those also qualifying for their professional qualifications.
• Excellent knowledge of health and safety and food safety.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills as you will be interacting with the customer base and onsite clients.
• A real passion for food and service, with the ability to prepare and cook good quality seasonal food.

About The Company:

OCS UK & Ireland is a leading facilities management company with 50,000+ colleagues and a turnover in excess of £2bn. We deliver innovative, award-winning services within facilities management, hard services, cleaning, security and catering.

Our mission is to make people and places the best they can be for our colleagues, customers and the communities we serve. Our commitment to doing business the right way is rooted in our TRUE values - Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment.

Why Work for OCS?

Award-Winning Employer

Ranked 36th on Glassdoor’s Best Companies to Work For 2025 — we value and motivate our people.

Digital Learning

The OCS Academy offers digital courses and resources to help you build skills and grow your career.

Retail Perks

With our Hapi app, you can gain access to exclusive discounts, rewards and wellbeing resources.

Professional Growth

600+ live learners across UK&I — Empowering colleagues with further development and qualifications!

Flexible Pay

Access a portion of earned wages before payday with our Wagestream App! (Contract Specific)

We are an equal opportunities employer and rely on a diverse workforce with a broad range of knowledge, skills, and backgrounds to deliver our goals. We offer an inclusive and welcoming environment and actively encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age.