Chef

ESS – Defence, Energy and Government Services; Nuneaton; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Contributory pension

Career Pathways

MyLearning programmes

Digital GP and wider healthcare

Travel discounts

Tesco/Sainsbury/Morrisons discounts

Cinema tickets discounts

Cash rewards

Wellness and mindfulness classes

Discounts for family and friends

Job summary

ESS – Defence, Energy and Government Services is seeking an ambitious Chef to join our Defence catering team on a full‑time basis (35 hours per week). You will prepare and serve high‑quality meals, contribute to menu development and maintain hygiene standards in busy kitchens.

You’ll work a 5‑out‑of‑7 pattern, with opportunities to progress through our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes, and benefit from a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• City & Guilds 706/1 & 2 or NVQ equivalent for food service.
• Experience supervising a kitchen team.
• Food Hygiene certificate and commitment to hygiene standards.

Responsibilities

• Prepare delicious, high‑quality meals for clients and customers.
• Oversee and implement menu changes to delight guests.
• Identify opportunities to improve food services.
• Listen to customer feedback and act to improve quality.
• Support creation of new menus and concepts.
• Represent Defence and maintain a positive brand image.
• Monitor inventories to keep kitchens well stocked.
• Oversee kitchen cleaning and hygiene compliance.
• Comply with Food Handling and Health & Safety regulations.

Skills

Food hygiene

Team supervision

Culinary excellence

Flexible working

Education

City & Guilds 706/1 & 2 or NVQ equivalent

Job description

We're currently recruiting an ambitious Chef to help us create exceptional food experiences for Defence on a full time basis contracted to 35 hours per week.

As a Chef, you will be responsible for preparing and serving the kind of food that truly brightens our clients' and customers' days, all within the market-leading food service company in the UK. You'll get given every opportunity to progress within a company that invests in its people, celebrates individuality, and rewards and recognises employees who go beyond the plate.

Here's an idea of what your shift patterns will be: 5 out of 7 days

Could you bring your passion and culinary skill to Defence? Here's what you need to know before applying:

Your Key Responsibilities Will Include

• Preparing delicious, high-quality food that delights our clients and customers
• Overseeing and implementing menu changes
• Identifying opportunities to improve our food services
• Listening and acting on customer feedback to consistently improve our food services
• Supporting with the creation of new menus and creative food concepts
• Representing Defence and maintaining a positive brand image
• Monitoring inventories to keep our kitchens well-stocked
• Overseeing kitchen cleaning responsibilities to maintain hygiene standards
• Complying with Food Handling, Hygiene and Health and Safety regulations

Our Ideal Chef Will

• Be passionate about great-tasting food and exceptional customer service
• Hold a City & Guilds 706/1 & 2 or NVQ equivalent
• Have experience supervising a team
• Have experience in a similar Chef role
• Hold a Food Hygiene certificate
• Have a flexible approach to working

Benefits

We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families

Please note: This role is contracted to 50.2 weeks per year

About Us

Part of Compass Group UK&I, ESS is the Defence, Government, and Energy services sector of Compass Group UK & Ireland. We support 250+ UK military establishments, high profile police, secure environments and government sites, along with a range of onshore and offshore facilities including platforms, drilling rigs, floatels and offices for the energy sector. We know that a friendly face makes all the difference, so we look for people who are passionate about delivering excellent customer service, at all levels, to join our teams.

Job Reference: com/0909/94519001/52724953/SU #Defence

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!