Chef

Sodexo; Thatcham; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mental health support

Employee Assistance Programme

24/7 virtual GP access

Discounts for you and your family

Retirement plan

Cycle to Work scheme

Paid volunteering day

Job summary

Sodexo is recruiting a Chef for a site in Thatcham to join a professional catering team delivering fresh, nutritious meals for military personnel. The role offers 37.5 hours per week with consistent shifts and a stable pattern.

You’ll work across a busy site, maintaining high hygiene and safety standards and supporting live cooking and hot plate service. The ideal candidate has catering qualifications and experience in a similar setting, with strong attention to detail and good IT literacy.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a similar catering or service industry role.
• A relevant catering qualification such as NVQ Level 2/3, City & Guilds 706/1 & 2, HND, BSc Catering, MHCIM or equivalent.
• CIEH Level 2 or equivalent, with a good understanding of health and safety.
• A strong eye for detail and a commitment to following procedures and maintaining high standards.
• Previous experience in a military or customer-facing environment would be an advantage, as would an IOSH qualification.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook, would be beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook and present food to the required menu, recipe and quality standards, ensuring correct temperatures and food safety checks are maintained.
• Support food service, including hot plate and live cooking, as well as the preparation, storage and disposal of food.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, personal hygiene, uniform, PPE and housekeeping across all areas of responsibility.
• Ensure all equipment, materials and supplies are used responsibly, and report accidents, near misses, faults or non-conformances promptly.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues, managers, customers and clients, attending team briefings, meetings and completing effective handovers.
• Follow all company policies, service standards, working instructions and legislative requirements, while continuing to develop skills through training and performance reviews.

Skills

Catering experience

Education

NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent

City & Guilds 706/1 & 2, HND, BSc Catering, MHCIM or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

• 37.5 hours per week
• 5 days out of 7
• Various Shift Patterns
• 06:30 -14:30 and 11:00 - 19:00
• £14.77 per hour

Check your local transport links here: Plan Your Journey | Traveline - the destination you should input is RG18 9TP

Are you an experienced Chef looking for a full-time role with consistent hours and a great work-life balance?

Join Sodexo as a Chef at our site in Thatcham, where you'll be part of a professional catering team providing fresh, nutritious and high-quality meals for military personnel.

With a 37.5-hour contract, this is a great opportunity to put your culinary skills to good use while enjoying a stable working pattern and being part of a supportive team.

You'll take pride in preparing delicious, nutritious meals to a high standard, while maintaining excellent food hygiene and safety standards. You'll also have the opportunity to develop your skills and build your career within a large, established organisation.

Whether you're an experienced Chef looking for a better work-life balance or you're looking to take the next step in your catering career, we'd love to hear from you!

What you'll do:

• Prepare, cook and present food to the required menu, recipe and quality standards, ensuring correct temperatures and food safety checks are maintained.
• Support food service, including hot plate and live cooking, as well as the preparation, storage and disposal of food.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, personal hygiene, uniform, PPE and housekeeping across all areas of responsibility.
• Ensure all equipment, materials and supplies are used responsibly, and report accidents, near misses, faults or non-conformances promptly.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues, managers, customers and clients, attending team briefings, meetings and completing effective handovers.
• Follow all company policies, service standards, working instructions and legislative requirements, while continuing to develop skills through training and performance reviews.

What you bring:

• Experience working in a similar catering or service industry role.
• A relevant catering qualification, such as NVQ Level 2/3, City & Guilds 706/1 & 2, HND, BSc Catering, MHCIM or equivalent.
• CIEH Level 2 or equivalent, with a good understanding of health and safety.
• A strong eye for detail and a commitment to following procedures and maintaining high standards.
• Previous experience in a military or customer-facing environment would be an advantage, as would an IOSH qualification.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook, would be beneficial.

What we offer:

Working with Sodexo is more than just a job; it’s an opportunity to be part of a team where your work has a genuine purpose. You’ll be supported by your colleagues, have access to a range of employee benefits and have opportunities to develop your career within a large organisation.

In addition, we offer:

• Mental health & wellbeing support
• Employee Assistance Programme providing personal, legal, and financial advice
• 24/7 virtual GP access and lifestyle rewards
• Discounts for you and your family
• Financial wellbeing tools and retirement plan
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Paid volunteering day

Join Sodexo as a Chef and become part of a team delivering an important catering service for the Ministry of Defence. If you’re looking for full-time hours, established shift patterns and the opportunity to use your cooking skills in a supportive team environment, we’d love to hear from you!