Chef Apprentice

Sodexo; Colchester; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free car parking

Job summary

Sodexo is offering an Apprentice Chef role at Merville Barracks, Colchester, as part of the Sodexo Apprentice Culinary Academy. This 35-hour-per-week programme includes a fully funded Level 2 Chef Apprenticeship and real job experience in a fast-paced kitchen with mentorship from expert chefs.

Open Recruitment Day is 6 November 2026; attendance is required to be considered. No previous kitchen experience is needed—just a passion for food and a can-do attitude to grow and progress.

Qualifications

• No prior kitchen experience required; genuine passion for food and a willingness to learn.
• Willingness to learn and work as part of a team to support kitchen operations.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to high standards in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Engage in a fully funded Level 2 Chef Apprenticeship and gain real kitchen experience.
• Work in a fast-paced, professional kitchen, learning from skilled chefs.
• Receive ongoing mentorship and training via the Sodexo Apprentice Culinary Academy.
• Participate in specialist culinary masterclasses and events to grow skills.
• Grow skills and shape your career path while contributing to the team.

Skills

Passion for food

Willingness to learn

Team player

Attention to detail

Good verbal communication

Education

Level 2 Chef Apprenticeship

Job description

• 35 hours per week
• 5 over 7 days per week
• £12.71 per hour
• Free Car parking

About the role:

Just Left School? Uni Not Your Thing? Ready to Cook Up a Career While Earning on the Job?

This is your moment! A game-changing opportunity has landed at Sodexo! one of the UK's most dynamic and diverse employers - and it could be the start of something BIG!

We're on the lookout for passionate, energetic, food-loving individuals to join us as Apprentice Chefs through our Sodexo Apprentice Culinary Academy. Whether you dream of running your own kitchen or creating dishes that make people smile, this is where your culinary career begins.

Sodexo is looking for a motivated Chef Apprentice to join our dynamic kitchen team at Merville Barracks, Circular Road South, Colchester, CO2 7UT

Important: Open Recruitment Day - 6 November 2026

All candidates must attend our open recruitment day on Friday 6 November 2026 to be considered for these Apprentice Chef positions.

The event will give you the opportunity to meet the team, find out more about the roles and contract, and learn about the opportunities available to develop and progress your career.

What you'll do:

• A fully funded Level 2 Chef Apprenticeship qualification
• Real job experience in a fast-paced, professional kitchen - learning from talented chefs
• Ongoing mentorship, training, and support via the Sodexo Apprentice Culinary Academy
• Specialist culinary masterclasses, events and competitions, including Plant Forward, Nutrition, and Chocolatier Masterclasses!
• A role that evolves with you. Grow your skills, shape your own journey, and build a career you're proud of

What we're looking for:

• A passion for food and a keen interest in a career as a chef
• Willingness to learn and work as part of a team
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to high standards
• Good verbal communication skills

Who is this for?

• Just finished school or college and not sure what's next?
• Uni not worked out, but you still want a qualification and career?
• Love food, cooking, and making people happy through great meals?
• Confident, curious, and keen to get stuck in with a can-do attitude?
• Ready to learn, grow, and take your skills to the next level?

No previous kitchen experience is needed - just a genuine passion for food and a willingness to learn.

About Sodexo

We're one of the UK's leading hospitality and facilities management providers, delivering services to schools, hospitals, defence sites, corporate offices and more. Through our Apprentice Culinary Academy, we invest in the next generation of chefs - and that could be you.

Join Sodexo and start your journey towards becoming a skilled chef in a company that values growth and development.

Find your flavour with Sodexo. Shape your future, shape lives.

Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we are in receipt of a high number of applications