Chef de Partie

Downing College; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Downing College in Cambridge is seeking a Chef de Partie to join a friendly team of chefs. You will prepare a range of high-quality dishes, including fine dining, and maintain high standards of presentation.

The role is full-time with a 37.5-hour week on a two-week rota that includes evenings and weekends. A £1,000 sign-on bonus applies after probation, and benefits are listed in the attached document.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2/3 in Catering or equivalent.
• Certificate in Food Hygiene.
• Relevant experience gained in a busy commercial environment.
• Excellent culinary skills.
• Good understanding of current Food Safety and Health & Safety legislation.

Responsibilities

• Prepare high-quality dishes for a range of diners, including fine dining.
• Work to the highest standards of food preparation and presentation.
• Learn and apply additional techniques from senior chefs.
• Adhere to Food Safety and Health & Safety regulations.

Skills

Excellent culinary skills

Good understanding of Food Safety & H&

Relevant experience in busy commercial

Education

NVQ Level 2/3 in Catering or equivalent

Certificate in Food Hygiene

Job description

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Information for the role of Chef de Partie

Salary £33,995.43 per annum (plus £1,000 sign-on payment)

Full-time, 37.5 hours per week

(working on a 2-week shift rota, including weekends and evenings)

An excellent opportunity for a Chef de Partie to be part of our friendly team of chefs dedicated to preparing a range of high-quality dishes, including fine dining for the College community and our commercial guests. In this role you will ensure the highest possible standards of food preparation and presentation, showcasing both classical and modern culinary techniques. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to learn additional techniques from our experienced chefs.

To be considered for this role, you will need to have:

• An NVQ Level 2/3 in Catering or equivalent
• A Certificate in Food Hygiene
• Relevant experience gained in a busy commercial environment
• Excellent culinary skills
• A good understanding of current Food Safety and relevant Health & Safety legislation

Please view the attached job description and person specification above for more details.

Details of the role

The role of Chef de Partie is a permanent full-time position. The working hours are 37.5 hours per week, with a 30-minute break each day, allocated according to a two-week shift rota (including evenings & weekends).

The salary for this role is £ 33,995.43 per annum (Step 40 on the College Salary Scale). A sign-on payment of £1,000 will be paid upon successful completion of probation, subject to T&Cs.

We also offer an attractive benefits package. Please see the advert attachment for a full list. (Please note that these benefits are non-contractual and may be amended or withdrawn at our discretion.)

Closing date: Midday on Monday 16 November 2026. The closing date for this post may be brought forward if there is a high volume of applicants.

Applications are welcomed from a broad range of backgrounds. Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK.

Applicants who declare a disability will be offered an interview if they meet the minimum criteria for the job.

We are pleased to be able offer this document in an accessible format. Please contact HR ( [e-mail] ) if you wish to receive this advert and role profile or an application form in a different, accessible format, e.g. large print.