Chef De Partie

John Lewis Partnership; England; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A large employee-owned company in England is seeking a Chef de Partie to join its talented kitchen brigade at Brownsea Castle hotel. This vital role involves preparing and presenting culinary offerings while managing kitchen operations. Ideal candidates are required to have relevant chef qualifications and experience. The position offers a salary between £25,500 and £35,500, and the role demands flexibility to work varied shifts, including weekends and evenings.

Qualifications

• Must have NVQ L2/3 or equivalent chef qualifications.
• Experience in a professional kitchen is essential.
• Highly self-motivated and passionate about food.

Responsibilities

• Support Head Chef in executing high standard food offerings.
• Guide and develop chef apprentices and kitchen staff.
• Control food costs and ensure minimisation of wastage.

Skills

Relevant professional chef qualifications: NVQ L2/3

Experience working in a professional kitchen

Self-motivated and industrious worker

Ability to work under pressure

Understanding of HACCP principles

Strong organisational and planning capabilities

Excellent communication skills

Collaborative team player

Education

Relevant chef qualifications

Job description

About the role

As a Chef de Partie at our Brownsea Castle hotel, you'll join a talented kitchen brigade dedicated to providing a first‑class experience for Partners and guests. You will be a key player in preparing, presenting, and helping to develop the hotel's culinary offerings.

This is an ideal development opportunity. While working under the Head and Sous Chef, you will be responsible for managing your station and will also take on responsibility for maintaining kitchen operations in their absence, enhancing the kitchen's efficiency and profitability.

We aren’t an ordinary business though. The Partnership is different because everyone who works here isn’t just an employee. We are Partners, with a shared responsibility for our success, and we share the rewards when we’re successful. Everything we do is powered by our unique purpose: Working in Partnership for a happier world. Our Purpose inspires our principles, drives our decisions and acts as our guide, so that everything we do contributes to Happier People, Happier Business and a Happier World.

Salary

Expected Salary - £25500 - £35500

Contract type

Contract type - This contract is a permanent contract.

Working pattern / flexible working

Working pattern/flexible working: This is an on‑site role at our Brownsea Castle hotel. The role requires flexibility to work varied shifts, including weekends and evenings, to support the operational needs of the business.

Location

Location: Brownsea Castle

Responsibilities

• Supporting the Head Chef and Sous Chef in planning, preparing, and executing the hotel's food offerings to high presentation standards.
• Guiding and developing chef apprentices and the wider kitchen staff, using your expertise to train them.
• Controlling food costs and stock, minimising wastage, and ensuring accuracy of food orders.
• Driving sales by managing food availability and empowering the front‑of‑house team to effectively upsell.
• Adhering to all legal standards within the catering environment, including allergen management.
• Conducting daily compliance checks (e.g., chemicals, PPE, health and safety) and ensuring all food safety policies are followed.
• Representing the brand by delivering an exceptional and consistent customer experience.
• Embodying the Partnership's values and democratic principles, actively participating in co‑ownership and demonstrating a commitment to better business practices.
• Pursuing personal and professional growth to reach your full potential and engaging actively with your profession.
• Valuing and acknowledging the diverse perspectives and experiences within the Partnership.

Essential skills / experience you’ll need

• Relevant professional chef qualifications: NVQ L2/3, Apprenticeship L2/3 cookery or equivalent.
• Experience working in a professional kitchen.
• A highly self‑motivated and industrious worker with a passion for food, creativity, and flair.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast‑paced environment, delivering high‑quality results.
• Comprehensive understanding of HACCP principles and the ability to interpret and enforce food safety and health & safety regulations.
• Strong organisational and planning capabilities.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to effectively influence, motivate, and coach a team.
• A collaborative team player with a productivity‑focused and customer‑centric mindset.

Desirable skills / experience you may have

• Food Safety Level 3 qualification.
• City & Guilds 706 1 and 2 or equivalent.
• Food Hygiene Certificate Level 2.

About The Partnership

We’re the largest employee‑owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.

We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail and continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. We are never knowingly undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food‑lovers in Waitrose.

As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect.

We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong, embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can thrive. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective.

As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.

Important points to note

It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre‑employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third‑party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.

We occasionally close vacancies early in the event we receive a high volume of applications, and therefore, we recommend you apply early. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability which means you may need longer to complete your application please contact us as soon as possible.

We want all of our Partners to have a good work‑life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.