Chef de Partie -HMP Bronzefield

Sodexo; Ashford; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free parking and meals

On-site gym and subsidised gym

Healthcare and life assurance

Discounts across brands

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

Sodexo is seeking a Chef de Partie at HMP Bronzefield to craft nutritious meals for up to 550 women, supervise kitchen activity and uphold food safety standards with a proactive team approach.

The role involves shifts 06:00-14:30 and 09:00-17:30, 37.5 hours per week, and includes London Weighting. Successful candidates will undergo enhanced vetting and DBS checks as part of the process.

Qualifications

• Relevant catering qualification as listed.
• Valid Food Hygiene and Health & Safety certifications.
• Experience in bulk or high-volume catering.
• Good understanding of food safety, allergens and dietary requirements.
• Clear communication and supervisory abilities.
• Flexible, proactive approach and initiative.
• Commitment to fair treatment and Sodexo policies.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook meals per approved recipes and standards.
• Supervise kitchen staff and ensure safe practices.
• Maintain food hygiene, allergens controls, health & safety, cleanliness.
• Manage receipt, storage and issue of food supplies and records.
• Complete catering paperwork and follow prison security procedures.
• Coordinate with catering managers and officers to maintain a safe environment.

Skills

Catering qualification

Food hygiene certifications

High-volume catering

Food safety knowledge

Communication skills

Staff supervision

Initiative and flexibility

Fairness and respect

Education

City & Guilds 7061/7062, NVQ Level 2 or equivalent

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Ashford

£31,516.72 + London Weighting LW £3729.24 per annum

Working Hours:

37.5

Location:

Ashford

Closing Date:

10/11/2026

Job Category:

Chefs

UK Government - Justice

Job Introduction

A chef role with variety, responsibility and the chance to make a difference.

• Salary: £35,245.96 per annum, including £3,729.24 London Weighting.
• Hours: 37.5 hours per week, working 5 days out of 7.
• Shifts: 06:00-14:30 and 09:00-17:30.

Great food brings structure, comfort and a sense of normality to the day. As a Chef de Partie at HMP Bronzefield, you’ll put your catering skills to work in a setting where your contribution matters.

Working alongside our catering team, you’ll prepare nutritious meals for up to 550 women, cater for different dietary needs and keep quality and food safety at the heart of every service. You’ll also supervise women working in the kitchen, helping them build confidence, develop practical skills and establish positive working routines.

If you enjoy a busy kitchen, take pride in your standards and can support others with patience and professionalism, we’d love to hear from you.

About HMP Bronzefield

HMP Bronzefield is a closed local women’s prison supporting women with a wide range of needs and backgrounds, including those on remand, serving sentences and mothers with babies.

With residential units, healthcare, workshops, a gym, library and other essential services, it’s a varied environment where teams work together to support safety, wellbeing and rehabilitation.

Our values - Be Positive, Be Courageous and Be the Difference - guide how we work, treat others and support positive change every day.

What you’ll do

• Prepare and cook meals in line with approved recipes, dietary requirements and Sodexo standards.
• Supervise women working in the kitchen, encouraging safe working practices and high standards.
• Maintain food hygiene, allergen controls, health and safety, and kitchen cleanliness.
• Support the secure receipt, storage and issue of food supplies, keeping accurate records.
• Complete catering paperwork and follow prison security procedures.
• Work with catering managers and Prison Custody Officers to address inappropriate behaviour and maintain a safe, respectful environment.

What you’ll bring

• A relevant catering qualification, such as City & Guilds 7061/7062, NVQ Level 2 or equivalent.
• Valid Food Hygiene and Health & Safety certifications.
• Experience in bulk or high-volume catering.
• A good understanding of food safety, allergens and dietary requirements.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to supervise, encourage and motivate others.
• A flexible, proactive approach, with the confidence to use your initiative and suggest improvements.
• A commitment to treating everyone fair and respectfully, completing required training and following Sodexo policies and procedures.

You’ll need to feel comfortable working in a secure environment and maintain a calm, professional approach when challenges arise.

Successful candidates will be required to undergo SSCL Enhanced Level 1/2 vetting and an Enhanced DBS check.

What we offer

Alongside your salary of £35,245.96 per annum, including London Weighting, you’ll have access to:

• Free parking and meals, where applicable.
• An on-site gym and subsidised gym membership.
• BUPA healthcare scheme and life assurance.
• Discounts across more than 1,900 brands.
• A confidential, 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, including emotional support and legal and financial advice.

A place where you belong

At Sodexo, we’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome, valued and able to be themselves. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we offer an interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the role.

Bring your skills, take pride in your work and help make a difference every day.