Chef De Partie. Job in Lewes Education & Training Jobs

search; Lewes; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education provider in East Sussex is seeking an experienced Chef de Partie to join their in-house catering team. This full-time role offers 45 hours per week with excellent work/life balance in a structured environment. Responsibilities include preparing fresh, nutritious food and supporting kitchen operations for multiple outlets. Candidates should have a catering qualification or relevant experience, food hygiene certification, and strong customer service skills. Benefits include 25 days' annual leave, pension scheme, and more.

Benefits

25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays

Contributory pension scheme

Flexible working options

Free lunch when working across lunchtime

Qualifications

• Minimum two years' experience in a similar professional kitchen role.
• Current Food Hygiene Certificate with strong regulatory knowledge.
• Passion for fresh food, sustainability, and healthy menu design.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to menu preparation and maintain hygiene practices.
• Support daily kitchen operations and play a key role in events.
• Deliver fresh, high-volume catering to high standards.

Skills

Catering qualification or experience in high-volume kitchen

Strong customer service and communication skills

Confident across a range of cuisines and cooking techniques

Excellent understanding of allergens and dietary requirements

Physically fit for manual handling tasks

Job description

Chef de Partie (30,063 - 33,646)

Full-Time – 45 Hours per Week – Excellent Work/Life Balance

We are delighted to be supporting a leading education provider in East Sussex in their search for an experienced Chef de Partie to join their expanding in-house catering team. This is a fantastic opportunity to work in a high-quality, well-structured environment with set shifts, strong support, and long-term stability.

Our client operates a busy catering department serving students, staff, and external visitors across multiple outlets, including a large college dining room, a popular caf, and a state-of-the-art AgriFood Centre capable of hosting events for up to 500 guests. As the catering operation continues to grow, this role offers excellent scope for development within a positive, forward-thinking team.

Role

As Chef de Partie, you will work closely with the Senior Kitchen Team to deliver fresh, nutritious, high-volume catering to consistently high standards. You will contribute to menu preparation, maintain impeccable hygiene practices, support daily kitchen operations, and play a key role in events and hospitality services.

Essential Requirements

• Catering qualification or demonstrable experience in a high-volume kitchen
• Current Food Hygiene Certificate with strong regulatory knowledge
• Minimum two years' experience in a similar professional kitchen role
• Confident across a range of cuisines and cooking techniques
• Passion for fresh food, sustainability, and healthy menu design
• Physically fit and comfortable with manual handling tasks
• Strong customer service and communication skills
• Excellent understanding of allergens, dietary requirements, and cross-contamination
• Full UK driving licence

Working Hours

A structured rota of five days over seven, usually including one weekend per month. Typical shifts are 7am-5pm or 8am-6pm (10-hour days with a one-hour break). Flexibility is required for occasional evenings and weekends to support events.

Benefits

• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure days between Christmas and New Year
• Contributory pension scheme
• Comprehensive wellbeing support
• On-site parking and Cycle-to-Work scheme
• Flexible working options
• Free lunch when working across lunchtime

If you're an experienced Chef de Partie looking for a stable role with excellent work/life balance in a supportive, professional environment, we'd love to hear from you.

Search is an equal opportunities recruiter and we welcome applications from all suitably skilled or qualified applicants, regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/beliefs, sexual orientation or age.