Chef Kitchen Assistant

Aramark Ltd; Pen-y-fai; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Uniform provided

Free meals on duty

Free on-site parking

Employee Benefits app

Job summary

Aramark Ltd. seeks two Sous Chefs to lead day-to-day kitchen operations at HMP Parc, Bridgend. You will oversee a team of chefs, supervise inmates, ensure meal preparation and service runs smoothly, safely, and efficiently in a high-security environment.

Role requires leadership, strong food safety knowledge, and the ability to manage high-volume catering on a rolling rota, including weekends. DBS and security vetting are required.

Qualifications

• UK residency for the past 5 years with legal right to work.
• Ability to pass full DBS and security vetting.
• Experience in a professional kitchen or high-volume catering environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the preparation and service of approximately 1,800 meals daily (breakfast packs, lunches, dinners).
• Ensure timely dispatch: lunches by 11:00, dinners by 15:00.
• Supervise loading and distribution of meals to residential wings using heated trolleys.
• Maintain accurate meal counts and portion control.
• Supervise 10–12 prisoners; uphold safety, security and site procedures.
• Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene and cleanliness in a secure environment.

Skills

Food safety

Team leadership

Communication

Organisation

Calm under pressure

Flexible schedule

Job description

Support the safe and efficient day to day operation of the main kitchen as part of a rolling rota. Two teams of four work opposite each other, with each team consisting of a Head Chef, two Chef Supervisors and a Chef Kitchen Assistant.

• Assist with the preparation and service of approximately 1,800 breakfast packs, cold lunches, and hot evening meals each day.
• Ensure lunches are prepared for dispatch at approximately 11:00 and evening meals at approximately 15:00.
• Supervise the loading and distribution of meals to residential wings using heated food trolleys.
• Complete accurate meal counts and maintains effective portion control.
• Supervise and work alongside approximately 10 to 12 prisoners within the kitchen, ensuring professional boundaries, security requirements and site procedures are always followed.
• Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene, health and safety and cleanliness within a secure environment.

UK residency for the past 5 years with legal right to work

• Ability to pass full DBS and security vetting
• Previous experience in a professional kitchen or high-volume catering environment.
• Strong food preparation, service, and kitchen supervision skills.
• Good understanding of food safety, hygiene, allergen controls, health and safety and portion control.
• Ability to lead, support and motivate a team in a busy and secure working environment.
• Clear communication, good organisation, and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries when supervising prisoners and to follow all site security procedures.
• Flexibility to work the rolling rota, including weekends.

Appointment is subject to an enhanced DBS check and successful completion of the required prison security vetting. Applicants must be able to provide all requested documentation. The vetting process can take approximately six weeks to three months.

Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) is in the customer service business across food, facilities and uniforms, wherever people work, learn, recover, and play. United by a passion to serve, our more than 247,000 team members deliver experiences that enrich and nourish the lives of millions of people in 19 countries around the world every day.

Location: HMP Parc, Heol Hopcyn John, Bridgend CF35 6AP Salary: £27,757.76 Contract type: Permanent, full-time, 35 hours per week, 5 days out of 7 (with alternate weekends off) Shift times: Between 7am and 5pm -no late nights

We're looking for two Sous Chefs to join our catering team at HMP Parc, Bridgend. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced, motivated chef ready to step into a leadership role. You'll take ownership of the day-to-day kitchen operation, supervising a team of chefs and working alongside enhanced inmates, helping to ensure the unit runs smoothly, safely, and efficiently.

Why join us?

• Uniform provided, free meals on duty and free on-site parking.
• Access to our Employee Benefits app: online GP, Employee Assistance Scheme, and hundreds of discounts (including supermarket savings and weekend treats).
• Blue Light Discount Card (after probation passed).
• Company benefits: life assurance, pension contributions, generous holiday allowance (with the option to buy more)