Junior Sous Chef

Compass Group; Woking; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospitality provider in the UK is looking for a Junior Sous Chef to join their team at RHS Garden Wisley. The role involves supporting the Head Chef in managing day-to-day kitchen operations, ensuring high standards of food quality and safety. The ideal candidate will bring over 3 years of experience in a high-quality kitchen and will be responsible for supervising the kitchen team while fostering a positive work environment. This position offers opportunities for professional growth and development within the company.

Benefits

20 days annual leave

Free parking on site

Free staff meals

Access to training and development

On-site F&B discounts

Qualifications

• 3+ years' experience as a Chef de Partie or Senior Chef de Partie in a high-quality kitchen.
• Experience supervising others in a kitchen environment.
• Knowledge of food safety, health & safety, and allergen management.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head Chef in daily operations.
• Ensure high standards of food quality and safety.
• Supervise kitchen team and maintain a positive kitchen culture.

Skills

Strong cooking skills

Knowledge of food safety

Supervision experience

Understanding of seasonality

Accuracy in food safety records

Education

Level 2 or 3 food safety qualifications

Job description

Junior Sous Chef - Food Hall

Salary: Up to £33,000 per annum

Location: RHS Garden Wisley

Contract Type: Full-time, permanent, site based, 5 over 7 days per week

As the Junior Sous Chef, at RHS Garden Wisley, you will support the Head Chef in the day-to-day running of the Food Hall Kitchen at RHS Garden Wisley, ensuring the smooth delivery of high-quality, seasonal, and consistent food. The Junior Sous Chef will act as a key operational leader within the kitchen, taking responsibility for food production, service standards, team supervision, and maintaining the Food Safety Management System (FSMS), including accurate and up-to-date record keeping.

This role requires a hands‑on chef with strong organisational skills, excellent culinary standards, and the ability to lead by example. The Junior Sous Chef will help guide and develop the kitchen team, uphold RA Venues' standards, and ensure an efficient, safe, and positive working environment. In return, you will have the chance to progress your career with a company that invests in its people, celebrates individuality, and rewards and recognises employees who go beyond the plate.

What can we offer you:

• A collaborative and inclusive culture, where your ideas are valued, and creativity is encouraged.
• The chance to work in a truly beautiful and inspiring setting, surrounded by nature and stunning gardens.
• 20 days annual leave (Excluding bank holidays and national holiday days)
• Free parking on site
• Free staff meals whilst at work.
• Access to Compass Group company perks & benefits.
• Perks for Works discounts and promotions
• Access to training, mentoring and development, with support from our wider Restaurant Associates and Compass Group UK networks.
• On-site F&B discounts.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure all dishes produced in the Food Hall are of a consistently high standard in line with RA Venues' expectations.
• Support the delivery of menus that reflect seasonality, quality, and sustainability.
• Maintain excellent presentation and adherence to brand standards across all dishes and counters.
• Assist with responding to guest feedback on food quality and allergen queries.
• Uphold Wisley's values and contribute to a welcoming and engaging experience for guests.
• Support the Head Chef in launching new menus and seasonal changes.
• Maintain high visual standards of counters, displays, and hot/cold food offerings.
• Contribute ideas for specials, menu development, and promotions where appropriate.
• Assist with effective portion control and accurate recipe adherence.
• Support stock control processes including ordering, rotation, and minimising waste.
• Ensure mise en place is planned efficiently to support volume and reduce labour inefficiencies.
• Ensure full adherence to the Food Safety Management System (FSMS).
• Maintain all daily, weekly, and monthly food safety documentation, ensuring it is completed accurately and on time.
• Support allergen management procedures and ensure the team follow correct labelling and handling practices.
• Adhere to and promote RA Venues' standards in health & safety, hygiene, and due diligence.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and organisation in all kitchen areas.
• Ensure safe working practices and model correct behaviours.
• Ensure all incidents, near misses, and hazards are reported.
• Support training of team members on safe systems of work and allergen awareness.
• Supervise and support the kitchen team during prep, service, and close‑down.
• Assist with training commis chefs and CDPs to consistently meet standards.
• Help maintain a positive, collaborative, and respectful kitchen culture.
• Support onboarding of new team members and encourage personal development.

The Ideal Candidate:

• 3+ years' experience as a Chef de Partie or Senior Chef de Partie in a high-quality, volume-led kitchen.
• Strong cooking skills and understanding of seasonality.
• Knowledge of food safety, health & safety, and allergen management.
• Experience supervising others in a kitchen environment.
• Ability to complete food safety records accurately.
• Experience in contract catering or visitor‑attraction venues.
• Level 2 or 3 food safety qualifications.
• Interest in bakery, deli, or counter-style service.

About Us:

Restaurant Associates is a leading premium hospitality provider with an ethos drawn from our history of fine and high-quality dining in London and New York.

Within our venues team, we provide catering and hospitality services to some of the most iconic visitor attractions and destinations in the UK including the Imperial War Museum London, Glyndebourne Opera House, Knebworth House, Design Museum, Whipsnade Zoo and many more. Within these amazing venues we operate a host of bespoke cafés and restaurants, as well as delivering private events ranging from small meetings to large-scale ground events of up to 1000 people. You can find a full list of our venues on our website.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive, diverse, fun, and dynamic place to work with opportunities to collaborate with a wide range of teams plus a commitment to putting our people first. Restaurant Associates is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds. As a business, we are committed to sustainability leading practices and are proud to have achieved 3 stars with the Sustainable Restaurant Association's Food Made Good Programme.