Senior Chef

Sodexo Ltd; Woking; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mental health resources

EAP

Wellbeing app with GP

Staff discounts

Retirement savings & life insurance

Uniform provided

Flexible working

Job summary

Nuffield Health Woking Hospital is seeking a Senior Chef to lead and manage the kitchen on shift, delivering high‑quality meals that support patient wellbeing. You will work within a fast‑paced team, ensuring standards are met and patient dining experiences are exceptional.

Join Sodexo at Nuffield Health Woking Hospital to contribute to a purpose‑driven dining service, with opportunities for development and a supportive work environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Chef in high‑volume catering.
• Strong culinary skills and menu development.
• Experience leading kitchen teams and mentoring.
• Knowledge of food safety, allergies and labeling; Level 3 desirable.
• Ability to work under pressure with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication with patients, staff and suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook high‑quality meals for patients, staff and hospitality.
• Develop fresh, seasonal menus with dietary options.
• Lead and support kitchen team, deputising for management when required.
• Ensure food safety, hygiene, HACCP compliance.
• Manage stock, ordering, portion control and wastage.
• Complete kitchen checks and documentation for audits.
• Collaborate with front‑of‑house to deliver patient experience.

Skills

Culinary skills

Leadership

Menu planning

Food safety

Communication

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Education

Intermediate Food Hygiene Level 3

Tools

HACCP training

Job description

Nuffield Health Woking Hospital, Shores Road, Woking, GU21 4BY

Healthy outcomes start with positive patient experiences.

£15.09 per hour + Sodexo Benefits

37.5 hours per week

Shift Pattern: 5 out of 7 days a week | alternating weeks

Free parking on site/ Meal on shift / Uniform provided/ work-life balance

Permanent contract

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Plan Your Journey | Traveline - the destination you should input is: GU21 4BY

Please take the time to read the attached job description

Job Introduction

Bring your passion to the plate. Make a difference every day.

As a Senior Chef with Sodexo at Nuffield Health Woking Hospital, you'll play a vital role in preparing high-quality meals that support patient wellbeing and enhance the overall dining experience. You'll be responsible for managing the kitchen while on shift, ensuring every dish meets our high standards. If you're passionate about food, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and want to be part of a purpose-driven team - this is the role for you. Join Sodexo and be part of something greater. You belong in a team where you can act with purpose and thrive in your way.

What you’ll do:

• Prepare and cook fresh, high-quality meals for patients, staff and hospitality services, ensuring variety, nutrition and excellent presentation.
• Support the development of fresh, seasonal menus, offering a range of cuisines and suitable options for different dietary, allergy and nutritional requirements.
• Lead and support the kitchen team to deliver a consistently high standard of food and service, including deputising for management when required.
• Ensure all food preparation, cooking, storage and service meets food safety, hygiene, HACCP, COSHH and hospital standards.
• Manage stock, ordering, portion control and food wastage effectively, helping to maintain excellent quality within agreed budgets.
• Complete required kitchen checks, records and documentation, supporting successful EHO, Safeguard and internal audits.
• Work closely with the wider hospitality and front-of-house teams, responding positively to customer feedback and helping to deliver an excellent patient and guest experience.

What you bring:

• Proven experience as a Chef, ideally at Sous Chef or shift-lead level, within a high-volume catering environment.
• Strong culinary skills and a passion for fresh cooking, quality ingredients and creating varied menus.
• Experience leading, supporting and developing a kitchen team, with the ability to motivate others and lead by example.
• Good knowledge of food safety, hygiene, allergens, special diets and food labelling, with an Intermediate Food Hygiene qualification; Level 3 is desirable.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Good communication skills and the confidence to work professionally with patients, staff, colleagues, suppliers and other stakeholders.
• A positive, flexible and inclusive approach, with a commitment to high standards, teamwork, hospitality and continuous improvement.

What we offer:

Working at Sodexo isn't just a job - it's a chance to make a difference every day. You'll be part of a supportive team, act with purpose, and thrive in a role where your work matters. We also offer a range of benefits to support you and your loved ones:

• Mental health and wellbeing resources
• Employee Assistance Programme (including financial/legal advice & personal support)
• Free health & wellbeing app with 24/7 virtual GP access
• Discounts on high street brands for you and your family
• Salary finance tools and financial wellbeing resources
• Retirement savings plan and life insurance
• Full training and protective uniform provided.
• Opportunities to gain experience through learning and development.
• Cycle to Work scheme & volunteering opportunities.
• Flexible working and a dynamic team environment
• Competitive pay

About Sodexo

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better every day for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services.

We are committed tobeingan inclusive employer. We are a forces friendly employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds, and identities. We encourage our employees to get involved with our Employee Networks such as Pride, Sodexo Parents & Carers, Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins.

We're a Disability Confident Leader employer. We're committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations. We run a Disability Confident interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the job.

Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins.