Sous Chef

Compass Group UK; Atherstone; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

20 days annual leave

Free staff parking

Free tickets to the zoo

Free staff meals on site

Compass reward scheme

Job summary

Restaurant Associates is seeking a hands-on Sous Chef to support the Head Chef across Twycross Zoo's multiple outlets, delivering high-quality food and service.

You will lead a small kitchen team, manage food preparation, allergen controls, stock and deliveries, and ensure health and safety standards are met. This fast-paced, visitor-focused role offers opportunities for growth within a national business.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a busy kitchen.
• Proven experience leading a small team.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, allergens and health & safety.
• Experience with food management systems and stock control.
• Excellent leadership, organisational and communication skills.
• Adaptable and able to thrive in a high-volume environment.
• Passionate about hospitality and visitor experience.
• Experience in a visitor-led environment desirable.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook, and assist in serving high-quality dishes across multiple high-volume retail and catering sites.
• Maintain compliance with all food hygiene, allergen, and health & safety standards.
• Lead and train a small kitchen team, including rota management and on-the-job training.
• Manage ordering, deliveries, and stock control to ensure efficient operations.
• Support accurate recording and reporting using food management software and processes.
• Deliver catering for events across the site, maintaining high standards under pressure.

Skills

Team leadership

Food safety

Allergen management

Stock control

Communication

Organisational skills

Tools

Food management software

Job description

Job Description

Sous Chef

Location: Twycross Zoo

Salary: Up to £35,000 per annum

Contract: Full-Time, Permanent, 40 hours per week, 5 days out of 7

Are you an experienced Sous Chef looking for an exciting opportunity to work in a busy, multi-site visitor attraction? RAVenues is seeking a hands-on, proactive Sous Chef to support food production and service across a variety of high-volume catering outlets at Twycross Zoo. This is a fantastic role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys variety in their work.

What We Offer:

• A collaborative and inclusive culture, where your ideas are valued, and creativity is encouraged.
• 20 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays)
• Free staff parking
• Free tickets to the zoo
• Free staff meals whilst working on site
• Compass reward scheme
• A supportive, values-driven culture within cohesive teams
• Opportunities for growth and development within a national business
• A chance to make a meaningful impact in a continuously growing sector

About the Role:

As Sous Chef at Twycross Zoo, you will support the Head Chef in overseeing kitchen operations across the attraction’s multiple food outlets and events. You will lead the kitchen team, ensuring high-quality food production, excellent service, and adherence to all health, safety, and food hygiene standards.

Key aspects of the role include managing food preparation, allergen compliance, stock control, deliveries, and team leadership. You will also assist with food management systems, helping to ensure operational efficiency and consistency across all areas.

This is a hands-on role requiring flexibility, strong organisational skills, and the ability to work effectively in a busy, multi-function environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Food Production & Service: Prepare, cook, and assist in serving high-quality dishes across multiple high-volume retail and catering sites
• Health & Safety & Food Safety: Maintain compliance with all food hygiene, allergen, and health & safety standards
• Team Leadership: Lead and motivate a small kitchen team, including rota management and on-the-job training
• Stock & Ordering: Manage ordering, deliveries, and stock control to ensure efficient operations
• Food Management Systems: Support accurate recording and reporting using food management software and processes
• Event Support: Deliver catering for events across the site, maintaining high standards under pressure

The Ideal Candidate:

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a busy, multi-function kitchen
• Proven experience managing a small team and overseeing kitchen operations
• Strong knowledge of food safety, allergens, and health & safety legislation
• Experience with food management systems and stock control
• Excellent leadership, organisational, and communication skills
• Adaptable, proactive, and able to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
• Passionate about food, hospitality, and delivering excellent visitor experiences
• Experience in a similar visitor-led environment is desirable

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.

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!