Sous Chef

Chester Zoo; Chester; On-site; GBP 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Chester Zoo is seeking a passionate Sous Chef to lead kitchen operations at The Oakfield, an award-winning gastro pub. The role involves menu development, team training, and ensuring top-notch service for zoo visitors. Enjoy competitive pay, a supportive work environment, and generous benefits, including 33 days annual leave and a staff pass for zoo visits.

Benefits

33 days annual leave

Staff pass for zoo visits

Access to healthcare plan

Employer contributory pension scheme

Qualifications

• Demonstrable chef experience in a high-volume business.
• Excellent understanding of current gastro pub food trends.
• Experience leading a chef team.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook food at The Oakfield restaurant.
• Support Executive Head Chef and run daily kitchen operations.
• Train and mentor junior chefs.

Skills

Leadership

Excellent communication

Customer service

Teamwork

Adaptability to trends

Education

Food Safety Level 3 qualification (preferable)

Job description

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Sous Chef Heritage (The Oakfield & The Square)

How would you like to work in one of our stunning Heirtage venues? Including The Oakfield, an award-winning British pub-restaurant which won the Travellers’ Choice Award in 2020, ranking it in the top 10% of restaurants worldwide. Or The Square, our new, grandure, award-winning events venue. If this sounds like it might tickle your taste buds, apply now and join our fantastic team.

The Role
As part of our team of Chefs, you’ll prepare and cook food working in in The Oakfield pub-restaurant (located in the heart of our zoo) which was once home to the zoo’s founder and his family.

Our Sous Chefs take a lead role supporting our Executive Head Chef and Head Chef. They run the daily back of house operation in The Oakfield, training and mentoring our brigade of Chefs. They help to devise and develop on-trend gastro pub and event menus ahead of the competition, ensuring The Oakfield maintains its world-class reputation as a gastro pub and venue destination. Working closely with the front of house and events team, they ensure we deliver a world-class experience for all customers.

What makes Chester Zoo a great place to work?

As the UK’s biggest and best zoo, we have ambitious goals, exciting plans, and there’s always lots going on here. We’re an inclusive and diverse organisation, made up of nearly 500 permanent and 500 seasonal team members, and we know how important it is to invest in our colleagues to help boost their career development. We have ambitious goals, and we want you to be with us for the long term on our exciting journey.

Our futures depend on the sustainable work we do today, and our team of Chefs are conscious that every little effort counts. We work alongside the Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil to ensure all palm oil used is certified sustainable, and during 2018 our food and beverage department removed over 2 million pieces of plastic from our operation.

The Package

• You’ll be working sociable hours typically during zoo opening hours which are generally between 10am 6pm, although evening or early morning work will be required for events such as weddings or corporate functions. Contract hours are 40 per week, 5 days out of 7 on a rota basis including weekends and bank holidays and overtime will be paid for agreed additional hours.
• Permanent contract
• £35,497 per annum to include pay award active from January 2025, based on 40 hours per week.
• 33 days annual leave
• Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off plus multiple complimentary tickets for your friends and family.
• Access to healthcare plan
• Employer contributory pension scheme

Our Requirements

• Demonstrable chef experience in a high-volume business, preferably gained within a leading British Gastro Pub
• An excellent understanding of current gastro and event food & trends
• Experience of leading a chef team
• An excellent communicator and with a passion for coaching and developing a team
• Excellent customer service and teamwork skills
• Although not essential, the following would be desirable:
• A Food Safety Level 3 qualification is preferable.

More About Us
We’re not just an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction that’s home to 20,000 incredible animals inside 128 acres of stunning gardens. We’re not just the UK’s most popular zoo. We’re a major wildlife charity that’s committed to the recovery of endangered species, globally. And, as the world faces an extinction crisis, we’re making a hugely significant contribution to conservation at a time when it’s needed most. We are Chester Zoo, and we prevent extinction.

Shortlist will take place while the advert is live and the ad will close when a suitable candidate is found. We recommend you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.