Sous Chef

ESS – Defence, Energy and Government Services; England; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Contributory pension

Career Pathways

MyLearning

Digital GP

Healthcare benefits

Travel discounts

Grocery discounts

Cinema tickets

Cash rewards

Wellbeing classes

Job summary

ESS – Defence, Energy and Government Services is seeking an experienced Sous Chef to lead its catering operation at Kendrew Barracks, Cottesmore. The role focuses on high-quality, nutritious meals for Service Personnel and strong team leadership in a fast paced, structured environment.

You’ll manage daily feeding and function activities, drive food safety standards and cost control while developing a dedicated team. The position is on-site with a 37.5-hour week and a salary of £30,360 per annum.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Sous Chef or Senior Chef role.
• Hands-on leader who collaborates with the team.
• Strong organisational and communication skills.
• Ability to manage a small team effectively and responsibly.
• Calm under pressure in a high-volume catering environment.
• Reliable and flexible to changing weekly schedules.
• Safety-first mindset with passion for food.

Responsibilities

• Preparing and delivering high-quality, nutritious meals for Service Personnel.
• Leading from the front in a hands-on Sous Chef role.
• Managing daily feeding and function activities.
• Supporting, motivating, and developing a team.
• Ensuring excellent food presentation, consistency, and service standards.
• Managing food ordering, stock control, and minimising waste.
• Maintaining the highest standards of food hygiene, cleanliness, and safety.
• Managing budgets and ensuring financial targets are met.
• Ensuring compliance with Food Safety and Health & Safety regulations.

Skills

Sous Chef experience

Hands-on leadership

Organisational skills

Team management

Calm under pressure

Reliability & flexibility

Food safety mindset

Job description

Sous Chef - Kendrew Barracks, Cottesmore

Salary: £30360 per annum

Shift pattern: 37.5 hours per week, 5 days out of 7

We’re looking for an experienced, hands‑on Sous Chef to lead our catering operation. This is a fantastic opportunity for a strong kitchen leader who enjoys being on the tools, supporting their team, and delivering high-quality food in a fast-paced, structured environment.

We’re looking for an experienced, hands‑on Sous Chef to lead our catering operation. This is a fantastic opportunity for a strong kitchen leader who enjoys being on the tools, supporting their team, and delivering high-quality food in a fast-paced, structured environment.

You’ll be responsible for daily feeding and function activities while leading and developing a dedicated team.

What you’ll be doing

• Preparing and delivering high-quality, nutritious meals for Service Personnel
• Leading from the front in a hands‑on Sous Chef role
• Managing daily feeding and function activities
• Supporting, motivating, and developing a team
• Ensuring excellent food presentation, consistency, and service standards
• Managing food ordering, stock control, and minimising waste
• Maintaining the highest standards of food hygiene, cleanliness, and safety
• Managing budgets and ensuring financial targets are met
• Ensuring full compliance with Food Safety and Health & Safety regulations

What we’re looking for

• Proven experience in a Sous Chef or Senior Chef role
• A hands‑on leader who enjoys working alongside their team
• Strong organisational and communication skills
• The ability to manage a small team effectively and responsibly
• Calm under pressure and confident in a high-volume catering environment
• Reliable, flexible, and able to adapt to changing weekly schedules
• A safety‑first mindset with a genuine passion for food

Benefits

We ensure you’re rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families

Please note: This role is contracted to weeks per year

About Us

Part of Compass Group UK&I, ESS is the Defence, Government, and Energy services sector of Compass Group UK & Ireland. We support 250+ UK military establishments, high profile police, secure environments and government sites, along with a range of onshore and offshore facilities including platforms, drilling rigs, floatels and offices for the energy sector. We know that a friendly face makes all the difference, so we look for people who are passionate about delivering excellent customer service, at all levels, to join our teams.

Job Reference: com/2309/95281001/52396123/R/SU #Defence

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!