Sous Chef

The Royal Household; Greater London; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Pension plan 15% company contribution

Complimentary lunch on-site

Parental leave options

Volunteer days

Staff discounts

Job summary

The Royal Household is seeking an experienced Sous Chef to work within our Buckingham Palace kitchen, delivering meals to the highest standards for royal functions and events. You will collaborate with the Head Chef, plan menus, manage stock and lead a team across kitchen sections in a fast-paced, high-end catering environment.

Based at Buckingham Palace with duties at other Royal residences, this role emphasises training, career growth and meticulous attention to hygiene, safety and service

Qualifications

• City and Guilds catering qualification (or equivalent) with recent high-end catering experience.
• Experience at Junior Sous or Sous Chef level is preferred.
• Strong leadership and training abilities are essential.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Head Chef to ensure seamless operations and top service standards.
• Support with ordering, stock control and menu planning; propose new items.
• Assist in food preparation for events and daily requirements.
• Train and supervise junior chefs across kitchen sections.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Menu planning

Stock control

Health & safety

Communication

Culinary versatility

Education

City and Guilds catering qualification

Tools

Larder

Veg

Sauce

Pastry

Job description

It⁠s using your expertise to deliver the highest standards.

It⁠s developing your leadership skills. And it’s helping to deliver extraordinary service. This is what makes a career at the Royal Household so different.

Joining our highly accomplished team, you’ll work hands-⁠on with your colleagues to deliver food to the highest standards.

Working with quality ingredients and making the most of locally sourced and seasonal produce, you’ll plan and develop menu items for a wide range of events and occasions - from royal functions and events to creating meals for employee lunches.

Our team members work collaboratively, with the opportunity to gain experience in all aspects of the kitchen. With training and support embedded in our team culture, you’ll be encouraged to grow your skills.

Although based at Buckingham Palace, you’ll also work at different Royal residences throughout the year.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with the Head Chef and kitchen team to ensure seamless operations and the highest standards of service quality.
• Support the Head Chef with ordering, stock control and menu planning, making suggestions for new or improved items.
• Assist with and supervise the preparation and production of food for a range of events and requirements on a daily basis.
• Train, inspire and supervise junior chefs, developing their skills in a range of cooking and preparation techniques across all sections of the kitchen.
• Ensure that correct procedures are followed according to health and hygiene regulations.

Typical Working Pattern

We offer a flexible and supportive working environment. Our standard working week is around 45 hours, with two days off in every seven and regular weekends off (and sometimes evenings). When travel to other Royal Residences is required, split shifts may be part of the schedule, and any travel time is balanced with time off in lieu upon return.

We value work-life balance and aim to accommodate individual needs. Typically, rotas are planned four weeks in advance to provide plenty of notice and stability.

• With a City and Guilds catering qualification (or equivalent), you’ll also have gained substantial experience working in a high end catering operation, and recent expertise at a Junior Sous or Sous Chef level.
• Proficiency across all kitchen sections: Larder, Veg, Sauce, and Pastry, showcasing your versatility and skill.
• Exemplify strong leadership abilities, with a knack for inspiring, coaching and encouraging junior team members.
• Well organised, you can plan and delegate effectively.
• With a sound understanding of health and safety requirements you ensure a safe and hygienic kitchen environment.
• With good communication skills, you can build great working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders across the organisation.
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced environment, where every day presents new challenges and opportunities for culinary innovation.
• Above all, you’ll exhibit an unwavering commitment to service excellence, making you an invaluable asset to our esteemed Kitchen team.

We know that to deliver our best work; we need to feel at our best. That’s why at the Royal Household we offer a generous benefits package designed to support your wellbeing and life priorities.

• 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 days (plus bank holidays) dependent on the length of time you have worked for us.
• Our excellent non-contributory pension plan (we’ll contribute 15% and you can contribute more if you wish).
• Complimentary lunch on-site to keep you fuelled throughout the day.
• We also offer a range of leave options to support your life priorities, such as parental pay and leave and volunteering days, as well as benefits to support your physical and mental wellbeing.
• Other perks include 20% off at our Royal Collection Trust Shops and complimentary admission tickets across all our locations, along with many more exclusive employee discounts.

Find out more about the full range of benefits available to our employee here.