Sous Chef

Sodexo Group; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mental health support platform

Employee Assistance Programme

Free health and wellbeing app

Sodexo Discounts Scheme

Salary Finance Platform

Retirement Plan

Death-in-Service

Learning and development tools

Cycle to Work Scheme

Volunteering Opportunities

Flexible and dynamic work environment

Job summary

Sous Chef opportunity at Deepdale Stadium in Preston with Sodexo Live! supporting the Executive Head Chef across matchday hospitality, conferences, banquets and VIP events. You will lead kitchen operations, develop exciting menus and drive innovation in a fast-paced, high-profile venue.

We seek a passionate leader with strong food safety knowledge, capable of directing a team of chefs and delivering outstanding customer experiences across diverse events.

Qualifications

• Experience as Sous Chef or Senior Sous Chef in high-volume hospitality.
• Experience delivering large-scale events, banqueting and stadium catering.
• Background in fine dining or premium hospitality.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop kitchen teams.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, hygiene and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Support the Executive Head Chef in day-to-day kitchen operations.
• Lead matchday hospitality, conferences, banqueting and events.
• Create menus that stay ahead of industry trends.
• Drive innovation and bring new ideas to the business.
• Deliver high standards of food quality, presentation and service.
• Manage and inspire a team of chefs and casual staff.
• Support stock control, ordering and food cost management.
• Ensure food safety and health & safety compliance.
• Represent the culinary team at tastings and client presentations.
• Deputise for the Executive Head Chef when required.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organisation

Food safety

Menu development

Cost control

Education

A Level 3 Food Hygiene qualification

Job description

Sous Chef

• Preston North End Football Club, Sir Tom Finney Way, Deepdale, Preston, PR1 6RU
• £30,000pa - £32,000pa + excellent benefits
• 40hrs pw 5/7

Are you ready to take your culinary career to the next level at one of the UK's most iconic sporting venues?

At Sodexo Live!, we're passionate about creating unforgettable food experiences. We are looking for an exceptional Sous Chef to join our team at Deepdale Stadium, Preston, supporting the Executive Head Chef in delivering outstanding hospitality, matchday catering, conferences, banquets, VIP events and memorable guest experiences.

As Sous Chef, you'll play a pivotal role in leading kitchen operations and delivering exceptional culinary experiences across the stadium.

We're seeking a passionate foodie and natural leader who thrives in a dynamic environment.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a talented Sous Chef with a passion for innovation, leadership and high-quality food to make their mark within a fast-paced, high-profile venue. If you're an experienced Sous Chef looking for an exciting opportunity where no two days are the same, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Do:

• Support the Executive Head Chef in managing the day-to-day kitchen operation
• Lead the delivery of matchday hospitality, conferences, banqueting and special events
• Create and develop exciting menus that keep us ahead of industry trends
• Drive innovation and bring fresh culinary ideas to the business
• Deliver outstanding standards of food quality, presentation and service
• Manage and inspire a team of chefs and casual kitchen staff
• Support stock control, ordering and food cost management
• Ensure the highest standards of food safety, hygiene and health & safety compliance
• Represent the culinary team during client tastings and presentations
• Deputise for the Executive Head Chef when required

For a full list of responsibilities please view the attached job description.

What You Bring:

• Previous experience as a Sous Chef or Senior Sous Chef within a high-volume hospitality environment.
• Experience delivering large-scale events, banqueting, stadium catering, hotel hospitality or contract catering operations.
• A strong background in fine dining, premium hospitality or high-quality food service.
• Proven experience leading, motivating and developing kitchen teams.
• Excellent knowledge of food safety, hygiene and health & safety standards.
• A Level 3 Food Hygiene qualification (or equivalent).
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of food cost control, stock management and profitability.
• Excellent communication skills with the confidence to engage with colleagues, clients and stakeholders.
• A genuine passion for food, innovation and emerging culinary trends.
• The ability to inspire others and lead by example.
• A proactive, hands‑on approach with a commitment to delivering outstanding customer experiences.

Desirable

• Supervising Food Safety Level 3 qualification.
• IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent health and safety qualification.
• Experience within retail food operations.
• Production kitchen experience.
• Experience working directly with clients within a contract catering or events environment.
• Experience training, coaching and developing chefs and kitchen teams.
• Experience delivering both high-volume and premium hospitality events.

What we offer:

Working with Sodexo Live! is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater.You’ll belong in a company and team that values you for you;you’ll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you’ll be able to thrive in your own way.In addition, we also offer a range of resources, rewards and benefits for our colleagues and their families:

• Unlimited access to an online platform offering mental health and wellbeing support.
• Employee Assistance Programme to help with everyday issues or larger problems where you may need additional support, including legal and financial advice, support with work related issues or personal issues such as bereavement.
• Access to a free health and wellbeing app that provides rewards for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and includes access to a 24hr virtual GP and various other services.
• The Sodexo Discounts Scheme, offering great deals 24/7 (also open to friends and family) and/or the prepayment cashback card.
• Money Insights and financial benefits via the Salary Finance Platform.
• Save for your future by becoming a member of the Sodexo Retirement Plan
• A Death-in-Service benefit for colleagues who pass away whilst employed by Sodexo
• Opportunities to enable colleagues to grow and succeed throughout their career at Sodexo, including a variety of learning and development tools.
• Cycle to Work Scheme to help colleagues to do their bit for the environment whilst keeping fit.
• Volunteering Opportunities to enable all colleagues to help support worthwhile causes in our communities.
• Flexible and dynamic work environment

Sodexo reserves the right to close this advertisement early if we are in receipt of a high volume of applications.

About Sodexo Live!

At Sodexo Live!, our purpose is to create a better everyday 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 to being an 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.

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.

Click here to read more about what we do to promote an inclusive culture. The rewards and Benefits guide is attached