Sous Chef

ESS – Defence, Energy and Government Services; Reading; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

ESS – Defence, Energy and Government Services is seeking an experienced, hands-on Sous Chef to lead our catering operation. This role is ideal 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 supervise daily feeding and function activities, develop a dedicated team, manage food ordering, stock, and waste, and ensure food hygiene and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Experience in a Sous Chef or Senior Chef role
• Hands-on leader who enjoys working with their 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 with changing weekly schedules
• A safety-first mindset with a 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 high standards of food hygiene, cleanliness, and safety
• Managing budgets and ensuring financial targets are met
• Compliance with Food Safety and Health & Safety regulations

Skills

Hands-on leadership

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Team management

Calm under pressure

Reliability & flexibility

Food safety mindset

Job description

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

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/1011/99455001/52845389/SU #Energy

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!