Sous Chef

ESS – Defence, Energy and Government Services; Yeovil; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Contributory pension scheme

Career Pathways & MyLearning programs

Digital GP & wider healthcare benefits

Travel discounts with major providers

Tesco/Sainsbury's/Morrisons shopping;%

Cinema discounts

Cash rewards on purchases

Wellness and mindfulness classes

Discounts for friends and family

Job summary

ESS – Defence, Energy and Government Services, delivering catering at RNAS Yeovilton, is seeking a hands-on Sous Chef to lead a fast-paced kitchen operation. You will deliver nutritious meals for Service Personnel, manage a small team, and uphold high standards in a structured environment.

The role is based at RNAS Yeovilton, involves 40 hours per week, and offers a competitive £33,900 per annum salary with opportunities to lead and develop the team while maintaining top-tier food safety and

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Sous Chef or Senior Chef role.
• Hands-on leader who works with their team.
• Strong organisational and communication skills.
• Ability to manage a small team and budgets.
• Calm under pressure in high-volume catering.
• Safety-first mindset with passion for food.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and deliver high-quality, nutritious meals for Service Personnel.
• Lead from the front in a hands-on Sous Chef role.
• Manage daily feeding and function activities.
• Support, motivate, and develop a team.
• Ensure excellent food presentation and service standards.
• Manage food ordering, stock control and minimise waste.
• Maintain high standards of food hygiene, cleanliness and safety.
• Manage budgets and ensure financial targets are met.
• Ensure compliance with Food Safety and Health & Safety regulations.

Skills

Hands-on leadership

Food safety

High-volume catering

Team motivation

Budget management

Job description

Shifts between 6am and 8.30pm 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.

Sous Chef - RNAS Yeovilton

40 hours per week/ £33900 per annum

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

• 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
• Unwind 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/2309/95874001/52568792/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!