Sous Chef

Chartwells Independent; Yeovil; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Contributory pension

Career development pathways

Digital GP / healthcare access

Travel discounts

Grocery discounts

Cinema tickets discounts

Cash rewards

Wellness & fitness programs

Friends & family discounts

Job summary

Compass Group UK&I ESS is recruiting for a hands-on Sous Chef at RNAS Yeovilton. You will lead a kitchen team, deliver high-quality meals for Service Personnel, and manage daily feeding and function activities in a fast-paced, structured environment.

This role requires proven Sous Chef experience, strong leadership, and a safety-first approach. You will control stock, maintain hygiene standards, and work to budget targets while developing your team.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Sous Chef or Senior Chef role.
• Hands-on leader who works alongside 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.

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, consistency, and service standards.
• Manage food ordering, stock control, and minimise waste.
• Maintain the highest 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

Sous Chef experience

Hands-on leadership

Organisational skills

Team management

Calm under pressure

Reliability & flexibility

Food safety mindset

Job description

Sous Chef - RNAS Yeovilton

40 hours per week/ £33900 per annum

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

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

What you’ll deoing

• Preparing and delivering high-quality, nutritious meals for Service Personnel
• Leading from the front in ahands‑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’relooking 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

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/3107/95874001/52568792/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!