Sous Chef - Conferencing & Banqueting

Bowood Hotel Spa and Golf Resort; Calne; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Enhanced holiday entitlement – 31 days

Meals on duty

Chef whites/uniform provided

Free on-site parking

Pension scheme

Discounted spa treatments and 50% off

Free entry to Bowood House & Gardens

Discounted golf membership after prob

Employee Assistance Programme

Career progression within a Wiltshire

Staff social events and supportive팀

Job summary

Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort in Wiltshire is seeking a Sous Chef for Conferences & Banqueting. You will lead and support a busy kitchen delivering exceptional food for weddings, corporate events, and high-profile functions within a luxury environment.

You will oversee banqueting kitchen operations, drive creativity and maintain high standards of presentation, portion control and food safety across services.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Sous Chef within a hotel, events or wedding venue kitchen.
• Experience working in conference and banqueting catering.
• Strong leadership and organisational skills.
• Knowledge of food safety and kitchen compliance.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and event schedules.
• Own transport is essential due to location.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head Chef in leading the Conference & Banqueting Kitchen.
• Deliver high-quality food for weddings, conferences and events.
• Maintain excellent standards of presentation, consistency and portion control.
• Lead, motivate and train junior chefs and kitchen staff.
• Ensure food safety, HACCP and hygiene standards are maintained at all times.
• Assist with menu development and event planning.
• Manage stock control, ordering and GP targets.
• Work collaboratively with Events and Front of House teams to ensure seamless service.
• Thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume hospitality environment.

Skills

Leadership

Food safety

Event catering

Banqueting

Job description

Are you a passionate Sous Chef looking for your next challenge in a luxury hotel and events environment? Do you want to be part of a kitchen brigade that takes pride in delivering outstanding food and memorable guest experiences in a fast-paced, high-quality environment?

At Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, we are seeking a talented and driven Sous Chef to lead and support our busy Conferencing & Banqueting Kitchen, delivering exceptional food experiences for weddings, corporate events, gala dinners, private celebrations and high-profile functions.

Set within the stunning Bowood Estate in Wiltshire, this is an exciting opportunity to join one of the region’s most prestigious hospitality venues and work within a professional, supportive and ambitious kitchen team.

The Role

As Sous Chef – Conferences & Banqueting, you will support the Head Chef in overseeing all banqueting kitchen operations, ensuring consistency, creativity and excellence across every service.

You will play a key role in delivering exceptional dining experiences for:

• Weddings & private events
• Corporate conferences
• Banqueting functions
• Fine dining occasions
• Large-scale hospitality events

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Head Chef in leading the Conference & Banqueting Kitchen
• Deliver high-quality food for weddings, conferences and events
• Maintain excellent standards of presentation, consistency and portion control
• Lead, motivate and train junior chefs and kitchen staff
• Ensure food safety, HACCP and hygiene standards are maintained at all times
• Assist with menu development and event planning
• Manage stock control, ordering and GP targets
• Work collaboratively with Events and Front of House teams to ensure seamless service
• Thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume hospitality environment

The ideal candidate will have

• Previous experience as a Sous Chef or strong Junior Sous Chef within a hotel, events, banqueting or wedding venue kitchen
• Experience working in conference and banqueting catering
• Strong leadership and organisational skills
• Passion for fresh food and high standards
• Ability to perform under pressure in a busy kitchen
• Knowledge of food safety and kitchen compliance
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and event schedules
• Own transport is essential due to location, easily commutable from Chippenham, Swindon, Devizes, Melksham, Bath and surrounding Wiltshire areas.

Benefits include

• Enhanced holiday entitlement – 31 days including Bank Holidays
• Meals on duty
• Chef whites/uniform provided
• Free on-site parking
• Pension scheme
• Discounted spa treatments and 50% off TEMPLESPA products
• Free entry to Bowood House & Gardens during open season
• Discounted golf membership after probation
• Employee Assistance Programme through Hospitality Action
• Career progression within a prestigious Wiltshire hospitality venue
• Staff social events and supportive team culture

If you’re an ambitious Sous Chef looking to progress your hospitality career within a luxury hotel and events kitchen, we would love to hear from you.

Among the finest luxury 4 star hotels in Wiltshire, a stay at Bowood is one never to be forgotten. Located in Calne, the hotel is at the heart of the Bowood Estate, where we offer dreamy overnight stays, delicious home-cooked cuisine and a very warm welcome. With our award-winning spa and championship golf course, a stay can be as busy or as relaxed as our clients wish.