Sous Chef | Monday to Friday

Thomas Franks; Tonbridge; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounts

Free meals

Volunteer leave

Parental leave

Cycle to work

Refer a friend

Training program

Team events

Pension

Career progression

Job summary

Thomas Franks is seeking a Sous Chef in Tonbridge to join our independent contract catering team. You will prepare daily meal service areas, ensure prompt, high-standard service and maintain rigorous hygiene practices.

The role involves stock management, training attendance and occasional front-of-house support, with emphasis on team-first performance. Ideal candidates have experience in fast-paced catering, strong English communication, and a proactive approach to food safety.

Qualifications

• Food hygiene certificate preferred.
• Experience in fast-paced catering is advantageous.
• Good English communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare all food service areas for the day.
• Ensure meals are served promptly to standards.
• Maintain hygiene and safety in line with regulations.
• Stock, prep and assist with orders.
• Clean as required; carry out cleaning duties.
• Attend meetings and training as required.
• Notify head chef of stock movements.
• Assist in front of house as needed.

Skills

Teamwork

English proficiency

Customer service

Food safety

Job description

A stunning independent prep school in Tonbridge, Kent for girls and boys aged 2-13. Catering for about 700 students and teachers daily, we offer a core feeding of Snacks and Lunch with lots of great hospitality and events. This location operates Monday to Friday; 41.6 weeks including holidays.

We currently have an excellent opportunity for a creative and effective Sous Chefto join the team at one of our fabulous locations in Tonbridge.

Key responsibilities:

• Prepare all Food service areas for the day's business relating to that meal service.
• Ensure that the prompt service of all meals and service at all times to the company / clients standards.
• To ensure that the methods of preparation and presentation comply with company expectations.
• Prepare, set-up, serve, clear, clean and store away any food, beverage or equipment required for daily service.
• Prepare all food for sale/service, following good hygiene and safety practices and to the standard specified.
• Restock and replenish stocks and consumables as required during service periods, pre-empt customer needs and achieve optimum customer service delivery.
• Keep the Front of house informed of any food running out and pre-empt any delays in customer waiting.
• Complete all / any necessary cleaning/hygiene duties.
• Serve customers, visitors and guest in line with company and client service standards and expectations.
• Empty, remove and store rubbish / recycle rubbish in the correct place.
• To assist in the preparation and placing of orders.
• Ensure that the kitchen operates in line with current health & safety regulations.
• To ensure all area in the Kitchen are left in a clean state at the end of each shift.
• To attend meetings and training courses as required.
• Notify the head chef of stock movements to ensure all products are ordered for forthcoming menus.

General Responsibilities:

• Ensure attendance to all staff meetings as required.
• Ensure that all policies and procedural requirements of both legislation and company are adhered to in order to promote a professional and flexible approach at all times.
• Ensure that the correct uniform is worn neatly and cleanly at all times.
• To ensure personal presentation is of the highest standard at all times.
• Ensure all necessary checks are carried out in the service and associated areas for food temperatures.
• Carry out all reasonable request of the management.
• As required provide cover for other staff during periods of absence.
• Be conscientious with regard to Health & Safety and report any hazards to the Head Chef or Location manager.

Key personal skills and attributes:

• Team working abilities, Listening skills, the ability to work on own initiative, impeccable personal presentation, hygiene and behaviour to others, Food hygiene certificate preferred.
• The ability to be adaptable and be flexible as necessary. Reliable, Honest and able to demonstrate an open attentive approach to customer service.
• Willingness to learn new skills and take some responsibility.
• Ability to manage some moderately heavy lifting, carrying, and pushing.
• Ability to demonstrate reasonable / good understanding and use of verbal English.
• Ability to demonstrate reasonable / good standard of written English and reading skills.
• Similar experience of customer and / or food preparation environment is preferred.

• Wider wallet scheme (discounts at major retailers, restaurants, gyms etc).
• Free meals on duty
• Volunteers leave – up to one day per year.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoptive leave.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Recommend a friend bonus.
• Unrivalled individual training and development.
• Well established apprenticeship programme.
• Team & company social events.
• Employee assistance programme.
• Workplace pension.
• Excellent career progression within a leading independent contract caterer.

About us

Thomas Franks is a founder led, fresh food catering business with a focus on excellence and service delivered with individuality, passion and style. We are unique in every approach and our clients, and our people are paramount to our daily success.

Disclaimer

All applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have the Right to Work in the UK to be considered for this role.

An enhanced DBS, Identity & reference checks (covering the last five years) will form part of the selection process. As an organisation using the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) Disclosure service to assess applicants' suitability for positions of trust, Thomas Franks Ltd complies fully with the DBS Code of Practice and undertakes to treat all applicants for positions fairly. We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and undertake not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure based on conviction or other information revealed. However, for any post in a school please be aware that any application is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such any criminal conviction, caution or bind-over must be declared.

Diversity and Inclusion at Thomas Franks

We actively encourage applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds and continue to develop a culture of growth and inclusion and would like to invite applications from groups who are currently under-represented, because we believe greater diversity leads to exceptional results and provides a better working life.