Chef (Level 2 Qualified)

Job Introduction

Are you a level 2 qualified Chef? Are you fed up with working split shifts, late nights and every weekend? Would you like the security of working for one of the world’s largest employers? Are you passionate about excellent customer service? If you answer yes to all of these then you could be exactly who we are looking for.

Working within the largest integrated catering, retail and leisure facility on Merville Barracks, home to the British Army’s rapid response brigade and delivering the largest food offer across the entire Defence segment, your main role is to deliver an outstanding service to every customer every time.

Being an active part of a large team including Chefs; Kitchen Porters; Coffee Shop Retail Assistants and Retail Assistants, you will play a crucial role in achieving Sodexo’s mission statement of being a world leader in quality of life services

Colchester PFI is one of the most ambitious PFI projects undertaken, Merville Barracks is the home of the 16 Air Assault Brigade with 3500 military personnel on site. We are the showcase and benchmark for Sodexo global defence, helping to lead on strategy and vision for the future

We are a key partner to the Ministry of Defence, running services at major UK and overseas military bases which improve quality of life for our military personnel. The impact of change and uncertainty as consolidation occurs throughout the armed forces, set against a backdrop of today’s rapidly changing world, makes the preservation of high standards even more important than ever. We are dedicated to delivering the best quality as well as cost-efficiency in the delivery of infrastructure, facilities management, catering, retail and leisure services to the armed forces community

Role Responsibility

As a qualified Chef, you will be responsible for the preparation, cooking and storing of all foods within the kitchen and ensuring the quality of the product complies with Sodexo’s standards at all times as well as meeting food safety and health & safety regulations. There will also be occasions where you will be expected to support other departments within the company at a variety of functions from barbecues to gala balls.

You will be a key figure in our flagship Pay as you Dine experience serving the soldiers and civilian staff their food as well as cooking it in front of their very eyes.  Interacting with our customers is a must and helps to create a home from home for our soldiers.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential

• NVQ Level 2 or equivalent qualification in professional cookery.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Able to work on own initiative within a team environment.
• Able to demonstrate attention to detail and adherence to standards.
• Able to provide 3 year's worth of referencing for security clearance.
• Able to work an average of 5 x 7.5 hour shifts per week on any day.
• Able to work between 06:00 and 21:00, Monday to Sunday.

Package Description

• Access to a very popular and generous employee discount scheme.
• Holiday entitlement of 20 days plus 8 bank holidays per year which increases with length of service.
• Full uniform provided including safety shoes and chef whites.
• Company sick pay entitlement of 5 full days after 6 months employment.
• No split shifts.
• Most weekends off - rota system in place.

About the Company

In the UK and Ireland, Sodexo employs some 35,000 employees to deliver integrated facilities management services to clients at over 2,000 locations in the corporate, healthcare, education, leisure, defence and justice sectors. With an annual turnover of over £1bn, we provide everything from catering, cleaning and reception to security, laboratory and grounds maintenance services, enabling our clients to focus on their core business

Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults within a regulated activity. Certain roles will require applicants to undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and/ or Disclosure Scotland.

We are building on our support to the Armed Forces community through the development of specific pathways within our recruitment process to further engage ex-forces personnel and reservists.  Those applying for roles with us who meet the essential criteria advertised under the ‘ideal candidate’ on the vacancy advertised are guaranteed to progress within the selection process.