University of Nottingham
Second Chef/Deputy Head Chef
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Area
Catering - Halls
Location
UK Other
Salary
£26,908 to £28,890 per annum plus additional 15% payment for hours worked at the weekend. Posts will initially be offered at the minimum salary point with progression to the higher salary point achieved through an annual incremental pay rise.
Closing Date
Monday 20 July 2026
Reference
NHE011126X1
The University of Nottingham has been providing an outstanding student experience for over 140 years and is a leading university of worldwide significance with established campuses in UK, China and Malaysia. Our award-winning Nottingham campus is only 15 minutes by bus or tram to our vibrant city centre.
Your role as Second Chef
We’re looking for an enthusiastic, motivated Chef to join our award-winning catering team at the University of Nottingham.
Based at either University Park or Jubilee Campus, you’ll be at the heart of one of our busy student Halls of Residence — supporting and deputising for the Head Chef to lead both kitchen and front-of-house operations.
About The Role
This is a fantastic opportunity for a chef who is passionate about fresh, quality food and looking to take the next step in their career.
- Prepare and serve consistent, high-quality meals for our resident students during term time
- Cater for a variety of events, conferences, and weddings (up to 350 guests) during vacation periods
- Step up in the Head Chef’s absence to lead the team and ensure smooth operations
- Get involved in everything from formal banquets to lively student dining
Location: University Park or Jubilee Campus
This is a hands-on role that demands leadership, creativity, and a genuine love for food.
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What’s in it for you?
- Great work-life balance – sociable hours compared to most hospitality roles
- Job security – a permanent, year-round contract with one of the UK’s top universities
- Career development – structured training, support, and industry-recognised qualifications to help you grow
- Generous holiday allowance – 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and additional university closure days
- Excellent staff benefits – including Employee Assistance Programme, supplier discounts, travel schemes, and access to state-of-the-art sports facilities
- Supportive environment – join a professional, friendly team with regular staff events and networks
- Tools & perks – uniform provided and everything you need to do your job well
What We’re Looking For
We’re seeking someone who is:
- Qualified to 706 1/2 or NVQ 1/2 in Food Production, or has relevant experience in a busy kitchen environment
- A confident chef with excellent cooking skills and supervisory experience
- Comfortable with stock management and using Microsoft Office software
- A strong team player with attention to detail and a genuine passion for food
Working hours
- 36.25 hours per week, across 5 days out of 7 (mainly 11.15am–7.30pm), including regular weekends. Hours worked at the weekend will be enhanced by an additional 15% payment.
- Occasional early shifts (6.00am–2.15pm) or late finishes (up to 10.00pm) during special events
- Flexibility is required — and job share arrangements may be considered
The recruitment process
The interview process includes a short interview and a practical skills test (around 2 hours). Full details will be provided to shortlisted candidates
Get help with your application
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If you are interested on this position, please click 'apply now' and submit your application.
If you have any informal inquires, please contact Dave Butler - dave.butler@nottingham.ac.uk. Applications sent to this e-mail will not be considered.
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Further details:
Job Description/Role Profile
Our university is a supportive, inclusive, caring and positive community. We welcome those of different cultures, ethnicities and beliefs – indeed this very diversity is vital to our success, it is fundamental to our values and enriches life on campus. Visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion website.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) employer. Increasing the diversity of our community is extremely important to us and we are committed to the aims of Disability Confident Scheme.
We are the first university to have achieved Athena Swan Gold Award.
To help you succeed, we published Candidate Guidance to provide support on the application and interview process.
Discover our benefits, visit Your Benefits website.
We welcome applications from UK, Europe and worldwide and aim to make your move to the UK as smooth as possible. Visit the Moving to Nottingham page for details.
This position does not fulfil the UK Visas & Immigration sponsorship criteria for Skilled Worker, therefore we can only accept applications from candidates who already have the right to work in UK.
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