ESS – Defence, Energy and Government Services
Sous Chef
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Sous Chef - Blandford Camp
35 hours per week | £32,465 per annum
We’re looking for an experienced, hands-on Sous Chef to support the delivery of high-quality catering within the Sergeants’ Mess at Blandford Camp. This is a fantastic opportunity for a strong kitchen professional who enjoys leading from the front, working closely with their team, and producing excellent food in a structured, high-volume environment.
This role combines daily feeding for Service Personnel with a strong emphasis on functions and events, which form a key part of the catering offer.
What you’ll be doing
- Preparing and delivering high-quality, nutritious meals for Service Personnel
- Supporting daily feeding numbers of approximately 40 Sergeants and up to 350 Junior Ranks
- Playing a key role in the planning and delivery of functions and events (core focus of the role)
- Leading from the front in a hands-on Sous Chef position
- Supporting, motivating, and developing a kitchen team of around 15 colleagues
- Ensuring excellent food presentation, consistency, and service standards
- Managing food ordering, stock control, and waste minimisation
- Maintaining the highest standards of food hygiene, cleanliness, and safety
- Supporting budget control and contributing to financial targets
- Ensuring full compliance with Food Safety and Health & Safety regulations
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What we’re looking for
- Proven experience as a Sous Chef or Senior Chef in a similar environment
- A hands-on leader who enjoys working alongside their team
- Strong organisational and communication skills
- Ability to support and manage a team effectively
- Calm under pressure in a high-volume catering setting
- Reliable, flexible, and able to adapt to changing Mess schedules
- A safety-first mindset with a genuine passion for food and service
Benefits
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
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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/0907/95952001/52684675/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!
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