Head Chef

Job Introduction

• 40 hours per week
• 5 days out of 7
• Shift Patterns :

Early: 06:00 – 14:30

Middle:08:00 – 16:30

Late:10:00 – 1830

• £16.82 per hour

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Are you an experienced Head Chef looking for a rewarding role where you can makea real impact? Sodexo is seeking a passionate and talented Head Chef to leadour catering team at our Ministry of Defence site in Aldershot. This is an exciting opportunity to showcase yourculinary expertise, inspire a dedicated team, and deliver high-quality,nutritious meals to those who serve our country. Working in a professional andfast-paced environment, you will play a key role in maintaining exceptionalfood standards, driving innovation, and ensuring every meal is prepared withcare, quality, and pride.

What you’ll do:

• Lead, manage and motivate the kitchen team, supervising Chefs and catering staff while supporting their training, development, and performance.
• Prepare, cook, and deliver high-quality meals within agreed budgets and client requirements, ensuring all food standards and customer expectations are consistently met.
• Plan and cost menus for daily service and functions, working closely with the Catering Manager to meet operational and customer needs.
• Maintain the highest standards of food safety, hygiene, and quality control in line with Sodexo Defence Services procedures, HACCP principles, Food Safety legislation, and COSHH requirements.
• Manage food stock control, including ordering, deliveries, storage, stock checks, and monitoring of food safety records such as temperature checks.
• Ensure the effective operation of the kitchen, including correct use and maintenance of equipment, completion of compliance checks, and continuous improvement of personal and team skills.

What you'llbring:

• Proven experience as a Head Chef, Sous Chef, or senior kitchen leader within a high-volume catering, hospitality, or contract catering environment.
• Strong experience managing and motivating a kitchen team, with the ability to lead, coach, and develop colleagues.
• A passion for delivering high-quality food, with experience in menu planning, food preparation, and service delivery.
• Excellent knowledge of food safety, hygiene standards, HACCP principles, and health & safety regulations.
• Experience managing budgets, stock control, ordering, and maintaining efficient kitchen operations.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, ideally with experience in Defence, military, government, or large-scale catering (desirable).

What we offer:

Working with Sodexo is more thanjust a job; it’s an opportunity to be part of something greater. You’ll bevalued for who you are, have the chance to make a positive impact through youreveryday work, and be supported to thrive in your own way.

In addition, we offer:

• Mental health & wellbeing support
• Employee Assistance Programme offering personal, legal, and financial advice
• 24/7 virtual GP and lifestyle rewards
• Discounts for you and your family
• Financial wellbeing tools and retirement plans
• Cycle to Work scheme and Paid Volunteering Day

Lead the kitchen at our AldershotMOD site as Head Chef, delivering exceptional food, inspiring your team, andmaking a real impact every day with Sodexo Defence Services!