Chef Apprentice

Job Introduction

• 35 hours per week
• 5 over 7 days per week
• £12.71 per hour 
• Free Car parking

About the role:

Just Left School? Uni Not Your Thing? Ready to Cook Up a Career While Earning on the Job?

This is your moment!  A game-changing opportunity has landed at Sodexo! one of the UK’s most dynamic and diverse employers — and it could be the start of something BIG! 

We’re on the lookout for passionate, energetic, food-loving individuals to join us as Apprentice Chefs through our Sodexo Apprentice Culinary Academy. Whether you dream of running your own kitchen or creating dishes that make people smile, this is where your culinary career begins.

Sodexo is looking for a motivated Chef Apprentice to join our dynamic kitchen team at Merville Barracks, Circular Road South, Colchester, CO2 7UT

Important: Open Recruitment Day – 6 November 2026

All candidates must attend our open recruitment day on Friday 6 November 2026 to be considered for these Apprentice Chef positions.

The event will give you the opportunity to meet the team, find out more about the roles and contract, and learn about the opportunities available to develop and progress your career.

What you’ll do:

• A fully funded Level 2 Chef Apprenticeship qualification
• Real job experience in a fast-paced, professional kitchen — learning from talented chefs
• Ongoing mentorship, training, and support via the Sodexo Apprentice Culinary Academy
• Specialist culinary masterclasses, events and competitions, including Plant Forward, Nutrition, and Chocolatier Masterclasses!
• A role that evolves with you. Grow your skills, shape your own journey, and build a career you’re proud of

What we’re looking for:

• A passion for food and a keen interest in a career as a chef
• Willingness to learn and work as part of a team
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to high standards
• Good verbal communication skills

Who is this for?

• Just finished school or college and not sure what’s next?
• Uni not worked out, but you still want a qualification and career?
• Love food, cooking, and making people happy through great meals?
• Confident, curious, and keen to get stuck in with a can-do attitude?
• Ready to learn, grow, and take your skills to the next level?

No previous kitchen experience is needed — just a genuine passion for food and a willingness to learn.

 About Sodexo

We’re one of the UK’s leading hospitality and facilities management providers, delivering services to schools, hospitals, defence sites, corporate offices and more. Through our Apprentice Culinary Academy, we invest in the next generation of chefs — and that could be you.

 Apply Now:

Ready to get started? Join the Sodexo today.

Click Apply Now to find out more and start your journey.

 Find your flavour with Sodexo. Shape your future, shape lives.

Join Sodexo and start your journey towards becoming a skilled chef in a company that values growth and development.

Apply now and take the first step in your culinary career!

Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we are in receipt of a high number of applications