Sous Chef – Wattisham Airfield Pay: £16.65 per hour
⏰ Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Working Pattern: 5 days over 7
Shift PatternsEarly: 06:30 – 14:30
Late: 12:00 – 20:00
Meal Service TimesBreakfast: 07:00 – 08:30
Lunch: 12:00 – 13:30
Dinner: 17:00 – 20:00
Catering for up to 50 Service Personnel per day within a team of 6.
We are recruiting a motivated and experienced Sous Chef to join our catering team at Wattisham. This is a fantastic opportunity to work in a professional Defence catering environment, supporting the Head Chef in delivering high-quality, nutritious meals while leading and developing the kitchen team.
Key ResponsibilitiesSupport the Head Chef in the day-to-day running of the kitchen
Prepare, cook, and serve high-quality meals across all services
Supervise, motivate, and support kitchen staff to maintain standards
Ensure excellent food hygiene, safety, and cleanliness practices
Assist with menu planning, stock control, ordering, and allergen management
Deliver efficient service across all shift patterns
About YouPrevious experience essential in a similar role (Sous Chef or Senior Chef de Partie)
Culinary qualifications desirable (City & Guilds / NVQ or equivalent)
Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills
Passion for great food and quality service
Flexible, reliable, and comfortable working early and late shifts
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, (url removed) 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
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/2402/(phone number removed)/(phone number removed)/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