We have an exciting opportunity to work as part of a growing team, working in a truly unique environment at the UK's number 1 zoo As part of the Food and Beverage team, the Sous Chef will be responsible for the daily management of the Chef team working on Islands, our Asian inspired restaurant Manado's.
All of our kitchens are led by our sustainable values. We work hard to source high quality, local and seasonal produce, are making progress towards zero waste kitchens by 2030. We also collaborate with our suppliers to ensure only ethically sourced palm oil enters our kitchens.
Our venues, all held within our 128 acre site of stunning gardens, will jointly operate a turnover of £12.5 million. As a not for profit, everything we make is ploughed into conservation both here in the UK and around the world. Your role has a huge part to play in delivering our mission.
The Role
As part of our team of Chefs, you'll prepare and cook food working predominantly in Manado restaurant.
Our Sous Chefs take a lead role supporting our Executive Head Chef and Head Chef. They run the daily back of house operation in Manado, training and mentoring our brigade of Chefs. They help to devise and develop on-trend menu's with a twist. Working closely with the front of house team, they ensure we deliver a world-class experience for all customers.
You will:
Run the day-to-day operation of the fast paced and exciting kitchens you are responsible for.
Devise and deliver on-trend restaurant menus ahead of competition, ensuring all venues at Chester Zoo maintains its world class reputation as a world class visitor attraction.
Produce food for customers of Chester Zoo's restaurants and events to the highest standards in order to maximise profit and deliver a world class experience.
Train and mentor Lead Chefs and Chef de Parties, ensuring an effective and efficient work practice.
Work collaboratively with the front of house team to ensure seamless delivery and world class customer service.
Take the lead in ensuring health and hygiene policies and associated legislation (HACCP, etc) are completed and ensure team members adhere to, policies, standard operating procedures and safe working practices including food safety systems.
Ensure the team are trained to correctly manage stock on a day-to-day basis, are able to place orders in a timely fashion, accept deliveries, ensuring they are correct and rotate stock as required.
Complete weekly staff rotas for your team in a timely fashion.
Complete monthly stocktakes for your restaurant, achieving monthly set GP% targets, ensuring team members are adhering to food specs created by the Head Chef.
What makes Chester Zoo a great place to work?
As the UK's biggest and best zoo, we have ambitious goals, exciting plans, and there's always lots going on here. We're an inclusive and diverse organisation, made up of over 600 permanent and 500 temporary team members, and we know how important it is to invest in our colleagues to help boost their career development. We have ambitious goals, and we want you to be with us for the long term on our exciting journey.
Our futures depend on the sustainable work we do today, and our team of Chefs are conscious that every little effort counts. We work alongside the Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil to ensure all palm oil used is certified sustainable, and during 2018 our food and beverage department removed over 2 million pieces of plastic from our operation.
Why Join Us?
Working with us means being part of something bigger. Every role plays a vital part in supporting our conservation mission, and we're committed to supporting our people in return.
This role offers the opportunity to work within a unique venue setting, supporting our vibrant and varied events calendar. Alongside working core zoo opening hours, you'll help deliver a number of evening events each year, from elegant weddings to high-profile corporate functions and seasonal late-night openings. Your contract hours are 40 per week, and you'll be paid overtime for all agreed overtime.
The Package:
Permanent contract
£35,497 per annum
Overtime available - this will be paid for agreed additional hours.
33 days annual leave
Staff family pass - so you can visit the zoo during your time off
Multiple complimentary tickets for your friends and family.
Access to healthcare plan
Complimentary access to a variety of staff events and special experiences held throughout the year.
Employer contributory pension scheme
Our Requirements:
Demonstrable chef experience in a high-volume business, preferably gained within a leading British Gastro Pub
An excellent understanding of current gastro and event food & trends
Experience of leading a chef team
An excellent communicator and with a passion for coaching and developing a team
Excellent customer service and teamwork skills
Although not essential, the following would be desirable:
A Food Safety Level 3 qualification is preferable
Want more info?
As part of our selection process, we'd be delighted to invite you to meet the team, explore our kitchen, and gain a real insight into what a typical day in this role looks like. It's a great opportunity to experience our working environment first-hand and see how your skills could contribute to our mission.
If you're excited about joining us or would like an informal conversation with Ben Finchett our Executive Head Chef to learn more, we'd love to hear from you. Please send your CV to to express your interest.
Please be aware we reserve the right to close our vacancies earlier than the listed date if we have received a high level of applications. We would recommend that if you do wish to be considered that you complete the application as promptly as possible as shortlisting and interviews may be taking place whilst the advert is live.