Sous Chef
Salary: Up to £35,000 per annum dependent upon experience + Benefits
Hours: Full time 40 hours per week, 5 days over 7 to include weekends and bank holidays
Based at YO62
Closing date: Tuesday 14th April
Benefits
Up to 8% employer-matched pension
Life assurance
Free lunch during working hours
Free on-site parking
20% discount at the Tea room and Abbey Shop
Cycle to Work Scheme
Christmas Closure
Historic Houses and Yorkshire Great Houses, Castles and Gardens passes to borrow
Employee Assistance programme
Retail savings platform
50% discount on fitness suite, swimming and other activities at St Albans Centre
About us
We are home to the UKs largest Benedictine monastic community, rooted in the Rule of St Benedict. Our mission is to seek God through prayer and service, and to invite others to experience faith in action.
Located in the Howardian Hills near York, the Abbey sits within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and welcomes thousands of visitors each year to its Retreat Centre, Visitor Centre, Shop and Tea Room.
The Trust, a registered charity, works alongside the monastic community to support this mission. With around 60 lay staff, the Trust delivers on a five-year strategy, choosing a Future Together, to ensure a sustainable, faith-led future for the Abbey and its valley home.
We are looking for a Sous Chef to support the Head Chef in the daily operation of the Abbey kitchens including the tea room and main monastery, ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality, freshly prepared food. This role combines strong culinary skills with leadership responsibilities, while respecting the calm, reflective, and historic nature of the monastic environment.
The Sous Chef plays a key role in maintaining excellent standards of food quality, hygiene, and efficiency, helping to create a welcoming and memorable experience for all visitors.
If you enjoy working in a friendly peaceful atmosphere, meeting new people, being part of a hardworking team then this role is perfect for you!
Main Responsibilities but not limited to:-
Kitchen Operations
Assist the Head Chef & Executive Chef in the day-to-day running of the kitchens
Prepare, cook, and present food to a high standard, in line with the tearoom menu and monetary menus
Ensure smooth service during busy periods, maintaining consistency and quality
Step into the Head Chef role in their absence
Team Leadership
Supervise and support kitchen staff, including assistants and volunteers
Assist with training, mentoring, and developing team members
Promote a positive, respectful, and collaborative working environment
Food Quality & Menu Support
Contribute to menu development, including seasonal and locally inspired dishes
Ensure all food is prepared using fresh ingredients and presented attractively
Maintain portion control and minimise waste
Stock & Kitchen Management
Assist with stock control, ordering, and supplier relationships
Ensure proper storage, rotation, and labelling of ingredients
Support cost control and efficient use of resources
Standards & Compliance
Maintain high standards of food hygiene, cleanliness, and organisation
Ensure compliance with all food safety, health and safety, and environmental regulations
Keep accurate records (e.g. temperature logs, cleaning schedules)
Experience
You will have:
Essential:
Previous experience as a Sous Chef or strong Chef de Partie ready to step up
Solid knowledge of food preparation, cooking techniques, and kitchen operations
Understanding of food hygiene and safety standards (Level 2 minimum; Level 3 desirable) Allergens
Ability to work efficiently under pressure and manage multiple tasks
Strong communication and team leadership skills
Own transport essential due to rural location
Desirable:
Experience in a café, tearoom, or high-volume visitor attraction
Interest in seasonal, locally sourced, or traditional British cuisine
Experience working with volunteers or within a heritage or faith-based setting
Personal Qualities
Calm, organised, and reliable under pressure
Respectful of the abbeys spiritual and historic environment
Positive, hands-on approach with strong attention to detail
Ability to work in a quiet, reflective setting while maintaining efficiency
Flexible and supportive team player
Working Conditions
40 hours per week, including weekends, bank holidays, and peak seasons
Fast-paced kitchen during busy visitor periods
Standing for long periods and manual handling required
The Trust is committed to the highest standards of safeguarding. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.
Interested? If you feel that you possess the relevant skills and experience, then please send your cv.
Equals One is an advertising and recruitment agency working on behalf of our client to promote this vacancy. You may be contacted directly by the employer should they wish to progress your application. Due to the number of applications we receive, we are unable to provide specific feedback if your application is unsuccessful.
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