Job Description

We are looking for an outstanding, experienced Sous Chef to join our professional team, working in one of our busy restaurants.

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 partner with our suppliers to ensure only ethically sourced palm oil enters our kitchens.

The Role

Food & Beverage at the zoo includes, three main restaurants, as well as cafes and coffee houses, and our heritage zone including The Oakfield, The Square. You will be directly responsible for running the kitchen in your assigned restaurant, supporting the Head Chef in making sure the department is driving the provision of fresh, quality ingredients whilst meeting our sustainable values.

You will be assigned your own restaurant and kitchen, however you will be required to work in any of our Food & Beverage Outlets when required, which will give you a great opportunity to further develop your skills and knowledge.

You will:

• Run the day-to-day operation of the fast paced and exciting kitchens you are responsible for
• Devise and deliver menus ahead of competition, ensuring all venues at Chester Zoo maintain their 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
• 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

The Package

You\'ll be working a variety of shifts, sometimes during our core zoo opening hours, as well as evening or early morning work for events and functions. Contract hours are 40 per week, 5 days out of 7 on a rota basis including weekends and bank holidays

• Permanent contract
• \xc2\xa333,380.37 per annum based on 40 hours per week, increasing to \xc2\xa334,711.57 per annum from 01/04/2024
• 33 days annual leave
• Annual holiday buy/sell scheme
• Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off plus multiple complimentary tickets for your friends and family
• Access to healthcare plan and employee assistance programme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free travel to and from work on the X1 bus service from Chester and Ellesmere Port
• Perks discount programme with access to discounts from various retailers
• Discounted gym membership at Brio Leisure centres and other selected local gyms
• Employer contributory pension scheme with generous employer contributions

Our Requirements

• Demonstrable chef experience in a high-volume business
• An excellent understanding of current 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

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 500 permanent and 500 seasonal 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.

Shortlisting of applications and interviews for the role will take place while the advert is live; the advert will close once the successful candidate is found. Candidates are therefore encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible.

Chester Zoo