Chef de Partie

University of Kent

Create exceptional food. Inspire great experiences. Build your culinary career.

We're looking for a passionate and talented Chef de Partie to join our culinary team at the University of Kent. This is an exciting opportunity to work within a vibrant university campus, preparing fresh, high-quality food across our diverse catering outlets, hospitality venues and events.

You'll become part of a supportive and professional kitchen team where innovation, quality and outstanding customer service are at the heart of everything we do. Whether you're preparing meals for students, staff, conference guests or special events, you'll play an important role in delivering an exceptional dining experience.

If you're looking to develop your career in a modern, fast-paced environment with excellent opportunities for progression, we'd love to hear from you.

Why Join Us?

We believe our people are our greatest asset, which is why we offer an excellent benefits package, including:

• Contributory pension scheme
• Career development through our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Digital GP access for you and your immediate family, plus wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Discounts at Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and other leading retailers
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets
• Cash rewards every time you spend with participating retailers
• Free wellness, mindfulness and fitness classes
• Exclusive discounts and offers for you, your friends and family
• Working 5 days out of 7
• A supportive team environment with genuine opportunities to develop your culinary career

About the Role

As Chef de Partie, you'll be responsible for managing your own section while supporting the wider kitchen team to consistently deliver fresh, nutritious and high-quality food across the University campus.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Preparing, cooking and presenting fresh food to the highest company and client standards.
• Running your designated section efficiently during breakfast, lunch, dinner and hospitality service.
• Supporting the Head Chef and Sous Chef with the day-to-day operation of the kitchen.
• Producing food for a variety of outlets including cafés, restaurants, hospitality functions and conferences.
• Maintaining excellent standards of food presentation, quality and consistency.
• Ensuring full compliance with food safety, HACCP, allergen management and health & safety legislation.
• Assisting with stock control, food ordering, rotation and minimising food waste.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues to ensure a smooth and efficient kitchen operation.
• Delivering excellent customer experiences while promoting a positive and welcoming campus environment.

About You

We're looking for someone who is enthusiastic, motivated and passionate about producing fantastic food.

You'll ideally have:

• Previous experience as a Chef de Partie or in a similar role within a busy catering or hospitality environment.
• A passion for fresh, seasonal food and high-quality ingredients.
• Strong culinary skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Knowledge of modern cooking techniques and current food trends.
• A good understanding of food safety, HACCP, allergens and health & safety legislation.
• The ability to remain organised and calm in a busy kitchen.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• A positive attitude with a willingness to learn and develop.
• A commitment to delivering exceptional food and customer service.

Why the University of Kent?

The University of Kent is home to a diverse community of students, staff and visitors from around the world. Every day brings something different, from bustling campus dining to conferences, graduation celebrations and hospitality events.

Joining our team means becoming part of a professional catering operation where you'll have the opportunity to develop your skills, work with fresh ingredients and contribute to creating memorable experiences for everyone who visits our campus.

If you're ready to take the next step in your culinary career, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and become part of our team at the University of Kent.

About Us

As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.

Job Reference: com/3107/43144001/52823964/SU #Universities & Colleges

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!