Job Description

Company Description

Chef de Partie - Hindleap Warren Educational Outdoor Centre

Location:

Hindleap Warren, East Sussex

Salary:

30,000 per annum

Contract:

Full-time, 52-week operation

Working Pattern:

5 out of 7 days, including regular weekends


We are currently seeking an enthusiastic and reliable

Chef de Partie

to join our friendly kitchen team at

Hindleap Warren Educational Outdoor Centre

, a well-established residential outdoor education setting nestled in the heart of East Sussex.


If you're passionate about developing your culinary skills in a supportive environment and want to be part of a team that fuels fun, learning and adventure -- this is the role for you.

About the Centre:

Hindleap Warren delivers high-quality outdoor learning experiences to children and young people year-round. Operating 7 days a week (with a short closure at Christmas), the kitchen provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner services for both guests and staff.


We cater for up to

185 people

daily, averaging around

140-150

, which allows for a dynamic yet manageable kitchen operation.

Why Join Us?

Great opportunity for a budding chef to grow in a fast-paced but nurturing kitchen Regular working patterns with clear shifts Supportive team environment focused on quality and consistency Free meals during shifts Uniform provided Training and development opportunities to progress your career

Key Responsibilities:

Take responsibility for a specific section of the kitchen (e.g., hot, cold, prep) and ensure consistent high standards of food preparation and presentation Work closely with the Senior Teams to plan menus, contribute ideas, and deliver meals to agreed quality and nutritional standards Prepare and cook meals for up to 185 people daily, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner for residential guests and staff Oversee junior kitchen team members, providing training, support, and supervision as needed Maintain food hygiene and safety standards in line with legislation and organisational procedures (including HACCP) Ensure efficient stock control, rotation, labelling, and assist with deliveries and storage Help manage kitchen cleaning schedules and ensure compliance with food safety audits Support in catering for special diets and allergens, working accurately from dietary notes Contribute to the smooth running of service, taking initiative and communicating effectively under pressure Provide occasional support for hospitality or special event catering when required

Qualifications

Qualifications and Experience:

NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Professional Cookery (or equivalent) Food Hygiene Certificate - Level 2 minimum (Level 3 desirable) Proven experience in a busy kitchen, ideally in volume catering or residential settings Confidence in running a kitchen section independently and mentoring junior staff Strong understanding of food safety, allergen management, and kitchen compliance Ability to multitask, stay calm under pressure, and work to tight service deadlines Flexibility to work shifts across 5 days out of 7, including weekends Enthusiasm for producing fresh, nutritious food in a supportive, education-focused environment A collaborative and proactive attitude, with a genuine interest in developing others and improving kitchen standards

Additional Information

Holroyd Howe is one of the UK's leading contract caterers, providing fresh innovative food services solely to independent schools and colleges. We are a team of experienced professionals who tailor our catering service provision specifically to suit children of all ages in order to meet the bespoke requirements of each school.


To provide our teams with the right skills to succeed in their jobs, we invest in their training and development. Our exceptional teams of seasoned specialists customise our catering services to fit children of all ages and satisfy the unique needs of our clients.

We pride ourselves on:

Sustainability

Sustainability is at the heart of our thinking; always mindful of the ethics of our sourcing and how we prepare our meals.

Nutrition

We take nutrition seriously and understand the impact a healthy diet has on the fundamental years of development. Meals are always freshly prepared from scratch and packed with nutritious ingredients.

Food Innovation

We offer a wide portfolio of training opportunities and experiences, which attracts chefs who are passionate about culinary excellence and menu innovation to our team.


From tasting tables, theme days and food theatre, to chef demonstrations and supplier showcases, we create engaging and fun dining experiences for our students. We work together to make mealtimes exploratory, quirky, and fun for our pupils, helping them build strong and healthy relationships with food.

Holroyd Howe is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all employees to share this commitment. All roles within Holroyd Howe involve regulated activity

.

It is a criminal offence for individuals barred from working with children to apply for such roles

.

An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including a Barred List check will be required for all successful applicants. Shortlisted applicantswill be asked to provide information about relevant criminal offences and will be subject to an online search of publicly available information. This search helps identify any issues that may affect suitability to work with children.


This appointment is offered on the return of satisfactory professional references.