Job reference: SRF47762
Salary: £29,605 - 33,966 per annum plus Enhanced Pay outside of core working hours
Closing date: 26/08/2024
Department: Campus Commerce
Location: Whiteknights Reading UK
Employment type: AOS-Manual
Division: Catering Hotel & Conference Services
Hours Per Week: 36 hours per week
Job live date: 15/08/2024
Employment Basis/Type: Full Time, Permanent

Job Description

We are different so forget any ideas of what you think we do….


We are looking for a Sous Chef who shares our passion for great food to join us on our journey to create the best campus food experience. This post is a senior post within our team and will involve working with our Aspiring Chef team. This Post will help develop any aspiring chefs core skills and future progression within the team. 


We produce fresh, nutritious and tasty dishes from scratch, with our menus changing daily and following seasonality across six kitchens. ‘Remarkable Kitchens at a Remarkable University’ was how Radio 4’s Food Programme summed us up after visiting us. Our love of food is in the DNA of the University, as a global leader in teaching and research in and around Agriculture, Food, Nutrition and Sustainability as well as having our own farms that supply our kitchens. We are following an ambitious vision to be the best!


We are committed to the 24 Principles of Menus of Change, guiding our thinking around nutrition and sustainability. We are the first European Member of the Menus of Change Universities Research Collaborative (MCURC). MCURC is a group of 70 like-minded Universities committed to using academic and operational research to improve the health of individuals and the planet.

Visit www.reading.ac.uk/menusofchange to find out more. 


We are a relatively small team, so all our Chefs regularly move between sites, trading in different styles. We encourage everyone to contribute to the up-coming menus and are looking forward to holding development days where your creativity is only limited by your mind! All our colleagues play an equally important part in our operations, regardless of their role, including a large number of students working for us. We don’t permit shouting in any of our kitchens and insist everyone is called by their preferred first name.


Find out more about working in Hospitality in a University - https://youtu.be/r97ujErXPS8?feature=shared

Team Structure

The University operate three teams of Chefs, each reporting to a Head Chef covering our Hotel, Cafes, Bars, Event Catering and large Dining Halls. Staff regularly move between teams to ensure professional development.

You will have :

  • City and Guilds Hospitality and Catering - Level 2 (7132) or equivalent experience of a wide range of Hospitality settings
  • Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate
  • Keen interest in food, ability to develop dishes and knowledge of ingredients
  • Experience of leading a team
  • Excellent customer service focus
  • Ability to remain cheerful and calm under pressure.


Closing date: 26 August 2024

Interviews will be held: Eat @ square from 28 August 2024 onwards


Contact Name Karlene Gaskell

Contact Job Title Executive Chef

Contact Email address k.e.gaskell@reading.ac.uk

Alternative Contact Name Alex Maria

Alternative Contact Job Title Head Chef

Alternative Contact Email address: a.c.maria@reading.ac.uk


We welcome applications from both external and internal candidates. As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role can be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Internal candidates should discuss this with their line manager prior to applying.

We do not consider applications from individuals who do not have the right to work in the UK for this position.

All applications must be made via the University website.

Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. However, non-UK candidates who do not already have permission to work in the UK should note that by reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship will not be possible under the Skilled Worker Route. There is further information about this on the UK Visas and Immigration Website.


The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.

Take a look around the company https://www.reading.ac.uk/