Commis Chef

Commis Chef – Hindleap Warren Educational Outdoor Centre
Location: Hindleap Warren, East Sussex
Salary: £25,500 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 Commis Chef 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:

• Support the Head Chef and wider kitchen team in the preparation and service of breakfast, lunch, and dinner

• Maintain high standards of food hygiene, safety, and cleanliness at all times

• Follow daily food production schedules and portion control standards

• Assist in the preparation of ingredients and simple dishes under supervision

• Set up and clear down the kitchen and service areas as required

• Ensure proper storage and labelling of all food items

• Participate in stock rotation and assist with deliveries

• Help with washing up and general kitchen duties as required

• Work cooperatively in a small team to meet mealtime deadlines

• Contribute to a positive, respectful, and team-oriented kitchen culture

Qualifications and Experience:

• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2) – required

• NVQ Level 1 or 2 in Professional Cookery or equivalent – preferred but not essential

• Experience in a kitchen or catering environment – desirable

• Understanding of basic food safety and kitchen hygiene practices

• Willingness to learn and take direction from senior chefs

• Strong work ethic and ability to work calmly under pressure

• Positive attitude and team-focused approach

• Flexibility to work shifts across weekdays and weekends

• Passion for food and interest in progressing within a kitchen team

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 applicants will 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.