Sous Chef

Sous Chef
Salary: Up to £35,000 per annum dependent upon experience + Benefits
Hours: Full time 40 hours per week, 5 days over 7 to include weekends and bank holidays
Based at Ampleforth Abbey YO62 4EN
Closing date: Tuesday 14th April
Benefits
- Up to 8% employer-matched pension
- Life assurance
- Free lunch during working hours
- Free on-site parking
- 20% discount at the Tea room and Abbey Shop
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Christmas Closure
- Historic Houses and Yorkshire Great Houses, Castles and Gardens passes to borrow
- Employee Assistance programme
- Retail savings platform
- 50% discount on fitness suite, swimming and other activities at St Albans Centre
About Ampleforth Abbey
Ampleforth Abbey is home to the UK’s largest Benedictine monastic community, rooted in the Rule of St Benedict. Our mission is to seek God through prayer and service, and to invite others to experience faith in action.
Located in the Howardian Hills near York, the Abbey sits within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and welcomes thousands of visitors each year to its Retreat Centre, Visitor Centre, Shop and Tea Room.
Ampleforth Abbey Trust, a registered charity, works alongside the monastic community to support this mission. With around 60 lay staff, the Trust delivers on a five-year strategy, choosing a Future Together, to ensure a sustainable, faith-led future for the Abbey and its valley home.
We are looking for a Sous Chef to support the Head Chef in the daily operation of the Abbey kitchens including the tea room and main monastery, ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality, freshly prepared food. This role combines strong culinary skills with leadership responsibilities, while respecting the calm, reflective, and historic nature of the monastic environment.
The Sous Chef plays a key role in maintaining excellent standards of food quality, hygiene, and efficiency, helping to create a welcoming and memorable experience for all visitors.
If you enjoy working in a friendly peaceful atmosphere, meeting new people, being part of a hardworking team Ampleforth Abbey is perfect for you!
Main Responsibilities but not limited to:-
Kitchen Operations
* Assist the Head Chef & Executive Chef in the day-to-day running of the kitchens
* Prepare, cook, and present food to a high standard, in line with the tearoom menu and monetary menus
* Ensure smooth service during busy periods, maintaining consistency and quality
* Step into the Head Chef role in their absence
Team Leadership
* Supervise and support kitchen staff, including assistants and volunteers
* Assist with training, mentoring, and developing team members
* Promote a positive, respectful, and collaborative working environment
Food Quality & Menu Support
* Contribute to menu development, including seasonal and locally inspired dishes
* Ensure all food is prepared using fresh ingredients and presented attractively
* Maintain portion control and minimise waste
Stock & Kitchen Management
* Assist with stock control, ordering, and supplier relationships
* Ensure proper storage, rotation, and labelling of ingredients
* Support cost control and efficient use of resources
Standards & Compliance
* Maintain high standards of food hygiene, cleanliness, and organisation
* Ensure compliance with all food safety, health and safety, and environmental regulations
* Keep accurate records (e.g. temperature logs, cleaning schedules)
Experience
You will have:
Essential:
* Previous experience as a Sous Chef or strong Chef de Partie ready to step up
* Solid knowledge of food preparation, cooking techniques, and kitchen operations
* Understanding of food hygiene and safety standards (Level 2 minimum; Level 3 desirable) Allergens
* Ability to work efficiently under pressure and manage multiple tasks
* Strong communication and team leadership skills
* Own transport essential due to rural location
Desirable:
* Experience in a café, tearoom, or high-volume visitor attraction
* Interest in seasonal, locally sourced, or traditional British cuisine
* Experience working with volunteers or within a heritage or faith-based setting
Personal Qualities
* Calm, organised, and reliable under pressure
* Respectful of the abbey’s spiritual and historic environment
* Positive, hands-on approach with strong attention to detail
* Ability to work in a quiet, reflective setting while maintaining efficiency
* Flexible and supportive team player
Working Conditions
- 40 hours per week, including weekends, bank holidays, and peak seasons
- Fast-paced kitchen during busy visitor periods
- Standing for long periods and manual handling required
Ampleforth Abbey Trust is committed to the highest standards of safeguarding. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.
Interested? If you feel that you possess the relevant skills and experience, then please send your cv.
Equals One is an advertising and recruitment agency working on behalf of our client to promote this vacancy. You may be contacted directly by the employer should they wish to progress your application. Due to the number of applications we receive, we are unable to provide specific feedback if your application is unsuccessful