Job Description

Sous Chef

Bayards Court, Dartmouth

£20.36 per hour

35 hours per week – no late nights, no split shifts

Creating dishes that feel like home, with a better work-life balance

At Vivant Care, food is more than nourishment – it’s an experience that brings joy and connection. As our Sous Chef, you’ll play a key role in crafting menus that delight, supporting the Head Chef to deliver restaurant-quality dishes that feel fresh, comforting and full of flavour, without the long hours or split shifts often found in hospitality.

This isn’t just about cooking – it’s about teamwork, creativity and making mealtimes something residents truly look forward to. If you’re passionate about food, thrive in a fast-paced kitchen and take pride in doing things right, you’ll feel right at home here.

Your role

• Support high-quality food service operations, maintaining hygiene and safety standards
• Assist in supervising kitchen colleagues and ensuring culinary excellence
• Manage inventory, orders and budgets in line with organisational policies
• Contribute to seasonal menu planning, including special dietary needs
• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations and internal procedures
• Engage with residents to gather feedback and enhance dining satisfaction
• Collaborate on special events and private dining experiences
• Provide kitchen leadership in the absence of the Head Chef

Your skills

• Experience cooking for large groups in high-end environments
• Proven ability to manage deadlines, workloads and supervise teams
• Familiarity with online stock systems and budget monitoring
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Good understanding of written and spoken English
• Calm and controlled response to emergencies, prioritising resident safety

Your rewards

You deserve more than the basics. That’s why, alongside 28 days’ annual leave pro rata (including bank holidays), occupational sick pay linked to length of service, and a contributory pension, we’ve created a package to help you thrive:

• CQC inspection bonus
• Health and wellbeing support – including Aviva Digicare+ with virtual GP appointments, plus an Employee Assistance Programme offering medical, financial, and legal advice, as well as short-term counselling
• Company-paid life insurance
• Parental leave arrangements, paid volunteering days, and annual leave purchase scheme
• Company-funded training and ongoing career development opportunities, including our Team Leader Development Programme
• Flexible working options and an inclusive culture where everyone belongs, supported by our Youth Panel and networks, including PRISM, Disability, Race Equality and Parent networks
• Ferry concession costs will be reimbursed on a monthly basis, where required to travel to work
• Free meals on long shifts and access to thoughtfully designed wellbeing spaces created exclusively for our teams
• Exclusive retail discounts, Cycle to Work, and salary sacrifice arrangements

Some rewards are subject to a qualifying period or other criteria – visit our website for more information.

Why Vivant? With over 25 years of experience from Sanctuary Care behind us, Vivant Care is built on a foundation of trusted expertise and a bold vision for the future of care. When you join Vivant Care, you’re not just stepping into a role – you’re helping shape a new standard for later-life living.

Curious about what it’s like to work with us? Discover our values, culture, and real stories from our teams at www.vivant-care.co.uk/jobs or follow us on socials.

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Before you apply

• We can only accept applications from individuals with the right to work in the UK.
• All roles require safeguarding and pre-employment checks, including criminal records and overseas police checks if needed; for more information, please get in touch.
• Internal candidates should apply via their internal careers account.
• We may close this advert early, so please apply as soon as possible.

Inclusion is one of our core values We’re committed to being a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process in line with our Disability Confident employer status.