Chef Apprentice

About the role

35 hours per week5 over 7 days per week £12.21 per hour

Free Car parking

Just Left School? Uni Not Your Thing? Ready to Cook Up a Career While Earning on the Job?

This is your moment! A game-changing opportunity has landed at Sodexo! one of the UK’s most dynamic and diverse employers — and it could be the start of something BIG!

We’re on the lookout for passionate, energetic, food-loving individuals to join us as Apprentice Chefs through our Sodexo Apprentice Culinary Academy. Whether you dream of running your own kitchen or creating dishes that make people smile, this is where your culinary career begins.

Sodexo is looking for a motivated Chef Apprentice to join our dynamic kitchen team at Merville Barracks, Circular Road South, Colchester, CO2 7UT

• A fully funded Level 2 Chef Apprenticeship qualification
• Real job experience in a fast-paced, professional kitchen — learning from talented chefs
• Ongoing mentorship, training, and support via the Sodexo Apprentice Culinary Academy
• Specialist culinary masterclasses, events and competitions, including Plant Forward, Nutrition, and Chocolatier Masterclasses!
• A role that evolves with you. Grow your skills, shape your own journey, and build a career you’re proud of

• A passion for food and a keen interest in a career as a chef
• Willingness to learn and work as part of a team
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to high standards
• Good verbal communication skills

Just finished school or college and not sure what’s next?

Uni not worked out, but you still want a qualification and career?

Love food, cooking, and making people happy through great meals?

Confident, curious, and keen to get stuck in with a can-do attitude?

Ready to learn, grow, and take your skills to the next level?

No previous kitchen experience is needed—just a genuine passion for food and a willingness to learn.

• “Perks at Work” platform — discounts on cinema, restaurants, retail and more
• Free meals on duty (site dependent)
• Uniform and personal protective equipment provided
• Holiday allowance + bank holidays
• Wellbeing and mental health support
• Opportunity to take part in national chef competitions and events
• Be part of a diverse, supportive team where your career really matters

We’re one of the UK’s leading hospitality and facilities management providers, delivering services to schools, hospitals, defence sites, corporate offices and more. Through our Apprentice Culinary Academy, we invest in the next generation of chefs — and that could be you.

Ready to get started? Join the Sodexo today. Click Apply Now to find out more and start your journey. Find your flavour with Sodexo. Shape your future, shape lives. Join Sodexo and start your journey towards becoming a skilled chef in a company that values growth and development. Apply now and take the first step in your culinary career! Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we are in receipt of a high number of applications.