Key Takeaways
- 12-month apprenticeship to become a qualified chef.
- Earn £13.03 per hour for a 40-hour week, working four 10-hour shifts.
- No prior experience required, just a passion for food and willingness to learn.
- Gain practical skills and a fully funded qualification while working in a professional kitchen.
About the Role
Love cooking? Turn your passion into professional skills—with a four-day working week.
- Pay: £13.03 per hour
- Hours: 40 hours per week
- Working pattern: Four days per week, working 10-hour shifts
- Location: Swinton Barracks, Perham Down, Andover, Hampshire, SP11 9LQ
- Programme: 12-month apprenticeship with a fully funded qualification
- Experience: None required—bring your enthusiasm and willingness to learn!
Earn while you learn and cook up your future
Join our kitchen team at Swinton Barracks for a 12-month chef apprenticeship, learning from experienced professionals while helping prepare meals for the Armed Forces community.
You’ll earn a wage, gain practical experience and work towards a fully funded apprenticeship qualification. From preparing ingredients to helping deliver a busy meal service, you’ll build skills and confidence you can take forward into your career.
With 40 hours across four working days, you’ll have three days away from work each week. Your working days will involve 10-hour shifts, so you’ll need to be comfortable with a full, active day in the kitchen.
No previous kitchen experience or food technology qualifications are needed. Your interest in food, positive attitude and commitment to learning are what matter.
What you’ll learn and do
Throughout your 12-month apprenticeship, you’ll:
- Develop essential cooking skills —learn to prepare ingredients, use kitchen equipment and cook a range of dishes.
- Get involved in daily service —help prepare, cook and present tasty, nutritious meals.
- Discover how a professional kitchen works —build your understanding of timing, organisation and teamwork.
- Learn food safety essentials —develop your knowledge of allergens, hygiene and safe food handling.
- Take pride in the whole kitchen —support cleaning, preparation and keeping work areas safe and organised.
- Grow your confidence —ask questions, learn from feedback and put new techniques into practice.
- Work towards your qualification —complete apprenticeship learning and assessments alongside your practical work.
What you’ll bring
- A passion for food and a real interest in becoming a chef.
- Willingness to commit to the full 12-month apprenticeship, including learning and assessments.
- Enthusiasm for getting involved in every part of kitchen life.
- Reliability and readiness to work four 10-hour shifts per week.
- A supportive approach to teamwork.
- Willingness to follow instructions, ask questions and learn from others.
What’s in it for you?
- Earn £13.03 per hour while you learn.
- A four-day working week, with 40 hours worked across four 10-hour shifts.
- A fully funded apprenticeship qualification through a 12-month programme.
- Practical training from experienced chefs in a supportive kitchen team.
- Career development opportunities within Sodexo, helping you explore your next steps.
- Wellbeing support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, online resources and 24/7 virtual GP access.
- Financial benefits, including discounts for you and your family, financial wellbeing support, a retirement plan and death-in-service benefit.
- Extra perks, including a Cycle to Work scheme, volunteering opportunities, training and uniform.
Bring your enthusiasm. We’ll help you build your skills.
You don’t need a CV full of kitchen experience to get started. If you’re excited about cooking and ready to commit to a year of learning, apply today and take your first step towards becoming a skilled chef with Sodexo.