COLCHESTER MERCURY THEATRE
Colchester, Essex
Aug 24, 2026
Full time
Job Description Job Title Chef de Partie Department Operations Responsible to Chef Responsible for Kitchen Team Key working relationships Commercial and Operations Director Head of Customer Experience Customer Experience Supervisors Customer Experience Team Purpose of the Post The Chef de Partie works closely with the Chef in planning, scheduling and delivering the catering offer for all events and activities across the Mercury's programme, on time and within budget. The Chef de Partie will assist in the planning of menus and will prepare, cook and present food to the highest standards. The Chef de Partie is responsible for ensuring that statutory food hygiene record keeping and cleaning are clear up to date and accurate. Main Duties: With the Chef, to be responsible for the planning and arranging of all catering requirements for the Café bar, conferences and events. Ensure all food is prepared, cooked and served to the highest standard. Assist the Chef to determine how much to order and maintain an appropriate supply, within agreed budget and stock control limitations under guidance of the Head of Customer Experience. Prepare and follow menus to ensure adequate yield of foods and avoid waste. Receive and store food deliveries properly. Work with the hires team to provide excellent catering and buffet for conferencing and events. Ensure portion control is maintained to a high standard. Financial and Human Resources: Work with the Chef in budgetary planning, costing, monitoring spending and control of agreed amounts on catering materials and labour, and other catering items. Work with the Chef on the maintenance and financial control of all catering department stocks. Work with the Chef and Head of Customer Experience to maintain appropriate food hygiene record keeping, stock control and allergen information. Assist the Chef to monitor and coordinate apprentice training and staff development for the kitchen team. Health and Safety: Maintain the hygiene of kitchen equipment and related areas. Ensure health and safety, and food safety standards methods are adhered to by the department and liaise with management team as necessary on any issues identified. Ensure accurate and regular food safety standard records are maintained. Ensure risk assessments relevant to the kitchen are up to date and acted on. Contribute to maintenance of a clean, tidy and safe working environment. General Duties: Manage time effectively meeting deadlines as directed by the Chef and Head of Customer Experience. Maintain a working knowledge of the Mercury Theatre's programme, including hire activities. Participate actively as a member of the Operations team. Attend and contribute to staff meetings and training sessions. Maintain positive and effective relationships with colleagues across the organisation. Adhere to all Mercury Theatre policies included Safeguarding, Health and Safety, and environmental policies. Maximise income and minimise expenditure whilst ensuring high quality delivery. Undertake any further duties as may be reasonably requested. This job description is a guide to the nature of the work required of this position. It is neither wholly comprehensive nor restrictive and does not preclude change or development that might be required in the future. It does not form part of the contract of employment. Person Specification Professional Competencies Essential: Proven experience in a similar role with relevant qualification relating to the food and beverage industry. Excellent knowledge of current production food safety health and safety regulations and good practice. Strong food presentation skills with the ability to approach the presentation and cooking of food to suit a range of customers budgets and taste with equal enthusiasm and quality expectation. Experience of preparing buffets for small and large commercial events. Excellent attention to detail. Strong communication skills. Experience of people management and the ability to build and maintain excellent professional relationships. Experience of successfully working within teams. Confident IT skills. Personal Qualities: Self-disciplined, organised and self-motivating. Proven experience of good relationships with kitchen teams. Ability to work as part of a flexible team, responding to instructions, contributing ideas, supporting other team members and taking a lead on projects as required. Adaptable and receptive to new ideas and initiatives. Ability to work under pressure and manage competing deadlines. Good organisational/housekeeping skills. Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to listen, build rapport and communicate with people at all levels. Creative flair. Desirable: First Aider Qualification. Outline of Terms and Conditions Salary: £25,750 to £28,000 per annum depending on experience Hours: 37.5 hours per week, although additional hours may be necessary in order to fulfil the post's requirements for which Time Off in Lieu is available. This post will require the successful candidate to work unsocial hours on occasion. Annual Leave: Annual leave entitlement is 20 days for each holiday year plus statutory Bank Holidays. When you complete one year of service, your holiday entitlement will increase by one day each year thereafter to a maximum of 25 days per annum. Probationary Period: Five months. Notice Period: Two months by either party in writing after an initial probationary period during which time the notice period is one month by either party. DBS Check: Should your post have regular contact with children and/or vulnerable adults a DBS check will be required. Pension: Colchester Mercury Theatre Ltd operates a Stakeholder Pension scheme. Full details of the scheme are available from the Finance Department. Other Benefits Discount on drinks and meals in the Mercury's bar including access to the discounted staff menu The company offers an interest free season ticket loan The company encourages attendance at performances with an allocation of tickets to employees (subject to availability and the Mercury's ticket policy A discount on selected Creative Engagement activities. How to apply To apply for this post, please send: a letter of no more than 2 sides of A4 or a video of no more than 4 minutes, explaining what attracts you to this position, and evidence of your ability to meet the job description and person specification. If you choose to apply via video, please include the link to your video in a word or pdf document. Your CV Names and contact details for two employment/professional referees, one of which must be your must recent employer. We shall not take up references unless candidates are invited to a second interview. To apply, please visit our website via the button below. Candidates will be assessed and shortlisted upon applying. It is intended that interviews will be held as suitable applications are received. The Mercury Theatre is an equal opportunities employer and actively promotes diversity in our staff team. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. Please let us know if you need this information in a different format by contacting the recruitment team on , or by calling , ext. 204.