Chef
SodexoThe Breakroom Take
- Free food
- Recommended by students
About Sodexo
Sodexo is a facilities management company. Their services include catering and social care.
Job description from Sodexo
35 hours per week5 over 7 days. Variable Shift Patterns between early, late and weekends.£15.07 per hourCar parking available on siteCheck your local transport links here: Plan Your Journey | TravelineAbout the role:Position: Chef at Sodexo, ATR WinchesterJoin our team for a unique and rewarding catering role in a Ministry of Defence (MOD) environment, where you'll work alongside military personnel, preparing high-quality meals and supporting exciting functions.This is an opportunity to be part of something bigger, using your culinary skills to make a real impact in a fast-paced, professional setting.What you'll do:Assist in the preparation, cooking, and service of meals in a fast-paced kitchenMaintain the highest standards of food safety and hygiene, ensuring full compliance with EHO guidelinesWork alongside the front-of-house team to deliver outstanding serviceCook and serve meals to military personnel, delivering high standards every dayOversee kitchen sanitation and ensure best practices are always followedBe part of high-profile events and special functions, showcasing your culinary expertiseTake part in bulk cooking, ensuring consistency and quality in every dishWhat we're looking for:Professional chef experience in a catering or hospitality settingRecognised culinary qualifications (City & Guilds 706/1 & 2, NVQ Level 2/3)Strong knowledge of food safety, hygiene, and health regulationsAbility to work in a high-pressure, team-focused environmentA passion for cooking and delivering top-quality serviceDesirable Skills:Experience working in military or government cateringIOSH qualification or equivalentKnowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)What we offer:Join Sodexo for more than just a job—be part of something bigger. You'll belong, have purpose, and make an impact every day. We offer:Wellbeing Support – Unlimited online resources, a free health app with 24/7 virtual GP, and an Employee Assistance Programme.Financial Benefits – Discounts for you and your family, salary finance support, retirement plan, and a death-in-service benefit.Career Growth – Apprenticeships, learning tools, and development opportunities.Work Perks – Cycle to Work Scheme, volunteering opportunities, flexible work, full training, and a protective uniform.Join us and thrive in your own way!

Job insights from Breakroom
Chefs
Chefs prepare and cook food in restaurants, hotels and bars.
What you’ll do as a chef:
- Plan meals
- Prepare and cook food
- Purchase food and look after a budget
- Be responsible for the hygiene and safety of food served
Is it right for you?
This job may involve:
- Standing
- Physical activities
- Wearing a uniform
- Cleaning
- Anti-social hours
Map
Europe, Winchester
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What employees say
Pay
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Okay
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Only some people are paid a living wage
Do Sodexo pay chefs enough to live on?
Some people are not paid a living wage.
How we know this
38% of people say they are paid below the Real Living Wage for where they live.Based on data from 16 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and December 2024.
Why this matters
Everyone should be paid enough to live on.
The Real Living Wage is a voluntary rate employers can sign up to that is based on the real cost of living.
The current rates are £12.60 per hour, and £13.85 per hour in London.
Find out more in our explainer about the Real Living Wage.
Okay
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Only some people are paid market rates
Do Sodexo pay chefs market rates?
Only some people are paid above average for their job.
How we know this
41% of people are paid below average for the type of work they do.Based on data from 17 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
Pay can vary a lot between types of job. Employers should be ensuring that the rates their staff are paid are in line with similar roles elsewhere.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t get paid breaks
Do chefs at Sodexo get paid breaks?
No. Most people don’t get paid breaks.
How we know this
100% of people say they don’t get paid breaks.Based on data from 16 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should have paid breaks.
You should be paid for all your time at work, whether you’re on a break or not.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t get sick pay
Do Sodexo pay chefs sick pay?
No. Most people don’t get proper sick pay.
How we know this
81% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.Based on data from 16 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off without worrying.
At a good job you should still get paid if you’re scheduled to work but can’t due to sickness. Your contract should say how many sick days you can take each year.
This is more than the legal minimum, which says you should only get paid if you are unwell for 4 full days. See Citizens Advice for more details.
Good
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Most people don’t do unpaid extra work
Do chefs at Sodexo do extra work that they don't get paid for?
Rarely. Most people don’t do unpaid extra work.
How we know this
75% of people report that they don’t do extra unpaid work.Based on data from 12 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone should get paid for any extra work they do, even if it is outside your contracted hours. At a good job, you should be paid for all the time you spend at work.
Hours and flexibility
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Needs improving
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Less than 4 weeks notice of shifts
How much notice do chefs get of their shift pattern at Sodexo?
Most people don’t get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working.
How we know this
- 70% of people with changing schedules report getting one week notice or less.
- 10% of people with changing schedules report getting two weeks notice.
- 10% of people with changing schedules report getting three weeks notice.
- 10% of people with changing schedules report getting four weeks notice or more.
Based on data from 10 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, you get plenty of notice about when you’re working.
This makes it easy for you to plan the rest of life, as well as your finances, because you know how much you’ll be working and when.
Good
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Most people don’t worry about their hours
Do chefs at Sodexo worry about hours?
Most people don’t worry about getting enough hours.
How we know this
85% of people report they don’t worry about getting enough hours.Based on data from 13 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting enough hours each week.
A good job should guarantee you a minimum number of hours in a contract, if you want it.
This makes it easier to plan your finances, because you know how much you’ll be earning.
Okay
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Only some people get a choice of shifts
Do chefs at Sodexo get to choose the shifts they work?
Some people don’t get enough choice over which shifts they work.
How we know this
62% report that their manager doesn’t give them enough choice over which shifts they work.Based on data from 13 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.
Okay
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Can be hard to change shifts
How easy is it for chefs at Sodexo to change shifts?
Some people find it hard to change shifts.
How we know this
45% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.Based on data from 11 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. It should be easy to change a shift if you need to, whether that’s in an emergency or for planning ahead.
Good
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Easy to book holiday
How easy is it for chefs to book a holiday at Sodexo?
Most people find it easy to book holiday.
How we know this
79% of people report it’s easy to book holidays.Based on data from 14 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should let you take time off when you need it, and it shouldn’t be a nightmare to arrange.
Okay
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Shifts can get changed at short notice
Do Sodexo managers change chefs shifts at short notice?
Some managers change people’s shifts at short notice.
How we know this
36% of people say their manager changes their shifts at the last minute.Based on data from 14 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
If your manager is often changing your shifts at short notice that’s a sign of poor planning. At a good job you won’t be messed around at the last minute.
Okay
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Some people find it hard to take sick leave
How easy is it for chefs to take sick leave at Sodexo?
Some people find it hard to take sick leave.
How we know this
42% of people report that it’s hard to take time off if they are sick.Based on data from 12 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off when you need to.
A good job should support you when you’re unwell and have systems in place that will allow you to take time off to recover when you need it.
Workplace
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Good
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Most people feel treated with respect
Do chefs at Sodexo feel treated with respect by their managers?
Most people feel treated with respect by their managers.
How we know this
73% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managers.Based on data from 11 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and December 2024.
Why this matters
Everyone should get treated with respect by their managers. You shouldn’t feel discriminated against or bullied, and if you have a problem you should be able to speak to someone about it.
Okay
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Only some people get proper breaks
Do chefs at Sodexo get proper breaks?
Some people don’t get proper breaks.
How we know this
40% of people report that they don’t get to take proper breaks.Based on data from 15 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
When you take a break it should be a proper rest. It should last the full duration and you shouldn’t get pulled off it.
Needs improving
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Most people are stressed
Is it stressful for chefs to work at Sodexo?
Most people feel stressed here.
How we know this
69% of people say they often feel stressed at work.Based on data from 16 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
Work isn’t always easy, but if you’re frequently feel stressed, that’s not good.
Your employer should support you with enough people and resources to get your job done without feeling overwhelmed.
Good
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Most people enjoy their job
Do chefs at Sodexo enjoy their jobs?
Most people enjoy their job.
How we know this
73% of people report they enjoy their job.Based on data from 11 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and December 2024.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t recommend their team
Do chefs at Sodexo recommend working with their team?
Not many people recommend working with their team.
How we know this
82% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.Based on data from 17 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
A good job means enjoying the place where you work.
The people you work with every day really matter. They can be the difference between a terrible day and a great one.
If you’d recommend your team to a friend, this shows that something’s going right.
Okay
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Only some people get enough training
Do chefs get enough training when they start at Sodexo?
Some people didn’t get enough training when they started.
How we know this
38% of people report they didn’t get enough training when they started working here.Based on data from 16 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should give you good training when you start, not just drop you in at the deep end.
This means that you’ll be happier and more productive from day one and shows that your employer values you.
It’s also very important if your job involves anything that could be dangerous. Good training from the outset keeps you and your team safe.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t get support to progress
Are chefs given support to progress at Sodexo?
Most people aren’t given support to progress here.
How we know this
In the last year, 75% of people report not being given an opportunity to get better at their job, learn a new skill, learn to manage a team or get more responsibility in their role.Based on data from 16 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should help you progress at work, if you want to. That might be supporting you to get better at the job you currently have, learn something new, manage a team or take on more responsibilities.
This means you’ll be able to build on your skills and experience, and earn more money.
Needs improving
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Head office doesn’t understand what’s happening
Do chefs think Sodexo head office understands what's happening where they work?
Most people think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.
How we know this
86% of people think that this employer’s head office or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.Based on data from 14 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, the role of head office should be to support the people on the frontline serving customers.
To do that properly, the company’s owners or head office need to have a good understanding of what’s really happening on the frontline. This is especially important when a company owns multiple locations.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t feel well informed by head office
Do chefs feel well informed about how Sodexo is doing?
Most people don’t feel well informed about how the company is doing.
How we know this
88% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.Based on data from 16 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, there should be a supportive relationship between the people working on the frontline serving customers and the people who own the company or work in head office.
You should be kept informed about how the company is doing as a whole, both in good times and when things get tough for the business.
What Sodexo employees say about their job
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Best thing
Easy tasks with the right people, free food, short shifts
Worst thing
Management don’t care about employees who need to be disciplined and let them get away with murder
Food service worker at Sodexo, March 2025
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Best thing
Every day is structured and you can set your own pace within reason
Worst thing
At a certain part of the day there isn’t much more to do so it gets boring
Retail assistant at Sodexo, February 2025
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