Who are we?

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) diplomatic missions in Benelux are part of a world-wide network of over 270 Posts, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas.

Our daily work relies on the input of dedicated individuals who engage on many different topics and activities. We seek to employ a diverse range of candidates who bring their own talents and perspectives to the role. We have a strong corporate agenda that ensures we create a positive and inclusive working environment where everyone is valued for their contribution.

Corporate Services Benelux (CSB) is a joint service that leads on operational support to the UK Diplomatic Missions in Brussels (our Missions to the EU & NATO and our bilateral Embassy to Belgium). CSB also has some responsibility for the Devolved Governments in Brussels and our Luxembourg & The Hague Embassies. We manage and deliver a broad combination of complex operational and strategic work on staff issues (locally recruited and UK based), Finance, IT, Security and Transport. We also manage a shared Residence for all of the UK Missions’ high level entertaining. It is one of the biggest operations in the UK’s Europe Diplomatic Network.

CSB is diverse, respectful & values based while seeking to deliver effectively in a friendly manner. We put the welfare & needs of staff first. Our staff survey scores for wellbeing and collegiate support score high. We offer many learning and development opportunities.

A full-time vacancy has become available as Residence Chef de Partie to join the existing kitchen brigade to deliver a quality food offer for the Residence operation. The successful candidate will have a Certificate d ’aptitude professionelle and be able to demonstrate a proven record of working in a kitchen brigade, contributing to both banqueting and fine dining events. This involves cooking varied menus to a consistently high standard and working in conjunction with the rest of the kitchen team. Knowledge of British ingredients is advantageous.

The Chef de Partie will contribute to the output of the kitchen. Under direction of the Head Chef, the Chef de Partie will work on individual stations within the kitchen and at times support the other chefs in the delivery of all manner of meals.

Main roles and responsibilities:

• To support the existing chefs in cooking food for multiple events and varying numbers of guests, to a consistently high standard of quality and presentation, with emphasis on a modern British style of cuisine;
• To achieve smooth service delivery, under direction of the head chef;
• To contribute to creative and appetising menus, catering for any special dietary requirements, responding to feedback, and being flexible to last minute changes;
• Health & Safety: to observe guidance and HACCP procedures to provide a compliant, clean & tidy, safe working environment with no accidents or kitchen hygiene issues and maintain an ecological approach to waste and recycling in the kitchen operation;
• Any other ad-hoc duties in accordance with the position, subject to the business needs of the Residence operation.

• Good operational level of spoken English and French (minimum of B2 level for CEFR framework*);
• Contribute to the menus for official events and special requirements under the leadership of the Head Chef;
• Cook for various occasions (banqueting and fine dining);
• Ability to demonstrate chef skills to the highest level in line with Certificat d ’Aptitude professionelle training;
• Excellent organisational and planning skills;
• Excellent kitchen management and food hygiene control;
• Cleaning and maintenance of the kitchen equipment;
• Share responsibility for the inventory in the Residence kitchen;
• Other duties as required.