At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the kitchen at Oak Bistro, crafting delicious breakfasts and brunches.
- Company: Join Taste the World, a growing hospitality group with a passion for great food.
- Benefits: Earn £33,000 per year with Monday to Friday daytime hours and weekends off.
- Other info: Opportunities for growth and input into menu development in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make your mark on a developing menu and create dishes that the community loves.
- Qualifications: Experience in a kitchen, a passion for fresh food, and a positive attitude.
Great food. Daytime hours. Your weekends back. We're looking for a brilliant Bistro Chef to take ownership of the kitchen at Oak Bistro at The Woodfalls Inn. Oak Bistro is our daytime food offering at Woodfalls and we're giving it some real love. We're developing a fresh, relaxed Bistro menu built around the things people actually want to eat: brilliant breakfasts, proper brunches, great sandwiches, small plates and simple bistro classics done really, really well.
At Taste the World, we believe amazing people make amazing places. So we're not looking for someone to simply turn up, follow a spec sheet and go home. We want someone who cares. Someone who notices the little things. Someone who takes pride in sending out a cracking plate of food every single time. And someone who wants to be part of making Oak Bistro somewhere the local community genuinely loves.
What are we cooking? The menu is still being developed, which means there's a real opportunity for you to get involved. The direction we're heading includes:
- Proper cooked breakfasts
- Shakshuka
- French toast
- Breakfast flatbreads
- Steak frites
- Fish & frites
- A great burger
- Steak & ale pie
- Fresh sandwiches and toasties
- Buddha bowls and lighter dishes
- Small plates
- Seasonal specials
Nothing unnecessarily complicated. Just great ingredients, cooked properly and served consistently.
What you'll be doing: This will be your daytime kitchen. You'll take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the Oak Bistro food operation, working alongside the wider Woodfalls team and with support from our management and kitchen teams. You'll be:
- Getting the kitchen prepped, organised and ready for the day
- Cooking and delivering breakfast, brunch and lunch service
- Making sure every plate leaving the kitchen is something you're proud of
- Keeping portion sizes, presentation and quality consistent
- Managing stock and ordering sensibly
- Keeping a close eye on wastage and food GP
- Maintaining excellent kitchen cleanliness and food safety standards
- Making sure allergens, labelling, rotation and due diligence are spot on
- Working closely with the FOH team to deliver a brilliant guest experience
- Creating specials and bringing new ideas to the table
- Helping us develop the Oak Bistro menu as the business grows
- Taking real ownership of what we're trying to create
We're a growing hospitality business, so if you see something that could be better, we want you to tell us. Better still help us make it better.
Who are we looking for? We're much more interested in attitude, standards and ability than impressive job titles. You might currently be a Chef de Partie ready for more ownership, a Sous Chef looking for a better work-life balance, or an experienced chef who's had enough of finishing at midnight. You'll need to be confident enough to run your service, organised enough to stay ahead of your prep and passionate enough to care about the details.
You'll understand:
- Fresh food preparation
- Kitchen organisation
- Food safety and hygiene
- Allergens
- Stock and wastage
- Portion control
- The importance of GP
- How to stay calm when everyone suddenly decides they want brunch at exactly the same time!
Above everything else, we want someone who's reliable, positive and proud of what they do. And yes... the hours really are that good. Your normal working week will be:
Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm. That's it. There will be opportunities to work additional hours within the wider Woodfalls kitchen at weekends if you want to earn some extra money, but weekend overtime is completely optional. So you can work in hospitality, cook great food and still have your evenings and weekends. We know how rare that is.
What you'll get: £33,000 per year. Alongside that, you'll get:
- Monday - Friday working
- Daytime hours
- Evenings off
- Weekends off as standard
- Optional weekend overtime
- The chance to put your stamp on a developing Bistro
- Input into menus, specials and seasonal dishes
- Training and development
- Support from a wider hospitality team
- Opportunities to progress as the business continues to grow
A little bit about us: We're Taste the World an independent and growing hospitality group with pubs, bars, restaurants and some slightly different concepts across the South of England and beyond. We're ambitious, we're constantly evolving and we don't pretend we get absolutely everything right first time. But we care enormously about our venues, our guests and, most importantly, our people. Our belief is simple: Amazing people make amazing places. Give good people the freedom, support and tools to do a brilliant job, and brilliant hospitality follows. Oak Bistro is the next part of the Woodfalls story. Fancy making it yours? We'd love to hear from you.
Chef - Bistro in Rugby employer: All The Top Bananas
My Four Wheels is an exceptional employer, offering a rewarding career as a Trainee Driving Instructor with flexible working hours and the potential to earn up to £50,000+ annually. With comprehensive training provided through our new Training Academy, employees benefit from ongoing support and resources, ensuring a fulfilling journey towards becoming a qualified instructor while enjoying the satisfaction of teaching locally in Westfield, Surrey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef - Bistro in Rugby
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like All The Top Bananas. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to All The Top Bananas
Don't be shy about reaching out to All The Top Bananas directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about All The Top Bananas and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at All The Top Bananas
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
