At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare and cook fresh ingredients using modern equipment in a fast-paced kitchen.
- Company: Join Bigham’s, the top brand in chilled pre-prepared meals.
- Benefits: Earn £16.98 per hour, with bonuses, free meals, and great discounts.
- Other info: Enjoy 4 nights on, 4 nights off with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: No experience needed; we’ll train you to create delicious dishes.
- Qualifications: A positive attitude, teamwork skills, and a willingness to learn.
The predicted salary is between 20 - 20 £ per hour.
This isn’t a traditional chef role. As a Preparation & Cooking Team Member at Bigham’s, you’ll work in a modern kitchen environment preparing ingredients and using specialist equipment that guides you step‑by‑step through each recipe. No previous cooking experience is required — we’ll train you. This is a hands‑on role where you’ll be involved in both preparing fresh ingredients and cooking them at scale, helping us produce the high‑quality meals Bigham’s is known for.
Working Hours: 4 nights on, 4 nights off - 6pm-6am
Role Responsibilities:
- Preparing ingredients, including weighing and hand cutting fresh produce, meat and fish
- Following clear, step‑by‑step recipe instructions
- Operating cooking equipment to prepare food at scale
- Monitoring cooking processes to ensure quality and consistency
- Carrying out quality checks to meet Bigham’s standards
- Maintaining high hygiene standards and a clean, organised workspace
- Completing simple production records and logs
- Supporting effective and accurate shift handovers
- Reporting any issues with equipment in your area
The Ideal Candidate:
At Bigham’s, our values guide how we work every day. We’re looking for people who:
- Bring extraordinary – you enjoy working in a fast‑paced environment, take a positive approach and are happy to get stuck in
- Bring people together – you work well as part of a team, communicate clearly and support those around you
- Bring real care & attention – you have a good eye for detail and take pride in doing things properly
You’ll Also Need:
- A good level of physical fitness, including the ability to lift up to 20kg
- A willingness to work in temperature‑controlled areas
- A reliable, hands‑on approach to work
- A desire to learn and develop your skills
Experience in food production, kitchens or similar environments is beneficial, but not essential - full training will be provided.
Benefits:
- A competitive hourly rate of £16.98, rising to £17.68 after 3 months (equivalent to over £37,000-£38,000+ per year, based on a 40‑hour week, excluding overtime)
- Overtime paid at over £20 per hour, paid at 1.5x the hourly rate
- 28 days’ annual leave, increasing with service
- Quarterly bonus
- Paid breaks
- Free Bigham’s meals to take home
- Pension scheme
- Discounts with popular high‑street retailers
- Access to Medicash and an online GP service
- Life assurance benefit
- Free on‑site parking
- Subsidised canteen
About The Company: Inspired by his travels and love of cooking, Charlie Bigham set up shop in 1996 with the sole aim of creating really delicious dishes. Twenty‑five years later Bigham’s is now the number one brand in the chilled pre‑prepared meal category, with over 50 dishes available in major supermarkets.
Preparation and Cooking Team Member - 4 on 4 off Nights in Wells employer: Charlie Bigham's | B-Corp
At Charlie Bigham's, we pride ourselves on being a B-Corp certified employer that values sustainability and social responsibility. Our Finance Team fosters a collaborative work culture where employees are encouraged to grow their skills and advance their careers, all while enjoying the benefits of a supportive environment in a vibrant location. Join us to make a meaningful impact while working with a dedicated team committed to excellence in every aspect of our operations.
