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- Tasks: Join our kitchen team as a Commis Chef and create festive culinary delights.
- Company: Dakota Hotels, a stylish and growing UK lifestyle brand.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, competitive pay, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a vibrant team and showcase your culinary skills this festive season.
- Qualifications: 1 year of cooking experience or relevant qualifications in Professional Cookery.
- Other info: Walk-in interviews on 31st October – bring your CV and ID!
Join to apply for the Festive Commis Chef role at Dakota Hotels.
Dakota Hotel based in LEEDS CITY CENTRE are seeking eager and hard‑working individuals to join our Kitchen Team for the role of Commis Chef this festive season.
Our location, 8 Russell St, Leeds LS1 5RN, is ideally located on Greek Street and is just a 5‑minute walk from Leeds Train Station. We are also easily accessible by bus, close to the East Parade bus link and within a 10‑minute walk from Leeds Bus Station.
We are a 94‑bedroom luxury hotel boasting a destination cocktail bar with a champagne room and a brasserie‑style grill.
CONTRACT AND PAY RATE
The role carries a zero‑hour, fixed‑term contract (17th Nov 2025 – 2nd Jan 2026).
Pay rate is national minimum wage plus tronc payments which are at least £1.09 per hour.
Typical shifts will start at 3 pm, including working weeks.
You must be available to work Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.
PRIMARY ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Carry out prep work throughout any allocated section of the kitchen with the ability to maintain excellent knife skills.
- Be able to multi‑task and work through busy service times.
- Prepare, cook, and present all dishes to the Dakota standard.
- Carry out a full clean‑down of the kitchen and maintain an immaculate working environment.
- Adhere to Health & Safety and Food Hygiene legislation.
- Display a willingness to learn and support across different areas of the Kitchen.
HOW TO APPLY
To join us this festive season at Dakota Leeds!
We’re hosting walk‑in interviews on Friday 31st October, between 14:00 and 17:00 – no appointment needed! Just bring your CV and proof of right to work (ID).
Prefer to plan ahead? Apply via this advert to secure a pre‑booked interview slot for Friday 31st October, between 14:00 and 17:00.
If successful, you’ll need to be available for induction and training on Thursday 13th November, from 10:30 to 17:00.
ABOUT DAKOTA HOTELS
Dakota is a growing UK‑based lifestyle brand, known for our stylish hotels, bustling brasserie grill and upscale cocktail bars. Dakota’s story started with two boutique hotels on the outskirts of Edinburgh, in South Queensferry, and Glasgow, in Eurocentral. We have now expanded into prime city centre locations in Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle with Manchester Airport coming soon and more in our pipeline.
Dakota is synonymous with delivering attentive and genuine guest service. We attract hard‑working individuals who are passionate about working to the highest standards and have been voted within The Caterer’s Top 15 Best Employers in Hospitality for the last six years in a row. We were also featured within the Top 10 employers in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work in the UK for the last two years, where our inclusive culture was spotlighted.
As recent winners of The Cateys ‘People Team of the Year’, we have award‑winning internal training programmes within Dakota Academy fostering continuous development and ongoing training. As a result, over 75% of our leaders have been promoted internally and, for five consecutive years, a member of our team has won a prestigious Acorn Award awarded by The Caterer to the ‘Top 30 under 30’ in the industry, demonstrating our success in developing talent.
APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS
The successful applicant will have/be:
- A minimum of 1 year of professional cooking experience in a full‑service restaurant or a Level 2 NVQ or Apprenticeship in Professional Cookery.
- Demonstrate a passion for quality food and preparation.Previous qualifications in Food Safety are preferred, although training in Health & Safety, Allergens, and Food Hygiene standards and procedures will be given.
- Be able to be physically active in your role, standing for much of your shift and working at pace.
- An enthusiastic individual who will promote our culture of positivity.
- Be hardworking and a team‑player.
- Flexible with shift patterns and available around the needs of our business.
- Successful candidates must demonstrate having researched our brand and a genuine desire to be part of our team.
MORE DETAILS
For more information on our luxury hotel, visit our Careers page to learn about current opportunities and find your #DreamRolesAtDakota – we’d love to hear from you! Alternatively please visit:
- Website
- Dakota Hotels Instagram
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Festive Commis Chef employer: Dakota Hotels
Contact Detail:
Dakota Hotels Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Festive Commis Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Get ready for those walk-in interviews! Bring your CV and proof of right to work, and don’t forget to dress smartly. First impressions count, so show up looking sharp and ready to impress!
✨Tip Number 2
Do a bit of homework on Dakota Hotels before you go in. Knowing about their values and what they stand for will help you connect during the interview. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to talk about your cooking experience and how you handle busy service times. Share specific examples that highlight your skills and passion for quality food. This is your chance to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
After the interview, don’t be shy! Follow up with a quick thank-you message. It’s a nice touch and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it shows you’re keen on the role!
We think you need these skills to ace Festive Commis Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your love for cooking shine through! Share why you’re excited about the Festive Commis Chef role and how you can contribute to our kitchen team at Dakota.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that match the job description. We want to see your professional cooking experience and any qualifications in Food Safety you might have!
Be Yourself: Don’t be afraid to show a bit of personality in your application. We’re looking for enthusiastic team players who fit our positive culture, so let us know what makes you unique!
Apply Through Our Website: For a smoother application process, we recommend applying directly through our website. This way, you can secure your pre-booked interview slot and get one step closer to joining our festive team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dakota Hotels
✨Know Your Stuff
Before heading to the interview, make sure you know a bit about Dakota Hotels and their kitchen culture. Familiarise yourself with their menu and any special dishes they might be known for. This shows genuine interest and helps you stand out.
✨Show Off Your Skills
Since this role requires excellent knife skills and the ability to multitask, be prepared to discuss your previous cooking experiences. Bring examples of how you've handled busy service times or any specific techniques you excel at. It’s all about showcasing what you can bring to the team!
✨Be Ready for Questions
Expect questions about food safety and hygiene, as well as your willingness to learn. Brush up on relevant legislation and be ready to share how you maintain cleanliness in the kitchen. This will demonstrate your commitment to high standards.
✨Bring Your A-Game
Dress smartly and arrive on time for your interview. A positive attitude goes a long way, especially in a hospitality setting. Show enthusiasm for the role and be ready to discuss your flexibility with shifts, especially during the festive season when they need extra hands!