At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in preparing delicious meals for international school groups at a stunning chateau.
- Company: Travelbound, offering unique residential trips in beautiful Normandy, France.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, free meals, shared accommodation, and access to on-site facilities.
- Why this job: Experience life in France while honing your culinary skills and making lifelong memories.
- Qualifications: Previous kitchen experience and a passion for teamwork and hospitality.
- Other info: Opportunity for role progression and potential return for future seasons.
The predicted salary is between 981 - 1207 £ per month.
Join us for the 2026 season at Travelbound’s amazing Chateau Du Molay in Northern France! Travelbound specialise in offering residential school trips to groups from all over the world. This role will be based at our truly idyllic, 18th Century Chateau, situated in Normandy, France. Renowned for its history, beautiful towns and sandy beaches, in your down time you will have the chance to explore everything Normandy has to offer! Or, if you fancy something different on your day off you can jump on the train and be in central Paris within a couple of hours!
A season at Chateau Du Molay will give you the opportunity to build on your hospitality skills and make memories which will last a lifetime. With an international customer base and team of around 30 staff members from across Europe and the world, there is a unique opportunity to practice your French and English language skills!
At Chateau du Molay, our kitchen provides lunch and dinner for hungry school guests and teachers from France, UK and around the world. With a maximum capacity of 200 guests and 30 members of staff, our menus provide for high covers, high quality food appealing to a child’s palette. With a well-planned menu in place, you will have a good understanding of numbers and allergens well in advance – so plenty of time to get on top of prep work! A platter service is provided for the children, whilst a plated service is provided for the adults. Dishes are simple, nutritious and adapted for a multi-national audience.
As an Assistant Cook, you will follow direction from the Catering Manager/ Head Chef and work alongside your fellow Chefs and colleagues to ensure the smoothest service possible for all meals. On the Catering Manager’s days off, you will also be confident in running the kitchen independently from time-to-time, following instructions left and using your skills to foresee any possible problems.
With your previous kitchen experience, you will work efficiently and with the highest level of health, safety, and cleanliness practices with a particular focus on allergens and dietary requirements. You’ll also help the team on Potwash, the cleaning of the kitchen and supporting with rotating stock whilst managing deliveries and getting involved in monthly stock takes.
Our motto at Travelbound is ‘teamwork makes the dream work!’ We are looking for positive, can-do individuals who share our teamwork ethos.
What skills and experience do I need?
- Previous experience working in a busy commercial, high volume kitchen environment
- Ideally you will have worked as a Commis Chef
- Previous chef experience in an overseas kitchen or hotel-based environment is a bonus!
- An excellent understanding of the Health and Safety regulations (Food & Hygiene, HACCP, COSHH), and the ability to adapt to French regulations
- Experience and detailed understanding of preparing meals to cater for all dietary requirements (some very severe)
- Not afraid to roll your sleeves up and get stuck in - from basic food prep to an end of service clean down
- A desire and the necessary knowledge to develop more junior members of the team in a friendly, calm and positive manner
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where services can be short and intense
- Works well individually and as part of a team
- Conversational English is essential
- French speaking is a bonus!
What can Travelbound offer me?
- Competitive, seasonal salary paid in Euros as all staff will be on a French contract for 2026
- All meals – even on your days off!
- Free on-site shared accommodation.
- Option to live off-site if you live locally
- Uniform
- Insurance
- Access to on-site facilities including staff bikes, outdoor swimming pool (May – Sept), BBQ, discounted drinks in the Chateau bar etc.
- Full job training once at the Chateau
- Role progression and the chance to return for future seasons
- We are part of the world’s largest collection of specialist brands, Travelopia, which means we are able to offer further seasonal opportunities with our sister brands once your season comes to an end including JCA in the UK and Skibound in the French Alps
The extra bits…
- We ask applicants to be fully available from end of February 2026 to July 2026 (with the chance of extending right through until October 2026!)
- You must be 18 or over by February 2026 to apply
- Due to Brexit implications, applicants will need to hold EU documentation e.g., EU passport, EU Work visa, French residency permit or Carte de Sejour
- Please apply for just ONE Travelbound job role - The role you feel you are best suited to and most interested in.
- If you are applying as a couple, please apply INDIVIDUALLY for your chosen roles and include the name of your friend or partner or family member in your application
- We receive a very high number of applications each year. Please allow up to 3 weeks to receive a response on your application – All applications will be contacted whether you are successful or not, but feedback cannot always be provided due to the volume of applications.
We look forward to receiving your application!
Ch teau du Molay - Assistant Cook (EU PASSPORT) - France in Northampton employer: Experience Education
Contact Detail:
Experience Education Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Ch teau du Molay - Assistant Cook (EU PASSPORT) - France in Northampton
✨Tip Number 1
Get your networking game on! Reach out to friends, family, or even former colleagues who might have connections in the hospitality industry. A personal recommendation can go a long way in landing that Assistant Cook role at Chateau Du Molay.
✨Tip Number 2
Don’t underestimate the power of social media! Follow Travelbound and similar companies on platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram. Engage with their posts and show your enthusiasm for the role – it could catch the eye of someone in the hiring team!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your culinary skills and knowledge about dietary requirements. Be ready to discuss how you handle allergens and adapt meals for different cultures – this will show you’re the perfect fit for a diverse kitchen environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and eager to join our team at Chateau Du Molay!
We think you need these skills to ace Ch teau du Molay - Assistant Cook (EU PASSPORT) - France in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking: When you're writing your application, let your love for cooking shine through! Share any experiences you've had in kitchens, especially in busy environments, and how they’ve shaped your skills. We want to see that you’re excited about the role at Chateau Du Molay!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to fit the Assistant Cook role. Highlight relevant experience, especially with high-volume cooking and dietary requirements. We appreciate when applicants take the time to connect their skills to what we’re looking for!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We want to understand your experience and enthusiasm without having to sift through too much fluff!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised as we review all the applications. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Experience Education
✨Know Your Menu
Familiarise yourself with the types of dishes you'll be preparing at Chateau du Molay. Understand the ingredients, allergens, and dietary requirements. This will show your potential employer that you're proactive and ready to contribute from day one.
✨Show Off Your Team Spirit
Since teamwork is key in this role, be prepared to discuss your previous experiences working in a team. Share examples of how you’ve collaborated with others in a busy kitchen environment and how you handle challenges together.
✨Brush Up on Health & Safety
Make sure you have a solid understanding of health and safety regulations, especially those relevant to food hygiene and allergens. Being able to talk confidently about these topics will demonstrate your commitment to maintaining high standards in the kitchen.
✨Practice Your French
If you can speak some French, even at a basic level, it’s worth mentioning during the interview. It shows your willingness to engage with the local culture and communicate with your colleagues and guests, which is a big plus!